While advancements in auto glass engineering have made cracked and shattered windshields less common, your car’s windshield and other windows are still prone to damage. A fallen tree branch, impact from another vehicle, or even an act of vandalism could leave you with a damaged or shattered windshield that requires replacement. And with total windshield replacement usually costing several hundred dollars or more, all drivers should be aware of whether or not their auto insurance policy will cover this type of damage.
Do You Have Comprehensive Coverage?
Take a minute to pull out your current auto insurance paperwork. Specifically, check to see if you have comprehensive coverage and if so, what’s included under this coverage. Most often, comprehensive coverage does provide protection against broken windshields and other auto glass. And in many cases, your insurance might cover the total cost of the replacement. If the damage to your windshield is minimal (for example, a small crack or chip), you may not even need total windshield replacement and may instead be able to get by with a glass repair. Either way, your insurance should pay for these costs subject to your comprehensive or glass deductible if you have comprehensive coverage that includes auto glass.
You’ll also want to check and see how an auto glass claim may affect your deductible and out-of-pocket expenses. Some car insurance companies will actually not require policy holders to pay a deductible for auto glass claims. However, some will require you to pay a deductible, so it’s always a good idea to check before you submit a claim. Depending on your current auto insurance deductible and the cost of your auto glass repair/replacement, it may actually make more financial sense to pay for the repairs or replacement yourself.
Worried about an auto glass claim affecting your insurance rates? While it’s always best to check with your insurance company, in most cases, a comprehensive auto glass claim should not have an impact on your policy premium at all.
Was the Damage Another Driver’s Fault?
Even if you don’t have comprehensive auto insurance coverage, there are still some instances where you may be able to have insurance cover the cost of your damaged or shattered windshield. A primary example of this would be a situation where you’re involved in an accident that shatters your windshield, but the accident is determined to be the other driver’s fault. In this case, the other driver’s liability insurance should kick in and pay for the damages.
Just be sure to follow the proper steps for filing a claim, such as submitting a copy of the police report and all other documentation for the accident to your insurance company. If you have any questions about your auto glass coverage, you can always give your insurance company a call for further information.
Nobody wants to face an unexpected auto glass repair or replacement bill, which is why knowing your auto insurance coverage limits ahead of time is helpful. If you don’t already have comprehensive coverage in place, you might consider adding it for your additional protection and peace of mind.
Look at details about what to do if you do not own a car or do not have a title to one. You can also find out more information about if your insurance will cover other drivers and what to do if someone hits your parked car.
