Why Your Windshield is So Expensive

Visit pretty much any car dealership in 2020, and more than likely you'll notice that every new vehicle on the lot comes with at least one driver assistance feature built in. The features may go by different names, but things like a rear view camera to help with parking, or adaptive cruise control that automatically adjusts your speed for you depending on traffic are becoming common even in entry level vehicles.

There's no question that these features are a great thing for everyone on the road. Experts estimate that these features have already decreased the number of collisions causing injury by 27%.

But while these features are great for safety, they come at a cost. In this case, this cost shows up in the form of unexpected repair bills for what would otherwise be considered minor damage. Things like a damaged bumper or cracked windshield are now costing drivers more than ever, and it's all because of the advanced technology that drives these life-saving features.

While there are sensors all over the car that are driving up repair costs, the rising cost of windshield replacement is especially surprising (and painful) for most drivers. Windshield replacement is one of the most common insurance claims made by drivers, and depending on where you live, a damaged windshield may be all too familiar.

Why Your Windshield is Expensive

It's surprisingly easy to damage your windshield. One piece of gravel when you're driving behind a truck on the highway is all it takes. For a relatively everyday occurrence, most of us would be pretty surprised to get the repair bill.

But the reason why your windshield is so expensive to replace in 2020 is actually a pretty good one. A lot of the sensors that power the ADAS features we mentioned earlier are located directly behind your windshield. This means that the windshield is no longer just responsible for protecting you from rain, rocks, and bug splatter - it's also protecting an advanced set of cameras and sensors that gives your car these potentially life-saving safety features.

Common Safety Features in Modern Vehicles:

Take a look at the infographic below to see exactly which systems rely on sensors that sit behind the windshield. Chances are, if your vehicle was manufactured in the past 4-5 years, you're familiar with a few of these.

Sensors the Power ADAS Features Need to be Calibrated

The good news is that your windshield usually does a pretty good job of protecting the sensors and cameras that the vehicle uses to power these ADAS features. But, when the windshield is replaced there is a risk that the sensors become misaligned in the process. Studies have shown that even a 1-degree change in a sensor's orientation can put you at risk, so the technician is required to do what's called a ‘recalibration' whenever the windshield is replaced.

This recalibration process requires a highly skilled technician and an expensive setup to ensure the sensors are interpreting the vehicle's environment correctly. This recalibration process is what drives up the cost of replacement, and typically adds at least $300 to the cost of the replacement service.

Calibrating the Sensors: Static vs. Dynamic Calibration

Well, the exact process for sensor recalibration really depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Auto manufacturers will provide a very specific set of instructions that the technician needs to use to properly perform the recalibration. While it can vary widely depending on the vehicle, there are typically two options for recalibration: static calibration and dynamic calibration.

Despite sounding like the simpler option, systems that need a static calibration are actually the more complicated procedure. While it doesn't require a technician to actually drive the vehicle on the road (which is why it's labelled "static"), the process requires a setup that can re-train the ADAS system to recognize targets positioned at different locations and distances away from the vehicle. To perform a static calibration, technicians need a large space where targets can be positioned at appropriate distances. The process can take as much as 3 hours to complete properly.

Dynamic (or on-road) calibration is actually less complicated. Vehicles that need dynamic calibration are driven around by the technician at a predetermined set of speeds and distances to retrain the car to recognize road markings and obstacles after the windshield is replaced. It's usually a little faster than the static process.

Because every major car manufacturer builds their ADAS system a little differently, whoever is replacing your windshield will need to know which method of calibration is necessary for your vehicle (some systems even need a combination of static and dynamic calibration).

It's also really important to make sure you're getting the recalibration done properly. While the systems are designed to keep you safe, even tiny misalignments can lead to disastrous consequences - we've even seen reports of drivers whose vehicles steered them into oncoming traffic after an incorrect recalibration. Choosing a technician for your windshield replacement that is reputable and has experience with the process is more important than ever.

Car Manufacturers Now Requiring the Use of OEM Glass

On top of the added costs because of the required recalibration costs, car manufacturers are increasingly requiring (or at least strongly encouraging) drivers to replace their windshield with OEM glass. While it may be tempting to look for a less expensive aftermarket alternative, there may be good reason to stick to OEM windshields for your ADAS-equipped vehicle.

When it comes to cost, aftermarket windshields and replacement services are almost always going to come out cheaper. Just like any other vehicle repair, you'll often see a discount when you purchase 3rd party replacement parts and avoid going to your dealership.

Even if you've chosen affordable aftermarket options in the past, if your vehicle does have sensors behind the windshield it could be worth it to go for the OEM windshield. Many OEMs (Subaru, Volvo, and Honda are just a few examples) specifically recommend or require that technicians replace the windshield with an OEM part. They even claim that the technology behind the windshield could malfunction if you use an aftermarket glass replacement.

On top of that, due to the complicated nature of the calibration process, it may even be worth getting the repair done at the dealership where you can rest easy knowing the technicians replacing your windshield also specialize in recalibrating your OEM's ADAS system.

Ultimately the choice depends on lots of factors like your budget, comfort level, and specific vehicle. In any case, we recommend doing the research before booking your windshield replacement just to make sure you're keeping your own safety your top priority.

The Cost of Windshield Replacement in 2020

By you probably just want to know how much it would cost to replace your car's windshield. Well, this can depend on a few factors (which we'll get to), but in general most drivers can expect to pay easily over $1000 to replace their windshield - regardless of the type of vehicle they drive.

We took a look at the average windshield replacement costs for some of the more common vehicles:

Don't see your vehicle here? You can get a quote for your specific vehicle pretty quickly by using an online tool (like this one from Safelite) to find out how much your windshield could cost to replace. Keep in mind that this is an aftermarket replacement service and in many cases you may have to specifically request OEM glass. It may also be worth it to contact your local dealer to find out about specific pricing for your vehicle.

Will insurance cover my windshield replacement?

If you're thinking that this doesn't apply to you because you have insurance coverage for windshield replacement well, first of all - lucky you! And second of all, that may not last long. While insurance coverage for windshield replacement varies widely depending on where you live (for example, some regions have mandatory comprehensive coverage), the insurance industry is still dealing with the effects that these safety systems are having on their claim rates.

In 2019, most auto insurance companies actually reported losses because of the high repair and replacement costs. You can bet that insurers won't be willing to operate at a loss for very long, which means that insurance premiums will almost certainly start to increase to compensate for higher claims.

What Options do you Have?

At the end of the day, the cost to replace a modern windshield is a lot higher than most people realize, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. The advanced safety features that are in most vehicles in 2020 are designed to keep us safer on the road, but are also costing us more when it comes to vehicle repairs. The best way to protect yourself from an expensive and unexpected windshield replacement expense is to simply protect your windshield.

To learn more about windshield protection for your vehicle, check out our available options.

Windshield Protection

This article is provided by Exoshield and originally posted:
https://www.getexoshield.com/blog/windshield-replacement-cost