On a highway, the sole focus is on the road and the safety of you and your co-passengers. Sometimes a tiny piece of rock can hit your windshield, but you would be oblivious to it. Now you might only notice the cracked windshield when you get home. Now the most pertinent question is ‘Does car insurance cover cracked windshield?’
You might not need to patch your windshield at all, depending on the severity of the crack. However, not all cracks remain small indefinitely; some can worsen over time. If the crack is interfering with your line of sight, and therefore your protection on the road, it might not be prudent to wait to see if it spreads.
Windshield Insurance Coverage
Cracks that are more than six inches long are beyond repair and need a complete windshield replacement; cracks less than six inches long are repairable. The cost of replacing or repairing a car windshield crack at an auto body shop varies from $100 to $400 for regular vehicles but can reach $1000 for high-end, high-tech vehicles. If you’re replacing a windshield or pouring resin into an existing one, the final cost varies.
So, you can either file a lawsuit or pay out of your pocket. We suggest you pay out of pocket, firstly, when your deductible is high. Secondly, if the deductible is $50 or $100. In other words, a $50 deductible would save you about $70 from your insurance provider. However, filing a claim can cause your premiums to rise if you have previously filed claims. We strongly advise against filing a claim for a chip in the windshield if you have already filed claims. In your pursuit to get cheap car insurance, do not skip a policy that ensures you have cracked windshield insurance.
Does Insurance Cover a Cracked Windshield?
If you’re paying out of pocket, it’s possible that repairing your windshield rather than replacing it would save you money. However, if you find yourself in a position where you need to repair the glass, your auto insurance might assist you. If you have comprehensive coverage as part included in the insurance policy, it will cover window damage.
Regardless of whether you need the glass fixed or replaced. Comprehensive coverage applies where the damage is not the result of an accident. Such as when a rock strikes the windshield or someone damages it in the act of vandalism.
If you’re in a car accident and your windshield gets damaged, collision coverage may cover the cost. But it should be included in the premium. However, in most cases, windshield repair or replacement falls under comprehensive coverage. When using comprehensive coverage to replace the windshield, you usually won’t have to pay a deductible. But depending on where you live, a deductible might apply if the windshield needs a full repair.
Deductibles in Windshield Insurance Coverage
A deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket after filing a claim. It should be paid before your insurer covers the rest. It’s usually applied per incident, not for the entire policy period. Both collision and comprehensive coverages have separate deductibles. In most cases, window damage and repairs are covered by mandatory insurance. However, property damage liability pays when someone else is at fault. Generally, if you have proper coverage, damage to your windshield and windows is included.
Comprehensive insurance is an add-on to auto insurance that is typically paid together. It protects your car from any harm that isn’t caused by another vehicle, also known as “acts of God.”
The following are some examples of what comprehensive insurance would reimburse you for:
- Branches from a tree have fallen on your windshield.
- When driving, a pebble flies through your windshield.
- A wild animal slams into your windshield.
Most policies do cover windshields, but it’s always a good idea to double-check whether accidents are included and if all your windows are covered. Sometimes it gets unnoticed. If your policy only protects side windows and not the windshield, it could lead to trouble later. Be sure to review your policy for cracked windshield coverage.
What Do You Do If You Don’t Have Comprehensive Coverage Insurance?
In general, if you do not have comprehensive coverage, the policies would not cover the cost of replacing your windshield. There are two significant exceptions where liability insurance alone will suffice to repair the vehicle. If another driver collides with your car and the fault is on their side, you will be compensated. When you claim the property damage liability section of the other driver’s car insurance, the windshield or other components will be replaced.
If anyone cracks your windshield and you make a lawsuit against their homeowners or landlord’s liability insurance, you might be compensated. If they have one of those policies, they will have a liability section that will cover the costs of any items they destroy.
You’d have to show their insurance provider that they were at fault.
If your car is under ten years old or valued over $3,000, it’s always better to carry both comprehensive and collision coverage. While having both may double your insurance cost, it’s definitely not a bad idea either. Repair expenses can easily exceed what you’d pay for coverage over five years.
How to Know If My Insurance Covers Windshield Replacement
The first factor to consider is the cost of the deductible in comparison to the cost of repairs. Your premium is deducted from the overall sum claimed by insurers. Still, if the deductible is more than the cost of repairing or replacing the windshield, you won’t receive anything from them. Check to see if the deductible for glass claims is waived under your comprehensive coverage. Some of the best car insurance companies have generous policies that don’t require you to pay a premium when claiming broken glass. To see if you have that clause in your policy, check with your agent or your policy.
What to Do If Your Windshield Is Broken and You Need to File a Claim?
The procedure for filing a claim for broken glass is the same as for other forms of auto insurance claims. You may either contact an agent or file a claim online for most businesses. xAuto insurance providers want to be informed as soon as possible after a claim is made. However, if it has been vandalized, contact request police and get a copy of the report. This will help in all future correspondence.
After you file a claim, your auto insurer may ask you to visit an approved shop to assess the damage. Some insurers might also require you to use a specific provider for windshield repairs. Be sure to keep all your receipts so your insurance agent can accurately process your reimbursement, and no difficulties happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll need to use the comprehensive insurance part of your car policy if your windshield is chipped or broken. Falling artifacts, vandalism, extreme weather, and animal accidents are just a few of the issues that may cause damage to your windshield.
You’ll need comprehensive insurance on your car insurance policy if you want the best car insurance for hail injury. A comprehensive insurance will also cover hailstorm damage.
You can need to get your car towed to a shop or your home once your windshield is broken and visibility is low. You can use your roadside assistance insurance to get a tow if you have it. A windshield replacement service might be able to come to your home and fix your windshield in some situations.
Sara Sam may not look like your typical car and finance expert, but don’t let that fool you. With over four years of experience in the industry, she knows all the ins and outs of cars, car insurance, and refinancing. You can trust Sara to help you navigate the often-confusing world of automobiles and financing.
