Windscreen repair FAQs

Yes, all Optic-Kleer repair technicians are fully trained to the Optic-Kleer standard, which means that they will offer you a professional repair and service. Optic-Kleer has always had very high standards since they have been repairing chipped windscreens since 1991.

All Optic-Kleer technicians are franchisees and have their own business. This means that they are all passionate about delivering the best possible service.

As a windscreen is crucial to a driver's visibility, a damaged windscreen can be one of the causes of your car failing it’s MOT as the MOT takes into consideration the effect any damage may have on the driver's visibility.

Therefore, it is important to have your windscreen chip repaired before your MOT assessment.
 

No, you don’t need to wait with your vehicle. You can leave your keys with an Optic-Kleer repair technician and come back and collect your repaired vehicle and keys once you have finished your shopping.

Many drivers assume that cover for repairing their windscreen is automatically included in their insurance policy, but this is not always the case. In fact, even if you have a fully comprehensive policy, it does not necessarily mean that you have windscreen cover so please always check the level of cover on your insurance policy.

If you have a chip in your windscreen that needs repairing but you don't have adequate cover, don’t worry as we can still carry out the windscreen repair at a very competitive price.

A small chip in your windscreen might not seem like an issue, but if you ignore it and leave it untreated, the chip can develop into a crack, in which case you will require a windscreen replacement. This will be a hefty expense to you if your insurance policy does not include windscreen cover.

Chips in windscreens are one of the most common types of damage to cars, and a major source of insurance claims. Regardless of how many precautions you take, you cannot avoid windscreen chips occurring. Luckily, what you can avoid is big expenses by ensuring that you have windscreen cover within your insurance policy. 
 

Yes, Optic-Kleer offers a lifetime windscreen repair guarantee on all of their repairs, for as long as you own your vehicle.

Optic-Kleer can offer a mobile windscreen repair service in most areas if that is more convenient than coming to the retail location where your local Optic-Kleer technician is working. 

Optic-Kleer has windscreen repair technicians all over the UK. Please follow this link to find out where and when an Optic-kleer technician can carry out a repair on your windscreen.

If you have a chip in your windscreen, we recommend having it fixed as soon as possible. A windscreen chip can easily develop into a crack, meaning you will need a windscreen replacement.

A damaged windscreen can cause your vehicle to fail an MOT, or reduce your visibility while driving.
 

Although windscreen chips are often unavoidable, there is still plenty that you can do to keep your windscreen in excellent condition. Here are some tips:

De-icing
When it's frosty outdoors, make sure you clear all ice and snow from your windscreen before you set off. Use a good de-icer and spray it from the distance recommended on the bottle. Before you use the scraper, wait a few seconds for the chemicals to work. Always use the scraper provided as any other makeshift scraper, particularly anything metal, can scratch the glass. Never pour boiling water onto the glass as the sudden change in temperature may cause your windscreen to crack.

Wiper blades
Windscreen wiper blades have a difficult job, particularly in poor weather. Generally, you should replace them at least once a year, or sooner if they start making a noise, leave smudges or streaks on the windscreen, or if they no longer are making proper contact with the windscreen. You can make the wiper blades last longer by removing leaves etc from your windscreen, rather than using the wipers. 

Screen wash
By using a good quality screen wash and always keeping it topped up, you will help to keep your windscreen clear all year.

Driving and parking your car
To help avoid stones flicking up and hitting your windscreen, keep your distance from the vehicle in front, give vehicles a wide berth when overtaking and slow down to let vehicles pass. If possible, park your car under shelter and in the shade, as this will help protect your windscreen from direct sunlight, bad weather and anything falling on it.

A chip in a windscreen is repaired by cleaning and treating the damage with specially designed tools and resins. In the majority of cases, the chipped windscreen can be repaired by one of our highly trained technicians in around 20 minutes.

Optic-Kleer has been operating since 1991. 

Windscreen repairs can usually be carried out in around 20 minutes. 

An Optic-Kleer windscreen chip repair will usually take around 20 minutes to complete. 

Most insurance policies include the cost of windscreen chip repairs as part of the premium. This means that a repair will not cost you anything. However, some insurance policies may carry a small excess payment for a repair. If that is the case we will ensure you understand any costs before we carry out the windscreen repair so there will be no surprises.

If your policy doesn't provide cover for windscreen repairs, Optic-Kleer will provide you with a competitive quote to help you back on the road without breaking the bank!
 

Please follow this link to find out where and when an Optic-Kleer repair technician can carry out a repair on your windscreen.

Windscreen repairs through Optic-Kleer should not affect your no claims bonus. Optic-Kleer always strives to repair your windscreen so you don’t have to have a replacement. This saves you time and money.

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Occasionally, through no fault of the repair technician, the attempt to repair a windscreen can result in the chip turning into a crack. This is due to stress in the windscreen, for which we have no control.

In the very rare event that this occurs, Optic-Kleer will refund back to you the cost of the repair. If the repair has been carried out through your insurance, Optic-Kleer will make the refund back to your insurance company. Please read Optic-Kleer’s lifetime windscreen repair guarantee for more details.
 

After completion of a successful repair, the chip should not crack further and the repair should pass an MOT. In the unlikely event that a crack develops, Optic-Kleer will refund back to you the cost of the repair. If the repair has been carried out through your insurance, Optic-Kleer will make the refund back to your insurance company. Please read Optic-Kleer’s lifetime windscreen repair guarantee for more details.

