Answers, not sales talk
Frequently asked questions
Everything customers actually ask us, answered plainly. If yours is not here, call 703-239-3696 and ask a person.
- Call or text 703-239-3696
- Online quote in under a minute
- Free mobile service across the area
- Lifetime warrantyTransfers with the vehicle
- All insurance acceptedWe file the claim
- Free mobile serviceNo travel charge
- Same-day appointmentsMost days
The basics
Getting the work done
How much does a windshield replacement cost?
It depends on the vehicle and whether it needs ADAS calibration. A 2012 sedan with no camera and a new SUV with a heated windshield and a camera are very different jobs. Use the online quote for an instant price, or call 703-239-3696 and we will price it while you are on the phone.
How long does a windshield replacement take?
About an hour for the replacement itself, plus 45 to 90 minutes if your vehicle needs ADAS calibration. After that the adhesive needs time to cure, and we tell you the exact time it is safe to drive before we leave.
How soon can I drive afterwards?
It depends on the adhesive, the temperature and the humidity that day, so we do not quote a blanket number. A time that is right in July is wrong in January. Your technician checks the conditions and tells you the exact time before leaving. If a shop gives you a drive-away time before they have seen the weather, they are guessing.
Can you do it the same day?
Most days, yes. Call us and we will tell you what is actually open today rather than guess. Glass for less common vehicles sometimes has to be ordered in, and we will tell you that up front.
What do I need to tell you when I call?
The year, make and model, which glass is damaged, and whether the vehicle has a camera behind the mirror, a heated windshield, a rain sensor or a heads-up display. Those change which glass your car takes.
Where are you based?
3131 Draper Dr, Unit G, Fairfax, VA 22031, just off Route 50. Open Monday to Friday 9:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 2:00. The online quote works any time, including overnight and Sundays.
Chips and cracks
Repair or replace
Can a chip be repaired instead of replaced?
Usually, if it is smaller than a quarter and not in the driver's line of sight or right at the edge of the glass. Cracks shorter than about three inches can often be repaired too. Send a photo to 703-254-5454 with a coin next to it for scale and we will tell you honestly which you need.
How much is chip repair?
Chip repair costs $99, flat, whatever you drive. SafeRide is direct-pay, so you pay us directly. If you have eligible coverage, you can submit our invoice to your insurance company to request reimbursement. Check with your insurer to confirm your coverage and deductible.
Will the chip disappear completely after a repair?
No, and be careful of anyone who says it will. The repair restores strength and stops the damage spreading. A faint mark usually remains if you look closely.
How many chips can you repair at once?
Up to three on one windshield. Beyond that the glass has enough weak points that replacement is the sensible answer, and we will say so rather than take the money.
Why does a small chip matter?
Glass expands and contracts with temperature, and a chip is a weak point. A cold night followed by the defroster on full, or one pothole, is usually what turns a chip into a crack across the glass. Once it spreads past repairable size, a $99 job becomes a replacement.
Cameras
ADAS calibration
Does my car need ADAS calibration?
If there is a camera behind your rear-view mirror looking through the windshield, yes. Your car uses it for lane departure warning, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Replacing the glass moves that camera, and the manufacturer requires recalibration.
How much does calibration cost?
$299 to $399, depending on whether your vehicle needs a dynamic calibration, a static one, or both. We tell you which applies before you book, not afterwards.
Do you calibrate in-house or send the car elsewhere?
In-house, static and dynamic, at our Fairfax shop. You are not sent somewhere else afterwards, and you get documentation showing it completed and passed.
Can you calibrate a windshield another shop installed?
Yes. Bring the vehicle to us and we will calibrate it and provide the documentation. It is a common job and no different from calibrating our own work.
Can calibration be done at my house?
Dynamic calibration is done by driving the vehicle, so yes. Static calibration needs level ground indoors with targets at measured distances, so that one has to be done at our shop. Anyone offering to do a static calibration in a parking lot is not doing it properly.
Coming to you
Mobile service
Do you charge extra for mobile service?
No. Inside our service area, mobile service is free. We come to your home, office or job site at no additional cost.
What do you need where the car is parked?
A reasonably level spot with enough room to work around the vehicle. A driveway, a parking lot or a street space all work. If you are in an apartment or condo garage, mention it when you book so we can check the height clearance for the van.
What happens if it rains?
We call you and move the appointment rather than do the job badly. Adhesive will not cure properly in rain, snow or extreme cold, and the glass would not hold the way it is designed to. You can also bring the vehicle to our Fairfax shop, where weather is not a factor.
Where do you cover?
Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun counties in Virginia, Montgomery County in Maryland, and Washington, DC. If you are not sure whether you are in range, call us with your address and we will tell you on the spot.
