Windshield cracking or damage is unavoidable. It could happen if your vehicle is hit by an external element, such as a rock. And the thing is, it can happen at any time, especially if you tend to park your car in open areas, such as on the road, under a tree, or near a construction site, etc.
At the same time, you can’t escape the fact that replacing or repairing the windshield is a costly affair.
So, what’s the option?
Of course, get car insurance!
More often than not, people ask whether or not car insurance covers windshield replacement cost. If you also have the same question, we insist on reading this post.
This post shall answer your question so that you are prepared beforehand.
So, let’s get started…
Does Car Insurance cover your windshield replacement cost?
If you’re looking for a quick answer, then “YES,” comprehensive car insurance will cover damage to the windshield. There are various factors that determine the windshield replacement cost.
However, what are the conditions for getting your windshield replacement cost covered?
The first and most important condition for having your windshield replacement costs covered is to purchase a comprehensive insurance policy. If you have comprehensive car insurance, any damage to your car’s windshield can be repaired without incurring any additional costs.
However, if you have basic third-party liability insurance, I’m afraid it won’t cover the cost of a new windshield.
In case you don’t have comprehensive insurance, but your car is hit by another third-party vehicle, causing serious damage to the windshield, the insurer of the other car involved in the accident is obligated to pay for the cost of repairing your car’s windshield. You’ll need to file a claim with the third-party vehicle owner in this situation. If your claim is found to be valid, the third-party insurer will be obligated to pay for the repair/replacement of your windshield.
Comprehensive Policy and Windshield Repair
A comprehensive car insurance policy will cover the costs of repairing and replacing a chipped, cracked, or broken windshield. In such cases, however, you can only file a claim for compensation with your insurer if your policy covers the cause of the damage.
Depending on your policy terms, you may be able to get the repair done for free at a cashless garage, or you may have to pay the bills.
If you do not have a comprehensive car insurance plan and the damage to your windshield was not caused by a third-party vehicle, you will have to pay the entire cost. Your insurer will not be responsible for the repair or replacement.
Windshield damages are covered under a comprehensive policy
A comprehensive car insurance policy will cover any physical damage to your car’s windshield caused by a collision or non-collision. This includes damage to the windshield caused by man-made disasters such as accidents, fire, vandalism, and so on, and natural disasters such as floods, storms, and windstorms.
Following are the situations, you can file a claim with your insurance company for windshield repair:
- If the glass was hit by rocks, debris, tree branches, etc.
- Glass broke when a tree fell on it.
- The windshield got damaged due to a storm; hail falls on the windshield.
- Crashing baseballs or footballs into the windshield
- Collisions between animals and the windshield
- If the glass got damaged due to the act of vandalism.
How to file a windshield repair claim?
Well, in the era of technology, things have become easier. Now you can submit a claim online. If you find it a task, then write an application to the insurer. Make sure you get it done from a cashless garage that your company has tie-ups to avail a cashless facility. Your insurer will settle the money.
If the windshield of your car is damaged due to an act of vandalism, you’ll need to follow the following steps to file a claim:
- First, you’ll need to call the police.
- Get your copy of FIR.
- File the claim with your insurer.
- Then, take your car to a garage that your company has tie-ups with to avail a cashless facility.
The expert technician will inspect the damage and suggest a repair or replacement accordingly. Experts may recommend a repair if the windscreen has a small chip or crack or is partially damaged.
However, if the item is completely damaged, a replacement may be suggested. In both cases, the insurance company will incur the cost if the events that caused the damage are covered by the policy.
How to file a claim in case of a different garage other than a network garage?
If you don’t have any network garage in the nearby locality or you don’t want to get it done at the network garage, then follow the steps below:
- Take your vehicle to your known mechanic.
- Get it inspected.
- Get the windshield repaired or replaced.
- Pay the bills at the counter.
- Collect all the bills (you will need to submit them while filing the claim for reimbursement).
- Submit the bills to the insurance company at the time of claiming for reimbursement.
NOTE: You will need to submit the documents requested by the insurer.
Will I get the entire car insurance claim reimbursed or settled?
If your policy includes both mandatory and voluntary deductibles, you must pay the deductible amount.
Compare the cost of replacement/repair to your copay; if the estimated cost of your windshield repair is less than or a tad more than the deductible, there is no point in filing a claim.
As a result, it is advised to purchase car insurance that covers windshield repair/replacement without the payment of a deductible.
Wrapping it up…
So, these are the different conditions that you must fulfill to get your windshield replacement cost covered. Make sure you get your windshield replaced as soon as you see a crack or damage. Driving with a broken windshield can be life-threatening.
Know that some policies only cover the cost of repair, while others cover both repair and replacement.
So make sure you read all the terms and conditions before signing the dotted lines. Also, don’t miss to conduct extensive research before buying a car insurance.