Three things decide whether a windshield can be repaired or must be replaced: the size of the damage, where it is, and what type it is. Small chips away from the driver's view can usually be repaired quickly and, for most Manitoba drivers, for free. Long cracks, edge cracks and damage in the driver's line of sight usually mean replacement.
When a repair usually works
Small chips: bull's-eye, star or combination chips smaller than about a loonie.
Short cracks: generally under about 15 cm.
Away from the driver's view: outside the area directly in front of the steering wheel.
Away from the edge: at least a few centimetres from the frame.
Fresh damage: chips repaired soon after they happen, before dirt and water get in, give the best results.
A repair injects a clear resin into the damage, which bonds and hardens to restore strength and stop the chip from spreading. It's usually done in under an hour, and with any MPI extension deductible it costs you $0.
One honest note: a repair won't make the chip disappear. Even a successful repair often leaves a small blemish where the stone hit. The goal is to restore the glass's strength and prevent a crack, while improving how it looks.
When you need a replacement
Long cracks: longer than about 15 cm, or a crack that keeps growing.
Damage in the driver's line of sight: a repair blemish there can distort your view.
Edge cracks: cracks that reach the edge of the glass weaken the whole windshield.
Multiple chips close together.
Damage over a camera or sensor area, where clear glass is needed for driver-assist systems to work.
Deep damage that goes through the outer layer into the inner layer of glass.
Why the windshield matters for safety
Your windshield does more than keep out wind. It supports the roof in a rollover, helps the passenger airbag deploy correctly, and holds the cameras for driver-assist systems on newer vehicles. A cracked windshield is weaker in all of these roles, which is why fixing damage early matters.
What replacement involves
A certified technician removes the old windshield, cleans and primes the frame, and installs the new glass with urethane adhesive. A replacement usually takes 2–3 hours, and the adhesive needs time to cure before the vehicle is driven. Vehicles with driver-assist cameras also need ADAS calibration afterwards so lane-departure warning and automatic braking work correctly.
What each option costs with MPI
As of April 1, 2026, chip repair is free at every MPI extension deductible ($200, $300, $500 and $750). A windshield replacement costs your deductible, and MPI covers the rest. Glass claims don't affect your rates. See our full MPI deductible guide.
Not sure which you need?
Send us a photo when you open your claim, or bring the vehicle to 175 8 St NE in Portage la Prairie. Our certified technicians will tell you honestly whether a repair will hold or a replacement is the safer choice. We offer mobile service, free pickup and drop-off in Portage, and a lifetime workmanship warranty on every job.
Call AA Auto Glass at 431-244-9606, or learn more about stone chip repair and windshield replacement.