Paying for it
Insurance and cost
Will my insurance cover it?
Comprehensive auto insurance may cover windshield and auto glass damage, depending on your policy, deductible, and the type of damage. Coverage and reimbursement vary by insurer. SafeRide uses a direct-pay model: you pay us directly, and we provide a detailed invoice you can submit to your insurance company to request reimbursement. Contact your insurer before scheduling to confirm your coverage and reimbursement requirements.
Do I have to pay upfront?
Yes. SafeRide uses a direct-pay model, so payment is made directly to us for the service. We provide a detailed invoice you can submit to your insurance company if you wish to request reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your policy and your insurer's decision.
Will my insurance reimburse me for the repair?
Your insurance may reimburse you for eligible auto glass repairs or replacement, depending on your coverage, deductible, and policy requirements. SafeRide provides a detailed invoice for you to submit to your insurer. Contact your insurance company before scheduling to confirm your eligibility and reimbursement process.
Does SafeRide guarantee insurance reimbursement?
No. Insurance coverage and reimbursement decisions are made by your insurance company based on your policy and claim requirements. SafeRide provides a detailed invoice for you to submit, but we cannot guarantee that your insurer will reimburse you or cover the full amount.
Do I file the claim myself?
Yes. If you wish to request insurance reimbursement, you submit the claim to your insurance company. SafeRide does not file claims or bill your insurer directly. We provide a detailed invoice for you to submit with your reimbursement request. Contact your insurer to confirm what documentation is required and whether your policy covers the service.
What documents will I receive for my insurance company?
SafeRide provides a detailed invoice showing the service performed and the amount paid. You can submit this documentation to your insurance company to request reimbursement. If your insurer requires additional forms, photographs, or other documentation, please let us know so we can discuss what we can provide.
Should I file an insurance claim or pay out of pocket?
It depends on the cost of the repair or replacement, your deductible, and your policy's coverage. For smaller repairs, paying directly may be simpler than filing a claim. SafeRide provides upfront pricing so you can compare the cost with your potential insurance benefits before deciding. Your insurance company can explain how filing a claim may affect your policy.
Will a glass claim raise my rates?
The effect of a glass claim on your insurance rates depends on your insurance company, policy, and individual circumstances. Before filing a claim, ask your insurance company or agent whether a comprehensive glass claim could affect your premium, claims history, or future coverage.
Prefer not to file a claim? SafeRide offers straightforward, upfront pricing, and you can choose to pay directly. We also provide a detailed invoice you can submit to your insurer if you wish to request reimbursement.
Can I get a quote before deciding whether to use insurance?
Absolutely. SafeRide provides upfront pricing whether you plan to pay directly or request reimbursement from your insurer. Use our online quote tool for an estimate or call us for a personalized quote. You can review the price before deciding how you want to pay.
How long does approval take?
SafeRide does not request insurance approval or bill your insurer directly. You pay us directly, and we provide a detailed invoice for you to submit to your insurance company if you wish to request reimbursement. Processing times vary by insurer and policy. Contact your insurance company for an estimate of how long reimbursement may take.
Need your auto glass replaced quickly? Contact SafeRide for availability and an upfront price.
Does insurance cover ADAS calibration?
Some auto insurance policies may cover ADAS calibration when it is necessary as part of a covered windshield replacement or repair. Coverage depends on your policy and your insurer's requirements. SafeRide can explain the calibration service and its price upfront, and provide an invoice for you to submit to your insurer if you wish to request reimbursement.
Glass and guarantees
What we install, and what we stand behind
What glass do you use?
OEM or OEE. OEM is made by the manufacturer that supplied your car's original windshield. OEE is made to the same specification, often by the same factories, without the carmaker's branding. Both fit properly and support your ADAS camera. We do not install low-grade aftermarket glass.
What is covered by your warranty?
Workmanship, for the life of the windshield: leaks, wind noise, trim that comes loose, and anything traceable to the way the glass was installed. If something is wrong, call us and we will put it right at no cost.
Does the warranty transfer if I sell the car?
Yes. The warranty stays with the vehicle, so the next owner is still covered. Keep the invoice with the service records.
What is not covered?
New damage, such as a fresh rock chip, break-in, or a crack caused by a new impact, is not covered by our workmanship warranty. Depending on your policy, your insurance may cover the damage. SafeRide provides upfront pricing and a detailed invoice you can submit to your insurer if you wish to request reimbursement.
Do I need to do anything after the glass is replaced?
For the first day, leave a window cracked slightly, avoid slamming doors, and skip the car wash. That is it.
Services
What we do
Still have a question?
Call 703-239-3696 and talk to a person, or text a photo of the damage to 703-254-5454.