The following are the most common causes of chips in windscreens:

• Road debris: On roads where there are loose stones, for example gravel roads and roads under construction, vehicles can dislodge these stones, which can hit your windscreen and cause a chip or crack. As speed will increase the impact of the stone on your windscreen, the faster you drive, the greater the risk.
• Direct impact: Damage to your windscreen can be caused by minor road collisions or even a bird hitting your windscreen.
• Changes in temperature: The change from hot to cold forces the glass in the windscreen to expand and contract, which over time can mean that chips can develop into cracks in the window screen. Also, having the heating turned up when it's cold outside can increase the risk of stone chips developing into cracks.
• Weather: Any severe weather, such as strong winds and thunderstorms, can dislodge a stone on the road which may hit your windscreen.

Optic-Kleer accepts cash, cheques and all major credit cards.

Optic-Kleer has windscreen repair technicians all over the UK. Please follow this link to find out where and when an Optic-kleer technician can carry out a repair on your windscreen.

Optic-Kleer guarantees all of their windscreen repairs for as long as you own your vehicle. If you have issues with your repair or the service you have received, please contact our customer service department on 01205 311132.

If you have any queries please contact Optic-Kleer’s customer service department from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday on 01205 311132.

Unfortunately, as toughened glass is commonly used in side windows, they cannot be repaired and need to be replaced. This type of glass is designed to fracture into small pieces unlike a windscreen that will remain intact upon impact. 
 

Once an Optic-Kleer technician has repaired a chipped windscreen, the damaged area will not totally disappear. There will usually be a small mark left in the damaged area but you should expect an improvement in the cosmetic appearance of the damage.

A windscreen chip repair is used to prevent the damage getting worse and to restore the structural integrity of the vehicle.

Although the chip will not be invisible after the successful repair, you should expect an improvement in the cosmetic appearance of the repair and a slight blemish or imperfection where the impact occurred is normal. 

We want to reassure everyone, at this challenging time, that we are doing all we can to protect the health of our customers, employees and self-employed technicians. As well as customer service, this is our top priority and will continue to remain so. 

What we are doing
    •    We are in constant contact with our employees and technicians, updating them on the latest advice from the health authorities and ensuring that they are following the guidelines and keeping themselves and our customers safe.
    •    Our technicians are cleaning their hands before and after carrying out the windscreen repair.
    •    Our technicians will wear new disposable gloves and dispose of them when they have finished repairing your windscreen.  
    •    We are following social distancing measures to reduce interaction between the technician and customer.
    •    Our technicians only work on the outside of the vehicle and will clean the small mirror that is placed on the inside of the windscreen. 
    •    Our process is completely paperless, and you do not need to sign the technician’s mobile device as we will sign on your behalf, with your consent.
    •    There is no need to pay by cash as we have an online payment system.

What we ask of you
    •    If you, or anyone in your household, are self-isolating, you can still contact us and we will be happy to carry out your windscreen repair once your self-isolation period has ended.
    •    If we are due to carry out your windscreen repair and you, or anyone in your household has a temperature or a cough, please let us know and we will rearrange your visit once the 14-day isolation period has safely ended.
    •    Please do not be offended when our technician does not shake your hand.
During these difficult and unsettling times, we want to cause as little disruption as possible, whilst ensuring the health and safety of our employees, technicians, customers and society in general. Thank you for continuing to trust us to look after your vehicle and trusting us to take all necessary steps to reduce risk.
 

• It WILL get worse - If you leave a chip in your windscreen, unfortunately it will get worse over time due to the vibration, bumps and pressure that pass through your car and its windscreen just in normal, everyday driving, because your windscreen forms part of the car’s structure.
• Safety 1) - Day to day - Your windscreen provides up to 30% of the vehicle’s structural strength - any damage will reduce this strength.
• Safety 2) - In an accident - Your vehicle relies on your windscreen in a couple of ways. The passenger airbag uses the windscreen for support, the roof uses the windscreen for support in the event of a rollover, and when your vehicle crumples up in an accident, the windscreen helps direct the energy of the impact around the passenger compartment - any damage puts all of these at risk.

Almostly certainly, althought it depends on the size of the chip in your windscreen and where it’s situated - see our guide on the windscreen repair page.

Your vehicle could fail its MOT if the chip in your windscreen is over 10mm and in the driver’s line of vision.

Apart from the much greater cost and time it takes to replace your windscreen, the factory seal on your windscreen can never be exactly duplicated with a windscreen replacement so you should always try to repair your windscreen first.

It only takes about 20 minutes so we can usually repair your windscreen while you shop.

It costs a lot less to carry out a repair to a damaged windscreen than to replace the windscreen. Even if your insurance company is accepting the cost of replacement you may need to pay an excess. There is also a major environmental benefit to repairing your windscreen rather than replacing it.

Usually not. If you have glass damage cover and we can repair the glass the work we carry out will usually be FREE* to you, paid for by your insurance company.

*Subject to insurance cover.

If your insurance policy doesn’t cover glass damage, don’t worry - we can still help. Optic-Kleer® can repair your windscreen from just £48.00 + VAT depending on the severity of the damage - a fraction of the cost of replacement.

To make it as straightforward as possible, we can usually liaise directly with your insurer and manage the claim on your behalf. If you want to do it yourself we can guide you.

Yes, at Optic-Klee we offer a lifetime windscreen repair guarantee on our products and craftsmanship, guaranteed for as long as you own your vehicle.

Yes, definitely. If your insurance policy doesn't cover windscreen repairs or you don’t want to go through your insurance company, we will provide you with a competitive quote to help you back on the road without breaking the bank!