Stone chips & glass
Stone chip repair and car glass in Biel/Bienne
Carrosserie K.I. in Biel/Bienne takes care of glass damage on cars, from stone chips to broken glass. A stone chip smaller than a five-franc coin that is not in the direct field of vision can usually be repaired, and the glass stays in the vehicle. With larger damage or cracks, the glass is replaced and the camera of the driver assistance systems recalibrated. Glass damage is generally covered by partial comprehensive cover.
- All makes
- Direct billing with insurers
- Courtesy car on request
- Repair rather than replace
- Reply usually within 24 h
- German & French
Process
- 1
Upload a photo of the windscreen with a coin next to it
- 2
Decision: repair or replacement
- 3
Replacement incl. ADAS calibration
Stone chip: when a repair is possible
Whether a stone chip in the windscreen can be repaired depends on four points: size, position, distance from the edge and type of damage. Small chips in the outer layer of glass can be filled with special resin, which is injected under vacuum and cured with UV light. The spot usually remains slightly visible, but the windscreen regains its strength and the damage does not spread any further.
No repairs are made in the driver’s direct field of vision, because a remaining mark can be distracting there. Chips close to the edge of the windscreen are also tricky, because the glass is under tension there and cracks more easily. If a longer crack has already formed or the inner layer of glass is affected, the windscreen has to be replaced. Our tip: keep the spot dry and clean, cover it with transparent adhesive tape and send a photo via the damage report form soon.
Windscreen replacement step by step
When a windscreen is replaced, the wiper arms, covers, trim strips and the interior mirror with its sensor mount are removed first. The old windscreen is released from the adhesive joint with a cutting wire or special knife and lifted out. The windscreen frame is then cleaned, the old adhesive bead is trimmed back to a defined residual height and any rust is treated. Frame and new windscreen are prepared with primer so that the windscreen adhesive bonds permanently and the joint stays watertight.
The new windscreen is given an even bead of adhesive, then fitted and aligned precisely. The curing time that follows is important: on modern vehicles the windscreen is a load-bearing part of the car body and supports the passenger airbag. The car may therefore only be driven again once the adhesive has reached the strength specified by the manufacturer. How long that takes depends on the product and the temperature. At handover we tell you what to bear in mind during the first few days.
Calibration of the front camera and assistance systems (ADAS)
On most newer vehicles a front camera sits behind the windscreen, often together with the rain and light sensor. It supplies the images for lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beam and autonomous emergency braking. After a windscreen replacement the camera never sits exactly as it did before, and even the smallest angular deviations have a marked effect over long distances. Manufacturers therefore generally prescribe a recalibration after the windscreen has been replaced.
Depending on the make, calibration is static, dynamic or a combination of both. In the static method the vehicle stands on level ground in front of a precisely aligned target board, and the diagnostic unit teaches the camera its position again. In the dynamic method the system calibrates itself during a drive under defined conditions. Finally the fault memory is read out and the function is checked. Calibration is part of the windscreen replacement and is already included in our indicative quote.
Partial comprehensive cover and glass breakage: who pays?
Glass damage to windscreens, side windows and rear windows is generally insured under partial comprehensive cover, and the keyword in the policy is glass breakage. Whether headlights, mirrors or glass roofs are also included varies from policy to policy and is sometimes only the case with extended glass cover. A glass claim under partial comprehensive cover generally has no effect on the no-claims bonus level. The terms of your contract are always decisive, and we are happy to go through them with you.
The excess is worth a close look. Some insurers waive the excess when a stone chip is repaired, while the agreed amount usually applies when the windscreen is replaced. We settle directly with every insurer, and you pay us only the excess under your policy. If your policy provides for a higher excess for the free choice of workshop than at the partner garage, we cover the difference. This saves you up to CHF 1'000.
Frequently asked questions
Am I allowed to drive with a crack in the windscreen?
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A crack in the field of vision can impair road safety and may be objected to at a roadside check. Have it checked promptly, because a stone chip can spread into a crack with changes in temperature.
Related services
Save up to CHF 1'000
The same excess as at your insurer’s partner garage
Many policies charge a higher excess if you do not go to the insurer’s partner garage. With us you still pay only the excess you would have there: we cover the difference. That way you save up to CHF 1'000 and still choose your body shop freely.
CHF 50 less
CHF 50 less than your partner garage’s quote
Bring the written quote of a partner garage or an independent body shop for the same repair: we do it CHF 50 cheaper, for example CHF 450 instead of CHF 500, incl. VAT. The on-site damage assessment is free in Biel/Bienne, Orpund, Nidau, Brügg, Safnern and Port.
No appointment, no waiting.