Windscreen chips are an unfortunate part of driving on Australia’s roads. Especially as recent extreme weather has broken up bitumen across the country, leaving stones and debris lying in wait. Passing road traffic can cause loose stones to bounce up from the road and hit your windscreen glass at any time, potentially causing a chip.
If you do get a chip in your windscreen, it’s important to get it checked out and repaired as soon as possible. That’s because your windscreen chip can easily become a crack at any time, and often when you least expect it – possibly costing you a new windscreen!
If your windscreen is cracked, it is recommended that you replace it. It takes approximately 90 minutes to replace a windscreen and, depending on the type of RV you own, you may be able to arrange for the windscreen provider to come to you.
If your windscreen is chipped, it should always be attempted to repair the chip rather than replace the windscreen. In fact, it’s faster, cheaper and greener to do so!
That being said, it is recommended to replace any vehicle’s windscreen if there is:
- A chip larger than an Australian $1 coin
- A crack longer than 25mm
- Either impeding the driver’s vision
There may be other reasons why replacing your windscreen could be recommended, and this advice can be provided once an inspection has been completed.
Windscreen Chip Repair
Your windscreen should be assessed first by a qualified technician, so they can provide a windscreen chip repair. If you have a windscreen chip, it’s important to get it checked and fixed quickly, as it could crack at any time.
Once the work is completed, the chip will be almost invisible, and the windscreen will be strong again. Windscreens can usually be repaired in around 30 minutes, and you can drive away immediately.
Windscreen Replacement
A good specialist technician with experience in RVs like O’Brien Glass is essential, with an RV windscreen replacement taking anywhere from 1 to 2 or more hours. Your RV will then be safe to drive in about 15 minutes.
How much does a windscreen repair or replacement cost?
The cost of fixing your RV glass depends on several factors, including the size and position of your damage, and the make, model and age of your vehicle.
If you have insurance
If you are insured with KT Insurance, glass cover is an automatic inclusion, with no excess payable for chip repairs and a $200 excess for replacement windscreens. If you are not insured with KT and not sure what your policy covers, you should contact your insurance provider to find out.
There are 2 steps that I suggest to KT customers who have experienced windscreen damage:
- Cover the chip to prevent dirt or debris from getting into it
If dirt or debris gets in, it can contaminate your chip and continue to show even once your chip is repaired. Temporarily covering the chip with a piece of clear tape from the outside will help to maintain the cosmetic quality of the chip once it has been repaired. Just make sure it doesn’t obscure the driver’s vision in any way.
Remember, though, that this will not prevent the chip from cracking – which brings us to step 2…
- Call KT to book a windscreen inspection
Once you’ve covered your chip, jump on the phone to us on 1300 261 261 (or for after-hours, you can call O’Brien direct on 13 13 16) and organise a time that suits you to have your windscreen inspected.
When you book a time to get your windscreen inspected, you can choose between visiting a local auto glass repairer or where available, having a mobile technician come to you, whatever is most convenient!
Once a proper assessment of your windscreen is performed and determined that it can be repaired, it will take just 30 minutes to repair. If a chip is too big to be repaired or too close to the edge of the windscreen, we will organise to replace your windscreen instead.
Remember, it doesn’t take much for a chip to turn into a crack, but a chip repair is faster, greener and cheaper, so it’s always recommended you act as soon as you first see your windscreen is chipped.
To learn more about KT Insurance, or to obtain a quote, visit ktinsurance.com.au or call 1300 261 261.