A chip on your vehicle windscreen can be a distressing situation, stuck between not knowing whether you need a repair or replacement. Our My Glass information guide can assist in seconds, helping you save time, money and keeps glass out of our country’s landfills.
Quick Decision Guide
A chip can be repaired when:
- The chip is the size of a R2 coin or smaller,
- The chip is not located in the drivers A Zone,
- The chip is away from the glass edge and has not spread.
The sooner you attend to the chip the better. New or fresh chips repair best as moisture and dust have not entered the break. Repairs can take less than 30 to 40 minutes to repair.
Most comprehensive insurers in South Africa cover chip repair with little or no excess. If you are still unsure if the repair can be done, you can WhatsApp a photo to My Glass and we will respond immediately with advice during business hours.
A windscreen replacement is needed when:
- The damage is in the A-zone or close to the edge
- There are long or branching cracks, multiple chips, deep impacts, or older contaminated damage that will not clear optically.
Replacement is also best for your vehicle when visibility remains distorted after an attempted repair or when structural integrity is in doubt. For vehicles with ADAS cameras or sensors mounted to the windscreen, replacement often requires recalibration to keep lane keeping and AEB accurate. You can expect to have this done on site within 1 and a half hours.
Simple Flow
| Factor | Repair | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower. Often excess free depending on policy | Higher. Excess may apply |
| Time on site | About 30 to 40 minutes | 1.5 to 3 hours plus calibration if needed |
| ADAS impact | Not usually affected | Recalibration often required |
| Environment | No new glass | New glass |
| Best when | Small, clean, stable chip | A zone, edge, deep, long, or multiple chips |
Book My Fitment or Chip Repair · Call 0861 694 527 or https://myglass.co.za/book/
Why we repair first
Cost
Repairing a chip avoids the price of a new full windscreen and helps keep policy costs, including future insurance premiums, in check. In South Africa many comprehensive insurers treat chip repair ( LINK TO https://myglass.co.za/book/ ) favourably with little or no excess. Even without insurance a repair is typically a fraction of the cost of replacement. My Glass will assess the site, explain the likely outcome, and proceed only if a repair is the right call.
Time
Most chip repairs take about 30 to 40 minutes. We clean the break, apply resin under vacuum, cure it, and polish for clarity. You are back on the road quickly. Replacements take longer up to 1 and a half hours on site, especially when ADAS calibration is required. Our mobile service team can complete the job while you carry on with your day.
Environment
Laminated windscreens contain a PVB interlayer that is difficult to recycle. Preventing a full replacement reduces glass waste, adhesives, packaging, and transport emissions. A small repair today often extends the life of your windscreen by years.
When Replacement Is the Safer Call
A zone and edge proximity
Edge stress can turn a small chip into a long crack with fluctuating temperatures changes, twisting or vibration. In these cases, replacement restores optical clarity and structural confidence.
Size, depth, and spread
Deep chips, long or branching cracks, and multiple impacts indicate compromised glass. Even if the damage looks stable, changes in temperature can cause sudden propagation. Replacement resets the structural baseline. We will specify the correct screen for your VIN, including rain or light sensors, acoustic layers, HUD and ADAS brackets, where fitted originally.
Optical expectation
Repairs restore strength and improve clarity but can leave a faint mark, especially on large, older or contaminated chips. If visibility remains distorted in your driving line, replacement is the responsible path. We explain expected optics before any work, so you are never surprised.
Side and rear glass
Side and rear windows are toughened tempered glass. They are designed to shatter safely and are not repairable. If they are damaged, replacement is the correct remedy.
What ADAS is
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems rely on cameras and sensors that often look through the windscreen to enable lane keeping, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and more. A new windscreen can alter the camera angle / relationship to the road, so the system will need recalibration to ensure accurate detection and response.
Static and dynamic recalibration
Some vehicles need static calibration in a controlled environment with targets placed at precise distances and heights. Others need dynamic calibration performed on a prescribed road route at set speeds. Many models require a combination. My Glass identifies the correct method for your make and model, follows manufacturer procedures, and only uses certified equipment to bring the ADAS systems back within tolerance.
Proof you can trust
After replacement, we complete the required calibration and provide a calibration report or certificate that shows your ADAS is operating within manufacturer specifications. Keep this with your service records for insurance and future resale peace of mind.
