Auto Glass FAQ

Browse some of the frequently asked questions we have been asked.

I have a broken windshield, do I need to contact my insurance company to start a claim?
No. As part of our hassle free service, we will take care of everything for you! Including making that initial contact with your insurance company.

Will my insurance cover the cost of windshield replacement?
Yes, if you have comprehensive insurance coverage you will likely be covered. Comprehensive Insurance covers damaged glass caused by: Flying rocks or road debris striking and breaking your vehicle’s glass; Break-ins; Vandalism and other accidental breakages. Your comprehensive deductible is the only out of pocket expense you will incur.

Who will handle billing my insurance company?
As an authorized service provider for all insurance companies, we will handle all of your paperwork. We will bill your insurance company directly, making the process hassle free for you!

Will an auto glass claim on my insurance affect my insurance rates?
No. This is because glass replacement in most cases falls under your comprehensive insurance and not your collision insurance. You would have to have many comprehensive claims in a year in order for the insurance company to review your premium.

Will my insurance company require me to obtain more than one estimate for the job?
No. The reason for this is that pricing for all insurance companies is based on NAGS (National Auto Glass Specifications) pricing.

Will my insurance company pay for my stone chip repair?
Yes! if you have comprehensive coverage your insurer will pay for the repair with no deductible.

Will you waive my insurance deductible?
No. In BC it is illegal to wave insurance deductibles; it is considered fraud. Any glass shop who is caught waving deductibles not only risks the loss of their ICBC vendor license and their status as an authorized service provider for the private insurance companies, but they could also face legal charges.

I don’t have comprehensive insurance. How much will it cost to replace my windshield or other auto glass part?
We would be happy to provide you with a quotation. Click here to request a quote or give us a call at 250-383-9300.

Should I have my rock chip repaired
In almost all cases you should have it repaired unless: a) The rock chip is directly in the driver’s line of vision. b) The rock chip is more than a few months old.
After rock chips appear, do not put anything on the windshield except water or window cleaner. You may be tempted to apply cleansers, rain repellents, soap, baby oil, foreign chemicals, glue, vinegar, fingernail polish, or other “home remedies”, but these products will only make it more difficult to repair.

If I have a stone chip in my windshield should I tend to its repair right away or is it okay to wait?
The sooner you have it repaired the better. If the ding is small, we can most likely repair it. That means our certified technicians can “mend” the break without replacing your entire windshield. The longer you wait to repair it, the more chance the chip will spread; especially in cold weather, and if the chip gets too big, it may become irreparable. Also, if dirt and debris built up inside the chip a repair will be less effective. So call us today!

What kind of damage can be repaired?
Stone damage or stone “chips” up to the size of a loonie can be repaired. Best results are obtained if the repair is done before the damaged area is contaminated from washing or inclement weather. A rock chip is usually round or star-shaped and may have lines radiating from the center. It has a black or silver color to it. If your rock chip looks like a white speck in the glass and has no dark areas, then this should not be repaired. It is only a nick.

How is a damaged windshield repaired?
Basically, the process consists of injecting a specially formulated resin into the damaged area. When the damaged area has been completely filled, it is exposed to an ultraviolet light which cures the resin. This restores 100% of the structural integrity and in most cases, a good deal of the clarity on the damaged area.

How long does a stone chip repair take?
Typically, a repair takes about half an hour, start to finish. For more than one chip add about fifteen minutes each.

How will the windshield look after repair?
When looking through the glass, vision should not be impaired. If vision is impaired, the windshield should be replaced. Your rock chip should become noticeably clearer when repaired. However, clarity is dependent upon the size, age, amount of glass missing from the center and the quantity of fragmented glass within the break. Note: chemicals applied to the rock chip may prevent the windshield repair resin from adhering to the glass. Optical clarity varies from 90 to 100%

How long will you need my car for a windshield replacement?
While many windshield adhesives (urethanes) require a 4 hour cure time before the vehicle can be safely driven; at First Response Glass we use only Essex #1 and Sika Drive urethanes. These are high quality, fast cure urethanes that allow for a 1-hour safe drive away time. We make every attempt to have the vehicle back in your possession within 3 to 4 hours. However, since quality control is most important to us, we may require your vehicle to stay a little longer.

What kind of warranty will I receive on my windshield replacement?
First Response Glass offers a Lifetime no leak warranty. Please visit the Our Warranty page for more details.

I want to claim my broken auto glass on my insurance. What do I have to do?
Phone us or drop by our office. It’s as simple as that. We will look after the entire insurance claim process for you and will do our very best to make the experience hassle-free for you! For more information on claims, see our Insurance Claims page.

What’s the difference between my windshield and the other glass in my car?
There’s a very important difference between your windshield and the rest of the auto glass in your car. Your windshield is made of LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS. What makes it unique is its special construction, designed to offer optimum safety in the event of a crash. LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS is made up of two pieces of glass, with a thin layer of vinyl sandwiched between them. The three pieces are laminated together by applying heat and pressure in a special oven called an autoclave. When a small object strikes a piece of laminated safety glass, often only the outer layer struck breaks. This is what makes windshield rock chip repair possible. In a more severe impact, the glass “shatters” but does not fly apart – the broken pieces of glass adhere to the vinyl inner lining, preventing shards of glass from flying into the passenger area. Your side and rear windows are made of TEMPERED GLASS. As the name implies, the glass has been “tempered,” put through a special process where it is heated, then rapidly cooled. This process makes the glass many times stronger than untempered glass of the same thickness. Tempered glass does not shatter on impact. Rather, it disintegrates into tiny little pieces. There are no large, jagged pieces of auto glass to injure the driver or passengers. The force necessary to shatter a piece of tempered glass is considerably greater than an untempered piece.