Safety First

• Whenever your windshield is damaged, it's best to pull over and survey the damage. Small cracks or chips probably won't affect your ability to drive the car, but larger damages can. Check for holes or gaps in the glass or any loose pieces that might fall out while you're driving. If the windshield damage makes it hard for the driver to see, you shouldn't drive the car. If the damage is minimal and there aren't any loose pieces of glass, you can drive to somewhere safe and protected from the elements so if there's rain or such it won't further damage the windshield, or the car's interior.
  
  

Making a Claim

• It is best to report your claim before you go to have it fixed. Make sure that your insurance covers the damage and find out what options they have for you to fix your vehicle. Some insurance providers may require you to go to a specific shop, or to get estimates before the repair. Your insurance provider will also be able to tell you how much your deductible for the repair will be.
  
  

Deductibles

• The deductible is the amount of money you pay toward a repair on your car, while the insurance provider pays for any amount over that price. Many windshield repairs are relatively inexpensive. If the price of repairing or replacing your windshield is $250, and your deductible is $500, you may have to pay for the repair yourself and there may be no sense in filing a claim.
  
  

Replace vs. Repair

• There is an exception to the deductible math, however. Some insurance providers will waive the deductible for certain types of damage -- chips, cracks, etc. -- if you get it repaired rather than replacing your windshield. This means that a crack in your windshield that is clean and fresh, and thus a good candidate for safe repair, may cost you nothing to fix. Repairing minor damage is relatively easy and inexpensive and can take as little as half an hour.