It is true that auto glass is prone to cracks or breakages and when that happens, either replacement or repair is needed, depending on the extent of the damage done to the windshield.

Windshield cracks occur for a variety of reasons - a small stone or some other object impacts the car's windshield while you are driving or even when the vehicle is parked.

They say 'a stitch in time saves nine'. Seemingly, even the smallest cracks can spread fast on a car's windshield – more so, in extreme weather conditions the crack may spread even faster than expected.

Windshields are susceptible to cracks and breakages because manufacturers produce toughened auto glass under enormous physical pressure. Please remember that because auto glass is very high in molecular density, this obviously causes cracks to spread rapidly. In short, even minor cracks in an auto windshield can lead to major repairs or replacement.

There may be occasions when you may have to decide between repairing your windshield and replacing it. Auto windshield replacement may be more expensive but sometimes maybe unavoidable. The only practical alternative is to repair the windshield. The fact is also there that most of the insurance companies today will accept a windshield repair claim.

In fact, many insurance companies would even prefer to waive their client's deductible if they prefer to repair the auto windshield rather than replace it.

Please also bear in mind that repairing a windshield crack instead of replacing it, keeps the windshield's original factory seal.

Yet another heartening piece of news is - large auto glass cracks and scratches can be repaired. There are new repair solutions for auto glass known as PRISM (pre-resin injection suspension method). This technology involves a number of techniques that include the injection of different resins into the windshield's crack.

There are today service technicians that are fully trained and capable of repairing/replacing windshields and all other forms of auto glass. Windshield crack repairs can invariably be completed within an hour and most of these repairs are covered by insurance companies.

Unfortunately, windshield repair may not be feasible for large cracks. If such a thing occurs, the only choice the auto owner has is to replace the vehicle's windshield.

Auto safety norms stipulate that any motor vehicle should have a proper windshield free from scratches or cracks. This is understandable as the driver's vision is important to steer the vehicle effectively.