Your windshield is a part of the structural integrity of your vehicle. If it is not installed properly, you are increasing the risk of injury to yourself or another party should you encounter an auto accident.

Experienced, knowledgeable installers will always follow a set procedure when installing your new auto glass. They don't take shortcuts. Proper installation equates to more time required for installation - it can't be avoided. This means that a skilled windshield replacement specialist is going to take more time to replace your windshield and that will mean his or her bid will be higher by anywhere from 10% to 20%. If you take into consideration the risk to your health and safety, it's worth it to pay for quality installation.

At the present time, there are no CA state regulations regarding windshield installers. That makes it difficult for the consumer to find a quality, trustworthy installation expert. It's usually best to go with either a referral or simply ask the installer a few questions when you speak with them on the phone:

1. How long have you been installing auto glass?
2. How long does it take for the window to set and the urethane to seal properly? A proper answer is anywhere from 2+ hours, maybe longer. Again, you don't want to take shortcuts when you have your windshield installed otherwise you may be putting your life at risk.
3. Have you worked for commercial accounts, such as car dealerships or trucking companies? A quality installer will have worked with commercial accounts before. Car dealerships have more at risk when having a windshield replaced than you do, so if an installer has worked for dealerships before, that's usually a good sign.

If your windshield is not installed properly, any number of things can happen. Here are just a few possibilities:

1. Leak - if the urethane is not applied properly and does not seal against the window, there is a chance water will leak into your car. This will cause rust near the pinch weld and potentially create an environment for mold to develop within your car.
2. Crack - if the window is not seated properly onto the urethane, it may slide around as you drive. Every time it strikes the frame of the windshield, there is a chance it will crack or chip. Over time, cracking becomes inevitable.
3. Windshield falls off - believe it or not, this happens! If the urethane is not properly set, the windshield can simply fall off if you hit the breaks too hard. If you were to get into an accident, there is a chance the windshield can actually fly off your car and hit another vehicle or even decapitate a pedestrian (it's happened!).

If you suspect that your windshield was not properly installed, you can call an experienced installer and have them reinstall it. Although you will have to pay the new installer for his or her time, it is most definitely worth it to ensure your safety. Most of the time the windshield can be reused. The new installer will simply remove the glass and clean it of any urethane. He or she will also prepare the pinch weld for a new installation by removing the existing urethane and applying a new layer.