You are cruising down the freeway on a lovely Sunday afternoon when a semi truck passes you by and you hear a loud click on the windshield. Before you know it, there is a crack that has spread about 6 inches across the passenger side of the windshield. Do not fret.

San Jose Auto Glass, which services the South Bay, and surrounding areas, recommends getting a cracked windshield replaced as soon as possible, as it poses a danger to the passengers inside the vehicle.

The first thing you should do, if in this situation, is contact your auto insurance company to determine what your deductible is for comprehensive damage. For many, it may be $100. For others, $500.

Comprehensive damage includes windshield damages caused by rocks, debris and objects, as well as vandalism and theft. Fortunately, comprehensive claims do not affect your premiums. Therefore, if the cost to get your windshield replaced is $850 and your deductible is $100, it would be a no-brainer to get the job done.

Many auto glass companies, such as San Jose Auto Glass, provide life time warranty on labor if you are the original owner.

Besides windshield replacement, they can also repair glass chips on windshields. Repairs are generally recommended for chips smaller than the size of a quarter. The auto glass technician will apply a special material called resin, which helps to bind the damaged chip to keep it from spreading and forming a crack.

If you do have a chip on your windshield, it is highly recommended that you get it repaired as soon as the damage occurs. If you wait longer than 2 months, it may be non-repairable and a replacement would be needed. San Jose Auto Glass has performed glass repairs for other local companies such as party bus San Jose.