Have you been a victim of a windshield crack on your RV? There are two likely culprits for damage to RV windshields – flying debris and stress cracks.

Flying debris, like rocks, can sometimes cause large cracks or more commonly, a star, ding or chip. If your windshield becomes dinged or chipped, repair it as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

As your RV gets older, a common problem arises – stress cracks in the windshield. Stress cracks are part of normal wear and tear and are not caused by flying debris or other impact. Instead, as the RV body flexes more around the windshield, it binds the glass and causes it to weaken.

Make sure you’re covered for mishaps and breakdowns with Good Sam Roadside Assistance because nobody ever plans to break down.

Should you repair or replace your windshield?

Repairing a chip is fast and often won’t cost you much. Many insurance companies will waive your deductible if you repair a chip. It certainly beats replacing a cracked windshield down the road. Repair the windshield if the damage is small (about the size of a quarter) and contained to the outer layer of glass.

If you neglect a chip for too long, it may become a crack. A cracked windshield should be replaced immediately. Additionally, if the ding is deeper than the first layer of the windshield – penetrating the inner plastic or the inner glass – it will require replacing.

Any windshield damage that obstructs the driver’s view is illegal. Most insurance companies do not recommend repairing chips in the driver’s line of vision area but recommend replacement instead.

What questions should you ask your insurance company?

• -Do you waive the deductible for windshield chip repair?
• -Is the damage eligible for repair?
• -Do you have a list of approved service centers?

What questions should you ask the glass service center?

• -Do you offer mobile service?
• -What kind of warranty do you offer?
• -What repair process do you use?
• -Do you use original equipment manufacturer (oem) parts?
• -How soon can I use my vehicle after it’s repaired?

Keep your windshield crack-free and enjoy the view! This article brought to you by Good Sam Roadside Assistance, the leader in RV emergency road service.