Rock Chip vs. Crack: What’s the Difference (and When $50 Saves Your Windshield)

Jon Vis
Nov 5
2 min read

Your windshield is built to handle the road—but even the smallest pebble can leave its mark. At Hampton Auto Glass, we’re proud to be the Home of the $50 Rock Chip Repair in Vancouver and Camas, WA.

Knowing whether that mark is a chip or a crack can save you time, money, and possibly your whole windshield.

Signs It’s a Chip vs. a Crack

Rock chip: Usually smaller than a quarter, with a circular or star-shaped mark where debris hit the glass. Chips often look like a “bullseye” and don’t extend across the windshield.

Crack: A straight or curved line spreading from an impact point. Cracks can start small but often grow quickly, especially with temperature changes or road vibration.

Quick tip: If the damage fits under a quarter and hasn’t spread, it’s likely repairable.

Why Chips Spread

A small chip may look harmless, but every drive puts stress on the glass. Heat, cold, and even car washes can cause that chip to expand into a full crack. Once it spreads, repair is no longer an option — the entire windshield will need replacing.

That’s why catching it early is key. A $50 repair today can prevent a $300+ replacement later.

When Repair Is Safe

✅ The chip is smaller than a quarter

✅ There are no cracks reaching the edge of the glass

✅ There’s only one to three chips total

✅ It’s not in the driver’s direct line of sight

If these apply, you’re in great shape for a quick, affordable fix.

When Replacement Is Safer

❌ The crack runs longer than 2 inches

❌ Multiple chips or cracks overlap

❌ The damage reaches the windshield edge

❌ The chip blocks your view

In these cases, your windshield’s integrity is compromised — and replacement is the safer call. We’ll help you handle that too with fast quotes, or setup your insurance and local service.

Cost & Time Expectations

At Hampton Auto Glass, our rock chip repair is just $50, and each additional chip is only $10.

Better yet, most insurance companies cover the entire cost of rock chip repair — so there’s often no out-of-pocket cost at all. We’ll help with the paperwork and make it hassle-free.

Most repairs take 20–30 minutes, and the best part? No appointment is needed. Just stop by one of our convenient locations, and our technicians will take care of you while you wait.

For full windshield replacements, we’ll work with your insurance or provide upfront pricing before we start.