If you’re driving along and suddenly you have a chip or a crack in your windshield, obviously you’ve got to take care of it quickly, but… think it through. Our friends at Edmunds.com say choosing the right company to repair or replace your windshield could be one of the biggest decisions you make concerning your vehicle. Why?

Because the windshield is a critical part of the vehicle’s safety and passenger restraint structure. An incorrectly installed windshield could pop out in an accident, allowing the roof to cave in and crush the car's occupants. Furthermore, when the front airbags deploy, they exert a tremendous force on the windshield and will blow out one that is not firmly glued in place.

You need to have this done by professionals. According to the Auto Glass Safety Council and Ralph Nader, there’s no shortage of “fly by night” operators shops who do shoddy replacement work.

David Beck, an experienced professional at Windshield Express near Salt Lake City, has been working in the auto glass business for 18 years. Beck says there are plenty of amateurs who think they know what they’re doing but they’re not professionally trained or certified. Many have little regard for safety. Beck says, “They don't handle the windshield correctly, don't use the proper adhesives and leave the car unsafe for driving and prone to rusting and leaks.”

"The thing I wish that drivers knew was that the windshield is the No. 1 safety restraint in their vehicle," Beck said. “The windshield is two sheets of glass held together by an inner layer of strong vinyl. When the windshield breaks, the vinyl holds the glass in place rather than allowing the shards to fall into the car and cut the occupants.

He added that the windshield is a layer of protection that "keeps you inside the car and things out of the car. "This is not the place to cut corners on and go with the cheapest price."

Compliance with the most current safety standards is the best way to go and that’s why the Auto Glass Safety Council has established a link to find qualified professionals: SafeWindshields.org

It is designed to identify those professionals who are accredited and registered with the Auto Glass Safety Council. At the same time, it’s important to note that SafeLite AutoGlass® , the nation’s leading provider of vehicle glass repair and replacement services with 87 warehouses, nearly 400 retail stores and nearly 200 mobile locations, is not registered with the Auto Glass Safety Council. That’s because their proprietary standards, they say, exceed those of the industry.

“While not registered with the Auto Glass Safety Council, all of our technicians must be SafeTech® certified, which exceeds the industry standards published by the NGA, ANSI, AGRSS and ROLAGS,” says Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite AutoGlass® said. “We have always felt our proprietary certification program was more appropriate for our company since it incorporated higher standards and elements like employee background checks, motor vehicle checks and drug testing.”

With its national presence, Safelite AutoGlass® offers a national warranty on their workmanship so you’re covered wherever you go.

Remember, if you have any doubts always call your insurance company first. Assuming that you have glass coverage, and/or comprehensive collision coverage you shouldn’t incur any out-of- pocket expenses. However, if you choose to go to an auto glass replacement provider who is not recommended by your insurance company, and you have subsequent leaks or other problems, your insurance company will probably advise you that you’re on your own. At that point you’d have to invest your time and money in a resolution through small claims court.