Windshield Replacement
Stone chip repair or full glass replacement — we tell you what makes sense.
A stone chip in your windshield isn't always a reason for a new one. Smaller damage can often be repaired — faster, and significantly cheaper than a replacement.
We first look at which group your damage falls into, and tell you what makes sense — even when the answer is that a repair is enough.
Repair or replacement?
Two things decide this: the size of the damage, and where it is on the glass.
A repair is generally possible when:
- the damage is smaller than a 2-euro coin
- it's a stone chip, not a crack running across the glass
- the damage isn't in the driver's field of view
- the glass isn't punctured through to the inner layer
Replacement is needed when:
- the damage is larger, or the crack has already spread
- the damage is in the driver's field of view — even a well-executed repair leaves a mark there that bends light and disrupts vision
- the crack has reached the edge of the glass
- there's damage in several spots at once
A simple rule: place a 2-euro coin over the damage. If the damage doesn't extend beyond it, and it isn't directly in front of you while driving, a repair is probably possible.
Why it's not worth waiting
Small damage rarely stays small. A crack is pushed forward by every temperature change, every bump in the road over a chip, and turning on the heating or AC onto glass that's already warm.
This is accelerated on the coast: strong sun during the day and cooler nights mean the glass expands and contracts every day. A stone chip that would be a fifteen-minute repair today can be a full glass replacement within a week.
Professional, well done work. Honest.Roman Starman, Google review
// our process
How repair and replacement work
Repair
We clean the damage, remove air and moisture from it, and inject a special resin under vacuum. This cures and restores the glass's structural integrity, and the damage becomes significantly less noticeable.
A repair doesn't erase all trace of the damage — the goal is to stop it spreading and restore strength. Anyone who promises an invisible repair is promising too much.
Replacement
We cut out the old glass, clean the bonding surface, remove the remains of the old adhesive, and check whether corrosion has formed underneath the glass — not uncommon on the coast. We fit the new glass with the adhesive specified for your vehicle.
Important: after fitting, the adhesive needs to reach its specified strength before the vehicle is safe to drive. On modern vehicles the windshield isn't just glass — it's part of the load-bearing structure and supports the operation of the passenger airbag. We'll tell you the wait time at pick-up; it isn't something worth shortening.
We also replace side and rear windows, not just the windshield.
// insurance
When filing an insurance claim is even worth it
There's something here most drivers don't know, and it can cost you your no-claims bonus.
| Your cover | What applies |
|---|---|
| Partial comprehensive with glass cover | Glass damage generally doesn't affect your bonus — filing a claim is almost always worth it |
| General comprehensive (kasko) | The glass is covered, but the deductible applies and filing affects your bonus |
| Third-party liability only | The glass isn't covered; you pay for the damage yourself, unless a known other party caused it |
The middle row leads to a practical tip: if you only have general comprehensive cover, for minor damage it's often cheaper to pay yourself — once you add up the deductible (franšiza) and the lost no-claims bonus, filing a claim is often not in your favour.
Tell us what cover you have, and we'll tell you what's worth it in your case. If you do decide to file a claim, we handle the process for you. We work with Triglav, Sava, Generali, Groupama and others.
// price
Price
The price mainly depends on whether it's a repair or a replacement — the difference between the two is large.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Repair or replacement | A repair is significantly cheaper |
| Vehicle make and model | Glass prices vary widely between vehicles |
| Features built into the glass | Heating, rain sensor, camera, head-up display (HUD), acoustic layer |
| Original glass or an equivalent-quality alternative | We explain both options |
Send us a photo of the damage and tell us the make, model and year — the estimate is free.
// why choose us
Why Ekocar
// frequently asked
Questions about glass replacement
As a rule, as long as the damage isn't larger than a 2-euro coin and isn't in the driver's field of view. Larger damage and cracks that have reached the edge of the glass require replacement.
As a rule, yes, but much less so. The purpose of a repair is to stop the crack from spreading and restore the glass's strength, not to erase all trace of it.
Yes. Even a well-executed repair leaves a mark there that bends light and disrupts vision.
It depends on your cover. Under partial (glass-only) comprehensive cover, generally not; under general comprehensive cover, yes — and the deductible is also taken into account.
Only once the adhesive has reached its specified strength. We'll tell you the wait time at pick-up — the glass is part of the vehicle's load-bearing structure and supports the airbag's operation.
Yes, we replace all the glass on a vehicle, not just the windshield.
It depends on the vehicle, the features built into the glass, and whether a repair is enough. Send us a photo — the estimate is free.
// area served
Clients from Izola, Piran and Portorož too
Our workshop is in Koper — bring your vehicle from Izola, Piran, Portorož or Ankaran too, the journey to us isn't far.
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