What could be more relaxing than reading (or writing!) a 650-word piece about auto insurance? After much brain-racking, I have come up with one idea: drying towels. The law in the United States requires you to have auto insurance if you own a vehicle. This article focuses on one aspect of auto insurance coverage, glass coverage.
What’s the point?
This information page is not intended to help you navigate the maze of auto insurance companies, options, and riders. You can’t decide if you want “good hands” and a talking lizard. To get your support, look at the websites these companies have invested a lot of money on. You could also consider hiring an insurance agent who is trustworthy to represent you. Insurance agents are people who believe insurance is fun and can therefore be trusted to answer your insurance questions accurately. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America website is a good resource to find a reputable agent.
What’s the point?
This article focuses on one aspect of auto insurance coverage: the glass coverage. Do you need it? Do you need it? A glass coverage rider is usually inexpensive and can be added to most policies for less than $10 per year. It could be a smart investment considering the high cost of replacing a windshield (on average, it can cost more than $200). For a quick quote using the particulars of your vehicle, go to http://www.safelite.com and click the “get an instant quote” link.
Before you make any insurance decisions, however, it is important to assess your personal situation. What amount of driving do you do each year? What conditions? What type of roads are they?
Let’s take a look at each question individually.
1. How much driving do your do?
Glass coverage may not be necessary if you drive less than 3.5 miles per Sunday to attend church and keep your car in a garage for the rest of the week. If you drive for a lot of time, or if you are driving frequently, the chances of your windshield getting damaged by road debris, flying junk from passing motorists, and misguided birds is statistically higher. To get an idea of how long you spend driving, calculate your weekly, monthly and yearly mileage. You may be surprised by the results.
2. What conditions are you allowed to drive?
Are you able to drive in severe weather conditions? Windy and stormy conditions can increase the chances of debris being blown into your vehicle. Sub-freezing temperatures can make your windows more vulnerable to damage, as they are more fragile.
3. What kind of roads do your cars travel on?
You are more likely to be hit by a vehicle that has thrown a stone at you if you drive on unpaved roads. You also have a higher chance of being damaged by long-haul trucks and construction vehicles, which often drop pieces of junk as they go. Your speed also means that anything that hits your windshield will be colliding with it at an increased rate.
You’re essentially saying that my auto insurance should cover glass.
I’m not an agent for auto insurance. I do not work for any auto insurer. I do not play an insurance agent on television. This information is intended to assist you in making your decision. It also contains the opinions of this author on auto insurance. However, I will admit that I have glass coverage and it has allowed me to replace windshields over the past three-years. This, my friend is better than driving around in goggles and scarfs like a WWI pilot.
