When hail comes down, it can leave your car looking like it went through a shotgun blast, especially when it comes to your auto glass. The good news? Dealing with that cracked or chipped windshield, side window, or rear window is usually pretty straightforward, and replacing auto glass after hail damage is a standard service. This article will walk you through what you need to know, from spotting the damage to getting it fixed.

Hail damage to your car’s glass might not be immediately obvious, especially if the stones were small or the impact was on a less visible area. Often, you’ll discover chips or even spiderweb cracks when you go to wash your car or notice a distortion in your vision while driving.

Identifying Hail Damage

Hail can create a variety of impacts. It’s not just about big spiderweb cracks.

Small Chips and Pits

Tiny little divots or chips, often circular or star-shaped, are common. While they might seem minor, they can still compromise the structural integrity of the glass and can spread over time.

Star Breaks and Bulls-Eye Chips

These are more significant than small pits. A star break looks like a star with radiating cracks, while a bulls-eye chip has a circular impact point with cracks branching out. These almost always require replacement.

Spiderweb Cracks

These are the most dramatic, often covering a large portion of the glass in a network of fine