REPAIR / RESIN INJECTION
Windscreen chip repair cost UK, when to repair vs replace.
A windscreen chip repair costs £40 to £70 and is usually free on comprehensive insurance with no excess and no impact on your no-claims bonus. Get it done within days, not weeks. A chip left through one winter becomes a £400 replacement.
Repair
£40 - £70
30 minutes, often £0 on insurance
- + No excess on most comprehensive policies
- + No effect on no-claims bonus
- + Drive away immediately
- + Repair carries a lifetime warranty from major chains
Replace
£250 - £800
1 to 2 hours, glass excess applies
- x Glass excess £75 to £100 typical
- x ADAS recalibration adds £150 to £400
- x Half a day off the road
- x Adhesive needs 24 hours for full cure
SIZE LEGEND
Is the chip repairable? Compare it to a coin.
Repair eligibility comes down to size, location and whether the damage has spread. Hold a 2p coin (about 25mm) over the chip as a quick test.
Star and bullseye chips up to a small pea size are the simplest job, 20 to 30 minutes.
Smaller than a 2p coin. Most fitters will repair if it is not in Zone A and not at the edge.
Larger than a 2p coin or a crack longer than 50mm: most fitters will recommend replacement.
Quick eligibility check
- Q1
Smaller than a £2 coin (25mm)?
YES: Yes -> next check.
NO: No -> replacement likely.
- Q2
Outside Zone A (the 290mm strip in front of the driver)?
YES: Yes -> next check.
NO: No -> repair only if under 10mm.
- Q3
More than 25mm away from the edge of the glass?
YES: Yes -> next check.
NO: No -> edge cracks usually need replacement.
- Q4
Not already started cracking outwards?
YES: Yes -> book a chip repair.
NO: No -> replacement is the safe call.
Who repairs windscreen chips?
Halfords
around £45
Walk-in service at most stores. Drive Plus members get a discount.
Autoglass
around £55 to £75
Mobile, comes to you. Default repairer for many insurers.
National Windscreens
around £45 to £65
Mobile and branch. Franchise model so prices vary by area.
Independent fitter
around £30 to £50
Cheapest option. Find rated local fitters via Checkatrade or myWindscreen.
Cash prices for guidance. Insurance-funded repair through your glass helpline is usually £0 regardless of provider.
The danger of waiting
Water seeps into the chip, freezes overnight, expands. Pressure from heating the cabin, slamming a door, or driving over a pothole pushes the crack outwards. A £50 repair becomes a £400 replacement within weeks. If you have a chip, book the repair this week.
FAQ
Is windscreen chip repair free on insurance?+
On most UK comprehensive policies, yes. Chip repair is usually a zero-excess benefit and does not affect your no-claims bonus. Ring the dedicated glass helpline rather than the main claims line. Admiral, Direct Line, Aviva, LV= and Churchill all routinely cover chip repair at no cost. Check your policy schedule for the exact wording.
How long does chip repair take?+
About 30 minutes from arrival to drive-away. The fitter cleans the chip, draws out the air with a vacuum bridge, injects clear UV-cure resin, then polishes the surface flat. The car is safe to drive immediately afterwards. The repair leaves a small visible mark that does not impair vision, and it stops the chip spreading.
Can a repaired chip crack later?+
It can, but it is rare if the chip was repaired correctly. A properly cured resin repair stabilises the damage so road vibration, temperature swings and pressure changes no longer expand it. The most common failure mode is leaving the chip too long before repair, so micro-cracks are already present. Repair within days, not months.
Will a repaired chip pass an MOT?+
Yes, if the repair is properly executed and any remaining mark is below the size limits for its zone (10mm in Zone A, 40mm in Zone B). MOT testers assess the windscreen visually for vision-impairing damage, so a clean resin repair almost always passes. If the chip was in Zone A and the repair mark is still over 10mm wide, you will need replacement instead.