Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/456199
52 G O I N G P L A C E S | S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 istock Q I just got a stone chip in my windshield. What should I do? A Stone chips are common in the spring when the snow begins to disappear and gravel on the road hasn't been cleaned up yet. Luckily for motor- ists, a stone chip is an easy and inexpensive (or even free – see sidebar) repair, if it's looked at immediately. But waiting to fix a chip – something often seen as just a minor incon- venience at first – can lead to a bigger and more expensive repair down the road. As Doug McGuffin, business develop- ment manager at Eastside Collision Repairs, a CAA Approved Auto Repair Service (AARS) facility, explains: "A stone chip (generally the size of a loonie or smaller) can usually be repaired easily as long as the window hasn't started to crack. Our glass technicians use a glass resin (a special adhesive) to fill the chip. e resin can fill it enough that – while it may never be completely removed – you'd probably need a magnifying glass to spot the small pinhole. However, once the chip begins to crack, the windshield will likely need to be replaced because the resin can't completely fill it." McGuffin stresses that waiting to fix the chip will only make matters worse, even if it doesn't crack. As you continue to drive, the chip gets filled with dirt and dust, and the wipers can push that dirt further in. When you finally do bring your vehicle in, the chip will be too full of dirt for the glass resin to work properly. So it's important to get that stone chip repaired soon after it happens. Visit www.caamanitoba.com/aars to find an AARS facility near you. I N S U R A N C E Q Why do I have to call my travel insurance company before seeking medical assistance? A If you're sick or have had an emergency away from home, the last thing you're thinking about is calling your travel insurance company. But unless the situation is dire (read: you need emergency help), it should be the first thing you do. Glynnis Fidler, insurance marketing manager for CAA Manitoba, tells us why that call could be beneficial in the long run: "Your travel insurer can provide you with more assistance than just paying the hospi- tal bill. When you call in, they can search their network to suggest a medical facility based on your location and ailment. is means you're not scrambling to find the nearest hospital or wondering if a certain doctor or treatment is covered. Letting them know in advance will also allow the insurer to oversee your medical treatment to ensure Stone Chips Begone A new column to answer all of your burning automotive, insurance or travel inquiries. To submit a question, email goingplaces@caamanitoba.com. ASK THE EXPERTS A U T O M O T I V E Free Stone Chip Repair Many Manitobans don't realize that a stone chip can be repaired for free. If you carry a deductible of $300 or less, Manitoba Public Insurance will pay to fix it at no cost. Simply visit an MPI-approved glass repair shop such as Eastside Collision Repairs. For those with a $500 deductible, repair will cost $80 – a much cheaper alternative than waiting and paying for a windshield replacement, which could be $400-$500 depending on the vehicle's make and model.