November in the High Desert brings warm afternoons, cold nights, and busy holiday roads. All three put extra stress on a windshield that already has a chip.

If you have been putting off a small rock chip, now is a good time to take care of it. At Cali Auto Glass, most chip repairs are completed in 30 minutes or less, and a repair costs less than replacing the whole windshield.

Wait too long, and that chip can become a crack. Once a crack grows larger than a quarter, the windshield will need to be replaced.

• 30 min or less for most chip repairs*
• < Quarter: typical size limit for a repairable chip*
• Up to 3 chips we can repair on one windshield*
• ~30°F average daily temperature swing in November**

*Cali Auto Glass repair guidelines. Final eligibility is confirmed at inspection.
**Victorville daily averages based on NOAA historical data.

Why Do Rock Chips Spread When It Gets Cold?

Glass expands and contracts as the temperature changes. A chip is a weak point in the glass, and that stress tends to concentrate right where the damage is.

That matters here. In early November, Victorville averages highs in the low 70s and lows around 40°F. By late November, average lows drop into the mid-30s. On an average November day, that is a swing of about 30 degrees between afternoon and early morning.

Go easy on the defroster. Pointing high heat at a cold windshield creates a sharp temperature difference across the glass, which can cause an existing chip or crack to spread. Start the defroster on a lower setting and let the glass warm up gradually.

Holiday Road Trips Add Up

Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday of the year for travel. Last year, AAA projected a record 81.8 million Thanksgiving travelers, with about 73 million of them traveling by car.

Long highway drives mean more miles of road vibration, rough pavement, and gravel. Rough roads flex the windshield, which can widen existing damage. If you are heading down the I-15 for Thanksgiving on November 26, getting that chip repaired first can save you from a bigger problem on the road.

Can My Chip Be Repaired?

Repair works by filling the damaged area with a special resin that bonds to the glass and strengthens the weak point. Here is how Cali Auto Glass decides between repair and replacement:

• Size: Repair is usually possible when the damage is smaller than a quarter. Replacement is usually needed when a crack has grown larger than a quarter.
• Location: Repair is usually possible when the damage is not directly in the driver’s line of sight or in front of a camera. Replacement is usually needed when it is in the driver’s line of sight, or at the edge of the windshield.
• Depth: Repair is usually possible when the damage is surface level, not too deep. Replacement is usually needed for deeper damage.
• Number: Repair is usually possible for up to 3 chips, each smaller than a quarter. Replacement is usually needed for larger or multiple cracks.

Not sure which one you have? Our AGSC-accredited technicians will inspect it and tell you. Appointments are often available the same or next day at our Victorville service center.

Will Insurance Cover a Chip Repair?

Glass damage is usually covered under the comprehensive part of an auto policy. Liability-only insurance does not cover damage to your own glass.

Many insurers waive deductibles for windshield chip repairs, which may make your repair free. That is one more reason to fix a chip while it is still small.

Cali Auto Glass is a preferred insurance vendor. We work directly with insurers including State Farm, Farmers, GEICO, Allstate, Mercury, The Hartford, and 21st Century, and we handle the paperwork for you. Paying out of pocket? We offer financing with as little as $20 down on invoices of $300 or more! Ask us about your options.

Check your own policy. Coverage and deductible waivers vary by policy. California does not require insurers to waive glass deductibles, so contact your insurance company to verify your coverage before your appointment, or ask us and we can help you check.

Quick Tips to Keep a Chip From Spreading

Until you can get it repaired:

• Warm the windshield gradually. Don’t blast the defroster on cold glass.
• Never pour hot water on a frosty windshield.
• Avoid slamming doors on cold mornings. Cold glass is less flexible, and the vibration travels through the windshield.
• Don’t wait for rain. If moisture gets into a chip and freezes, it can force the glass apart.
• Schedule the repair as soon as you can. A chip that is repaired early is less likely to need a full replacement.

Want an Extra Layer of Protection?

After your chip is repaired, ask us about XPEL Windshield Protection Film. XPEL designed it to help protect windshields from rocks and road debris. It adds a protective layer, but it does not make a windshield unbreakable.

Fix Your Chip Before the Holidays

Serving Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, and Adelanto. Most chip repairs take 30 minutes or less, and appointments are often available the same or next day.

Get a quote or call (760) 885-0380.