If you spend any amount of time on the roads, the chances are you will at some point ending up with a damaged windshield. After all, you don't need to be involved in a collision in order for your windshield to get damaged, and neither do you need to be a victim of vandalism. All it takes is for a small stone to be kicked up by a passing vehicle, or even by any vehicle driving directly in front of you. In fact, if you think back, you've probably already witnessed the sound of a stone hitting your windshield in the past.

For some obscure reason, the vast majority of motorists tend to ignore a cracked windscreen, and they go about using their vehicle as if nothing at all has happened. What many of these people don't realize is the fact that it's actually illegal to do so in most developed countries. What's even more ludicrous is the fact that drivers don't realize just how dangerous it can be to drive a vehicle that has a cracked windshield.

While the crack may only be a few inches long, it certainly won't stay that way if you ignore it. The stress a vehicle is subjected to during day to day operation will inevitably cause the crack to worsen, and at some point the integrity of the windshield will become weakened to such an extent that there is a risk of in imploding, which of course will almost certainly result in a serious accident. If or when that happens, you're going to have a lot of questions to answer, both to the police, and also to your insurance company.

Fortunately, getting a damaged windshield repaired or replaced no longer a problem, and neither is it as expensive as what many people believe. Providing you act quickly, small cracks can be successfully repaired, and the great thing is you'll find an abundance of auto glass shops all over the country, which in turn has brought the costs down considerably. Depending on the severity of the crack, your windshield may need to be replaced, and if that's the case, then it's always advisable to shop around for quotes.

When shopping around for quotes, your best bet is to do so online, but you also need to make sure you cover all your wickets. In other words, don't only contact auto glass shops, but instead, check out car dealerships, as well as regular repair centers. For windshield replacements, many websites feature an automatic quoting system. You simply key in certain details regarding your vehicle, such as the make, model, and year of manufacture, add the cost is quoted to you instantly.

Remember though, in most cases, you will also have to wait for a day or two once you've accepted a quote, given that the repair shop may not have a spare windshield in stock. And, if you're a person that really appreciated convenience, you can even find mobile repair centers. That's right, these people will even come to your home and replace or repair your windshield while you're watching your favorite television program.