Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have Autoglass Questions about windshield crack repair, chip repair, or full windshield replacement?
Below are Autoglass Questions in which, Fix-A-Crack — a veteran-owned, McAllen, TX auto glass shop serving the Rio Grande Valley — answers the most common questions about our services, pricing, insurance coverage, and Texas windshield laws.
1. Should I repair a windshield crack even if it’s not in my line of sight?
Yes. Fix-A-Crack repairs a windshield crack or chip as long as it meets accepted safety criteria — even if it sits outside your direct line of sight. A repairable break is generally shorter than a dollar bill (about six inches), isn’t within the ADAS camera’s view, and hasn’t spread significantly. Windshields provide up to 60% of a vehicle’s structural integrity in a rollover, so even a corner chip weakens that protection. Left alone, temperature swings and road vibration on Rio Grande Valley highways can turn a small chip into a crack that requires full replacement. Every Fix-A-Crack repair is warranted for as long as you own the vehicle.
2. Do you install windshields compatible with rain-sensing wipers or lane departure warning sensors?
Yes. Our technicians are certified in Sika, DOW, and Dinitrol urethane systems through Auto Glass University, Auto Glass Academy, Equalizer, the National Windshield Repair Association, and Delta Kit — training that covers rain-sensing wiper modules, forward-collision cameras, and lane departure warning sensors built into today’s windshields. If your vehicle’s ADAS camera sits behind the glass, federal guidelines require recalibration after replacement, and we perform that calibration in-house rather than sending your vehicle elsewhere. Every replacement is also tested with ultrasonic leak-detection equipment, which you’re welcome to watch us use. safewindshields.org We can answer your Autoglass Questions.
3. How is a windshield repair performed?
A windshield chip repair involves cleaning the break, drawing out trapped air and moisture, then injecting a clear resin under pressure so it fully fills the crack. UV light cures the resin in minutes, bonding it to the surrounding glass and restoring most of the windshield’s strength. It won’t erase the damage completely, but a proper repair stops the crack from spreading and keeps the windshield safe to drive on.
4. How long does it take to repair a windshield?
Most chip and short-crack repairs at our McAllen shop take between 20 and 45 minutes, and many customers wait in their vehicle while the work is done. Mobile chip repair is also available by appointment, subject to a service fee and availability, if you can’t make it to our Pecan Blvd location.
5. How long does it take to replace a windshield?
This is one of the best Autoglass Questions: Full windshield replacement typically takes one to two hours in the shop, but total time also depends on the urethane’s minimum safe drive-away time — how long the adhesive must cure before it’s safe to drive on it in a crash. Fix-A-Crack uses a 1-hour minimum drive-away urethane as standard and offers 30-minute express glue when you’re in a hurry, with longer 2-hour, 4-hour, or 24-hour options used in certain weather or vehicle conditions. If your car needs ADAS camera recalibration after replacement, plan for additional time before you drive away.
6. Does Texas law require me to repair windshield damage?
Texas doesn’t have a specific statute banning cracked windshields, and a vehicle with minor damage can typically still pass the state’s mandatory inspection. What state inspection standards do prohibit is damage that distorts the glass’s shape — cracks that make the windshield visibly convex or concave — or damage that obstructs the driver’s field of view. As a rule of thumb, a chip or crack is generally repairable if it’s shorter than a dollar bill, sits outside the driver’s direct view, and isn’t within the windshield camera’s field of view; anything beyond that usually calls for replacement.
7. How much does windshield replacement cost?
Replacement cost depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year, and whether the windshield includes rain sensors, a heads-up display, or an ADAS camera requiring recalibration — all of which add to the price. Fix-A-Crack prices to meet or beat national chains and often matches dealership pricing, and we offer free in-shop estimates at 304 E. Pecan Blvd, Suite P, in McAllen, plus Afterpay financing if you’d rather split the cost. Read about financing and refunds. This post will answer one of the biggest: Autoglass Questions.
8. Will my insurance cover my windshield repair or replacement?
Often, yes. Fix-A-Crack works directly with USAA, Farmers, GEICO, Allstate, Nationwide, Ameriprise, Progressive, State Farm, and roughly 70 other insurers nationwide. Comprehensive coverage frequently pays for windshield repair with no deductible at all, since insurers would rather cover a low-cost repair than a full replacement claim later. For replacements, coverage depends on your deductible and policy terms. Our team will call your insurance company with you on the line to verify coverage and help file the claim, so you’re not stuck sorting through paperwork alone.
Have more questions about windshield repair, auto glass replacement, or ADAS calibration? Call Fix-A-Crack at 956-360-0178 or stop by 304 E. Pecan Blvd, Suite P, McAllen, TX to schedule your service.