Chips and cracks in automobile windshields happen all the time. If you're like me, you have glass coverage on your auto insurance policy, so all you have to do is call and notify your insurance company if you have a chip or crack and they arrange for repair or replacement at your home or place of business.

What most people don't know is that not all chip repair and glass replacement companies and technicians are created equal, and how the repair or replacement is performed can have a huge impact on safety.

According to safewindshields.org (managed by the Auto Glass Safety Council™):

...in a front end collision the windshield provides up to 45% of the structural integrity of the cabin of the vehicle and in a rollover, up to 60%

The windshield is an integral part of the safety restraint system in your car. It keeps the roof from crushing in on you in a rollover, it allows the airbags to deploy in the correct position to cushion passengers, and prevents you and your family from being ejected in a serious collision. It's important to your family's safety that the automotive glass in your vehicle be installed properly.

On February 25, 2000, the ABC news program 20/20 aired a segment on windshield safety (watch on YouTube). Here's a summary of the program:

• About 11,000,000 windshields are replaced each year in the U.S.
• No licensing or certification is required to replace a windshield.
• The inside windshield surface must be cleaned with the proper cleaning fluid before installation.
• The technician must not touch the inside edges of the windshield because oils on the hands and fingers can prevent the primer and adhesive from sticking (gloves should be used).
• A primer must be applied first, before applying the adhesive.
• The proper adhesive must be used.
• The technician should say that it's not safe to drive the vehicle until the adhesive has dried (about 10 hours).

To find a glass repair company registered with the Auto Glass Safety Council™, go to safewindshields.org and enter your Zip Code.

More:

• CBS 2 Investigation: An Improper Windshield Installation Can Be Deadly | CBS News New York
• Windshield Installation: A Matter Of Life & Death | CBS News Minnesota
• Your Windshield IQ -- What You Don't Know Could Be Dangerous | Bloomberg News
• Let's Talk Glass with Mark Borchin: Auto Glass Services | Glass Doctor