Will my Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?

Dealing with broken windshield glass stinks. You probably wonder - will insurance help pay for fixes? The answer is often yes! But the coverage has fine print. Important stuff like deductibles, repair rules, approved shops, and claim limits affect your costs. This article explains what you need to ask your car insurer about glass coverage.

Being informed makes handling windshield cracks much less painful! Knowing what to expect saves you money and headaches down the road. Read on to learn how to claim windscreen repair on insurance.

What does Car Insurance Typically Cover for Windshield Damage?

Comprehensive Coverage

Most auto insurance policies have an option for comprehensive coverage, which covers damage to your car from non-collision incidents. Things like hail damage, floods, falling objects, and vandalism are commonly covered under comprehensive. Cracked or chipped windshields also fall into this category.

If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurer typically pays for windshield repair or replacement minus any applicable deductibles.

However, the damage must meet certain criteria:

• The chip or crack must be repairable. Most small chips and cracks up to 6 inches can be repaired with resin injection.
• The damage cannot obstruct the driver’s line of sight. Large cracks directly in front of the driver’s sightline often require full windshield replacement.

In short, small windshield chips and cracks will usually be covered under comprehensive auto insurance, which most drivers carry. But make sure you understand your policy’s windshield coverage details. Understanding how insurance works on windshield replacements can help drivers navigate the claims process more effectively.

Collision Coverage

If your windshield gets damaged in an auto accident, that’s your fault; coverage depends on whether you have collision insurance. Collision covers damage to your car from accidents you cause.

So, if you collide with something and wind up with a busted windshield, having collision coverage means your auto insurer will pay for the replacement minus your deductible.

Without collision coverage, you'd have to pay out-of-pocket the full windshield replacement cost if the accident was your fault.

Additional Glass Coverage

Some auto insurance companies offer extra add-on glass coverage to supplement your regular car insurance policy. This coverage goes by names like Auto Glass Coverage, Zero Glass Deductible, etc.

If you add specialised glass coverage, your insurer will waive any windshield repair deductible so fixes are free in covered claims. Some insurers also replace windshields from non-accident damage like road debris strikes. Check with individual providers to see what enhanced glass coverage includes.

What Factors Affect Windshield Coverage?

When filing a windshield insurance claim, there are additional factors that impact whether it gets approved and what you’ll pay out of pocket:

• Deductibles: Even with comprehensive or collision coverage, most policies have deductibles you must meet for windshield replacement. If your glass deductible is high, paying for minor chip repairs yourself may be cheaper than filing a claim.
• Lease or Loan Requirements: If you lease or finance your vehicle, the contract may have certain requirements regarding damaged glass replacement. For example, any visible cracks in your line of sight could require a full windshield replacement rather than just a repair. Make sure you understand all terms, so insurance claims align properly.
• Shop Network: Most auto insurers have established networks of glass repair shops they work with. Going out-of-network could mean you pay more or full price for windshield services not approved by your provider. Verify which glass companies your insurer partners have tie-ups with when you file an insurance claim.
• Coverage Limits: While a basic auto policy covers windshield damage under comprehensive, insurers usually set coverage limits regarding total claims they’ll pay annually. If you file multiple glass claims within your policy period or term, your provider may deny additional claims once you reach specified thresholds.

Conclusion

In most cases - yes, as long as you carry comprehensive coverage. But make sure you know your auto policy’s deductibles, coverage limits, shop network rules, and leasing requirements when filing glass claims to avoid unpaid bills for windshield services. Being an informed driver saves time, money, and headaches. Let AIS Windshield Experts remove the hassle and expense - our glass technicians properly replace windshields at competitive rates.