Stone chip repair typically costs between $50 and $150 per chip, though many insurance policies cover this service with no deductible, meaning you may pay nothing out of pocket. The final price depends on factors like the chip’s size, location on your windshield, and whether you have comprehensive coverage. If you’re dealing with a stone chip in your windshield, Collision Auto Glass & Calibration in Portland, OR provides transparent pricing and works directly with your insurance to minimize your costs.
Understanding Stone Chip Damage and Why It Matters
A stone chip occurs when a small rock or piece of road debris strikes your windshield, creating a small point of impact. While it might seem minor at first, this type of damage compromises your windshield’s structural integrity and can quickly spread into a larger crack, especially when exposed to temperature changes, vibrations from driving, or additional road stress.
Most stone chips appear as small circular divots with tiny cracks radiating outward, often called “star breaks” or “bull’s eyes” depending on their pattern. The good news is that if the chip is smaller than a quarter and not directly in your line of vision, it can usually be repaired rather than requiring a full windshield replacement. Acting quickly is essential because once a chip spreads into a crack longer than three inches, repair becomes impossible and replacement becomes your only option.
Understanding the difference between repairable and non-repairable damage helps you make informed decisions. Chips located on the outer edge of the windshield or those with deep pitting may not be good candidates for repair, as they’ve already compromised the glass structure too severely. That’s why getting a professional assessment is always your best first step.
Breaking Down the Cost Factors for Stone Chip Repair
The cost of stone chip repair varies based on several key factors. Single chip repairs typically range from $50 to $75 when paying out of pocket, while multiple chips on the same windshield might cost $100 to $150 total. Many repair shops offer discounted rates for additional chips since the technician is already working on your vehicle.
Your location and the repair facility you choose also influence pricing. Mobile repair services that come to your home or workplace may charge a convenience fee of $10 to $25, though this often saves you time and hassle. Premium resin materials and advanced repair techniques might add slightly to the cost, but they typically provide better clarity and longer-lasting results. At Collision Auto Glass & Calibration, we use only high-quality OEM-equivalent materials to ensure your repair meets or exceeds factory specifications.
The most significant cost factor is actually your insurance coverage. Most comprehensive auto insurance policies cover windshield chip repair with zero deductible in many states, including Oregon. This means your insurance company pays the entire cost because they recognize that a $75 repair today prevents a $400 to $800 windshield replacement tomorrow. Always check your policy or ask your repair shop to verify your coverage before assuming you’ll pay out of pocket.
What the Stone Chip Repair Process Involves
Professional stone chip repair is a straightforward process that typically takes 30 to 45 minutes per chip. The technician starts by cleaning the damaged area thoroughly to remove any dirt, glass fragments, or moisture that could interfere with the repair. This preparation step is crucial because any contaminants trapped in the repair will compromise its clarity and strength.
Next, the technician uses a specialized vacuum tool to remove air from the damaged area, then injects a clear, durable resin into the chip under pressure. This resin fills all the tiny cracks and voids, bonding the glass layers back together. The resin is then cured using ultraviolet light, which hardens it to nearly the same strength as the original glass. When you choose expert stone chip repair services, you’re getting a restoration that maintains your windshield’s structural integrity and optical clarity.
After curing, the technician polishes the surface to remove excess resin and ensure a smooth finish. While the repair site may still be slightly visible upon close inspection, it should be nearly invisible from normal driving distance and won’t interfere with your vision. The repaired area is actually stronger than the damaged chip was, and the repair prevents the damage from spreading into costly cracks.
The Benefits of Repairing Stone Chips Promptly
Addressing stone chip damage quickly offers significant advantages beyond just cost savings. First and foremost, prompt repair maintains your windshield’s structural role in your vehicle’s safety system. Your windshield provides up to 45% of the structural integrity in a front-end collision and up to 60% in a rollover accident. Even a small chip weakens this critical safety component.
Timely repair also prevents the chip from spreading. Temperature fluctuations, which are common in Portland’s climate with its cool mornings and warmer afternoons, cause glass to expand and contract. This stress can turn a small chip into a long crack in just hours or days. Once that happens, repair is no longer possible and you’re looking at a replacement that costs five to ten times more than a simple chip repair would have.
Additionally, many states have laws regarding windshield damage and visibility. While Oregon doesn’t have specific regulations about chip size, driving with obstructed vision is illegal and could result in a citation. More importantly, damaged glass affects your ability to see clearly, especially when sunlight or headlights hit the damaged area at certain angles. Repairing chips maintains optimal visibility and keeps you safer on the road.
Common Questions and Concerns About Chip Repair
Many drivers worry that stone chip repair won’t be permanent or that the damage will simply return. When performed correctly using quality materials, chip repairs are permanent and should last the lifetime of your windshield. The specialized resin used in professional windshield chip repair has similar properties to automotive glass and won’t yellow, crack, or deteriorate over time under normal conditions.
Another common concern is whether the repair will be noticeable. While no repair can make the damage completely invisible, professional repair should make the chip nearly undetectable from normal viewing angles. You might notice a slight mark when looking directly at it, but it shouldn’t distort your vision or be obvious to passengers. The goal is to restore structural integrity while minimizing visual impact.
Some people also wonder if they should file an insurance claim for such a small repair. In most cases, yes—especially since many policies cover chip repair with no deductible. Filing a claim for chip repair typically won’t raise your rates because it’s considered a comprehensive claim rather than a collision claim, and it prevents more expensive damage. Your repair shop can usually handle the insurance paperwork for you, making the process completely hassle-free.
Why Portland Drivers Choose Collision Auto Glass & Calibration
Portland’s unique driving environment—from rainy winter conditions to summer road construction—creates plenty of opportunities for stone chips. Our local expertise means we understand the specific challenges Portland drivers face and how our climate affects windshield damage. We’ve built our reputation on fast, reliable service that fits into your busy schedule, whether you’re in downtown Portland, the Pearl District, or surrounding areas like Beaverton and Lake Oswego.
Collision Auto Glass & Calibration stands out because we combine technical excellence with exceptional customer service. Our technicians receive ongoing training in the latest repair techniques and work with advanced equipment that ensures precise, lasting repairs. We’re also fully certified and insured, giving you peace of mind that your vehicle is in capable hands. We handle all insurance communications directly, removing the hassle and confusion from the claims process.
Beyond just fixing chips, we take a comprehensive approach to your auto glass needs. If your vehicle has advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane departure warning or automatic braking, we provide the necessary recalibration services after any glass work. This attention to detail ensures your safety systems function exactly as designed, which is critical in modern vehicles where windshield replacement or repair can affect sensor alignment.
Don’t Wait—Stone Chips Get Worse, Not Better
Time is your enemy when it comes to windshield damage. That small chip you’re thinking about ignoring won’t stay small for long. Every mile you drive, every bump in the road, and every temperature swing puts stress on the damaged area, encouraging it to spread into an expensive crack that requires full windshield replacement.
Most insurance policies actively encourage prompt repair by covering chip repair at no cost to you, but that same policy will likely require you to pay a deductible—often $250 to $500—for windshield replacement. The choice between a free repair today and a $500 expense next week should be an easy one. Plus, driving with windshield damage puts you and your passengers at risk since the glass can’t provide its designed safety protection.
If you’ve noticed a stone chip in your windshield, don’t put it off another day. Contact Collision Auto Glass & Calibration at (503) 656-3500 to schedule your repair or get a free damage assessment. Our Portland, OR team provides same-day service in most cases, and we’ll work directly with your insurance company to ensure you get the coverage you’re entitled to. Your windshield protects you—let us protect your windshield with professional care you can trust.