Safe Drive Away Time
Your windscreen is part of the vehicle structure. We use high-spec polyurethanes with known cure times and advise a Safe Drive Away Time based on temperature, humidity, and adhesive system. We only hand over when it is safe to do so, and we tell you exactly when the car is ready safe to drive.
Standards and Quality You Can Trust in South Africa
SANS 1191 and SABS
In South Africa, safety glass must meet SANS 1191 and pass SABS testing, including impact and optical checks such as the drop ball test. We only fit glass that meets these requirements, and we follow a documented process that aligns with OEM local methodologies. This is your assurance that safety, visibility and structural performance meet the standards intended for South African roads.
OEM and OEE-approved glass
Where possible, we fit OEM or OEE-approved brands matched to your vehicle specification, including acoustic interlayers, rain or light sensors, HUD compatibility and ADAS brackets. That preserves cabin comfort sensor functions and resale value. My Glass will explain the options so you can choose confidently.
Adhesives and primers
We use OE high-spec polyurethane systems and primers designed for automotive structural bonding. Correct surface preparation, control of humidity and temperature and bead geometry are essential. Our technicians follow a repeatable method that ensures bond strength and leak integrity.
Warranty
You receive a clear lifetime workmanship warranty that covers fitment and leak integrity, and you get responsive support if anything needs attention afterwards.
Insurance and Excess Made Simple in South Africa
Excess free chip repair when your policy allows
Many South African comprehensive insurers favour chip repairs with low or no excess. Replacement typically follows your excess and authorisation rules. We will explain both options up front so you can choose the path that makes sense.
Our three-step help
- Assess: Send a photo or book a quick check, and a qualified technician confirms repair or replacement.
- Authorise: In most cases, we take care of the insurance administration by submitting the claim directly to your insurance company and obtaining authorisation.
- We schedule mobile fitment at your home or office, complete any ADAS calibration, and hand over with documentation.
What we need from you
Have your policy number, vehicle details or VIN and photos of the damage ready. If your car has ADAS, note the features such as lane keeping or AEB. Tell us your preferred date and time, and location. We will handle the rest and keep you posted at each step.
Time and Convenience
On-site times
Plan for about 30 to 40 minutes for most chip repairs and 1.5 to 2 hours for replacements, plus calibration where required. We confirm timing when we see your vehicle and the damage type. If weather or model-specific steps might extend the visit, we will tell you up front.
Mobile fitment
We come to you at home or office, or just about anywhere, so you do not lose hours taking time off work, battling traffic or sitting in a waiting room. Our service vehicles carry the correct tools, adhesives and calibration equipment where mobile calibration is supported for your model. If static calibration is required, we arrange the nearest facility and bundle it into a smooth appointment-based process.
Transparent next steps
You will know exactly what will happen on the day. Technician arrival assessment, repair or replacement, curing, recalibration if needed and handover. We will brief you on Safe Drive Away Time and any short-term care tips to protect the new bond.
FAQs
Can I drive with a chip?
Yes, but vibration and temperature swings can turn a chip into a crack. Contaminations could also impact the end result therefore you should repair early to avoid a replacement.
How soon should I repair it?
As soon as possible. Fresh and clean chips repair best and give the clearest result.
Will a repair be invisible?
Repairs restore strength and improve clarity. Depending on the impact damage, a faint blemish can sometimes remain visible, especially with large, older or contaminated damage.
Do you handle ADAS recalibration?
Yes. If we replace the windscreen, we identify the correct static or dynamic method, complete the calibration and issue a digitised report.
Will a chip repair affect my insurance or premiums?
Policies differ, but many South African insurers favour repairs with low or no excess. We will check your terms but, in most cases, no there is no impact on your premium. Excess free repairs are policy dependent.
What if the chip cracks before my appointment?
Contact us immediately. We will reassess. Replacement may be required to keep you safe and legal.
Do you cover my area?
Yes. Mobile fitment is available across most service regions. Tell us your suburb and we will confirm availability.
Book My Fitment or Repair · Call 0861 694 527
The final repair or replace decision is made by a qualified South African technician, the products will be to OEM, SANS and SABS standards.