Save $100s by replacing your side-view mirror yourself!

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Damaging your side-view mirror or knocking it off is one of those annoying things in your life as a driver — on par with a cracked windshield.

But even though it’s only a relatively minor setback, it can be expensive to fix if you have to pay someone else to do it for you.

Read more: The most bizarre driving laws in all 50 states

Easy DIY tutorial on replacing your side-view mirror

Go to the dealership or an independent garage and you’ll likely get a quote for $200 to $300 for the parts and labor to replace a side-view mirror.

But this is one fix that’s so easy to do yourself once you get the replacement part, as you can see in the video above.

Whatever you do, never file an insurance claim for a broken side-view mirror or a cracked windshield! The insurer may surcharge you for a number of years or eliminate discounts you would otherwise qualify for.

When it comes to making small but legitimate claims, money expert Clark Howard has long been fierce about why you shouldn’t do this.

What you should do instead is take the highest deductible that the insurer or your auto financier will allow and that you can afford. Typically that is a $1,000 deductible.

Having a high deductible lessens the chance you’ll want to make a small piddling claim that you could probably pay for out of pocket. And when you have a higher deductible, you’ll usually get a lower monthly premium in exchange.

The smartest thing to do is to set aside the savings you get by taking the higher deductible and make an auto repair slush fund. That way you’ll have the money when you need it to address an issue with your vehicle.

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