Your insurance should cover the cost of replacing or repairing a cracked windshield depending on which policy and the extent of its damage. Cracks smaller than two inches wide should be repairable without having to replace all of the glass in your windshield.
Filing a claim for cracked windshield damage follows the same process as for other claims and can be completed either by calling your agent or online. Filing quickly is essential as driving with cracked glass puts you at greater risk of an accident.
Comprehensive Coverage
Cracked windshields can be an extremely irritating annoyance and also pose serious safety hazards while driving. Some states actually have laws prohibiting you from operating your vehicle if your view is impaired in any way – even by cracked windshields! Luckily, comprehensive coverage may provide relief as comprehensive insurance could pay for repairs to fix this problem on its own.
First step to take with your insurer should depend on your state and policy: inform them about the issue, then a specialist may come out to inspect and evaluate whether repair or replacement would be best; most often they would recommend repair as it won’t interfere with vision while driving.
Assuming you have comprehensive glass coverage, your insurer should cover the cost of having your windshield repaired or replaced due to non-collision related damages like rocks hitting it or an act of vandalism.
If your windshield was damaged in an accident that was your responsibility, filing a collision claim with your insurance provider would likely cover its repair or replacement once any applicable deductible has been satisfied.
As most state insurance policies don’t specify when or how often cracked windshields should be repaired or replaced, auto insurers typically follow certain guidelines on when to have cracked glass inspected in order to avoid worsening over time. It is usually advised that drivers get this inspected as soon as possible to avoid worsening further down the line.
Note that if your windshield needs repair or replacement because of an incident that happened while driving, it would be wise to contact the police and obtain a copy of their report as this will be invaluable when communicating with your insurance agent or filing claims with insurer.
Collision Coverage
Collision coverage on your car insurance policy covers damage done to it during an accident, such as a cracked windshield if you rear-ended another vehicle or drove into a stationary object. Should this type of damage be your responsibility, collision insurance will cover its repair costs less the deductible amount chosen by you.
Comprehensive insurance may provide another form of reimbursement for cracked windshield repairs. It covers losses caused by incidents other than collision, such as an uncontrolled rolling object that damages your windshield or weather conditions that cause physical damage to your car. In cases where such damages result from negligence on someone else’s part, their liability policy could help pay your expenses.
Some comprehensive policies provide “full glass coverage,” which allows you to skip your deductible for glass repairs or replacement when filing claims. It’s only available in certain states and with certain insurers; so be sure to do your research and determine if this option suits your needs before purchasing this policy.
If you decide to submit a claim for a cracked windshield, it is imperative that it is done as quickly as possible. Delay increases the chance that cracks or chips spread and increase costs to repair. Furthermore, most auto glass shops working with insurers offer discounts when filing claims against your policy.
Be mindful of your windshield repair costs even if your insurance doesn’t cover them; even if they do not, repairing it should still be prioritized as many states prohibit driving with broken glass and driving with cracks can make driving more dangerous as they make visibility difficult and increase shatter risk when something else hits it.
Should you decide to file a claim for cracked or chipped windshield damage, your car insurance premium could increase due to your insurer reevaluating your driving record and assessing whether there’s increased risk from claims such as damaged windshields.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Insurance policies vary on whether or not they cover cracked windshields depending on their nature and extent. Most comprehensive policies cover replacement or repair if caused by events covered under your policy; for instance an accident, fallen tree branch or debris from acts of vandalism would usually qualify.
The key factor when it comes to windshield repair or replacement costs is whether they will exceed your insurer’s deductible amount. While costs vary based on make and model of vehicle, National Windshield Repair Association estimates repairing single crack or chips is around $150; however deductible amounts could be much higher; for instance some auto insurance policies have separate glass deductibles of $50 or $100 that must be met out-of-pocket before your insurer will cover anything. Furthermore, filing claims could raise your premiums.
If the crack or chip is relatively minor, it may be worthwhile to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim with your insurer. This is particularly true if the damage does not interfere with driving visibility or fall directly within your line of sight when driving. Furthermore, it could be worthwhile checking with your agent or insurance provider as to whether they can waive the standard deductible associated with glass claims.
Stress cracks may also be covered, which typically occur as the result of extreme temperature shifts and are more likely to appear along the edges of windows during winter. If your cracked windshield was caused by an accident that was your responsibility, notify police and obtain a copy of their report before filing a claim with insurance providers; some may require you to visit one or more glass or auto shops recommended by them in order to assess damage before deciding whether or not your claim can be approved.
Considering adding collision and comprehensive coverage may also be wise if it isn’t already part of your car insurance policy, as this will protect against damages to your car caused by uninsured drivers or external events outside your control. When adding collision and comprehensive coverage, your deductible for cracked windshield repairs could likely remain unchanged compared to repairs for other damages to your vehicle.
Windshield Replacement
Your windshield is vitally important when driving at high speeds, and any crack or chip should be addressed quickly to minimize its potential danger. While it’s impossible to completely prevent cracks from appearing in your windshield, there are certain steps you can take to minimize their severity and mitigate further risks of further cracking and chipping.
Location plays a pivotal role in whether or not a crack or chip can be repaired; if it falls within the driver’s field of vision, replacement may be necessary. Crack depth also matters as does type of car glass used – windshields typically utilize laminated glass with inner and outer layers separated by plastic sheets; this kind of laminated glass tends to stay intact when broken compared with other forms such as side and rear windows which typically use tempered glass, which shatters into tiny fragments upon breaking requiring replacement as soon as possible.
Windshield repair companies take several factors into account when assessing whether damage can be repaired. First and foremost is the severity of the damage; small cracks or chips may be repaired; if they extend across more of the windshield however they will likely require replacement. A technician will also take into account location – cracks in corners can often be fixed while those nearing drivers must usually be addressed differently.
Weather plays an integral part in how a cracked windshield is repaired, from heat from the sun and cold air causing expansion and contraction, spreading cracks further along. Rainwater or dirt entering an initial crack may further expand it as well.
Notifying your insurance provider immediately of windshield damage will ensure a quicker claim intimation process and help eliminate the stress of paying out-of-pocket replacement costs.
