Does Your Car Insurance Cover A Broken Windshield?

Think your car’s windshield protects you? Well, it may do so from regular stuff like pigeon poop and small damages, but not against dangers like rocks, branches and even coconuts. Keep your car parked on the road side, under a tree or beside a construction building and see what happens. Having comprehensive car insurance shall cover any damage to your windshield. However, it will not save you from third-party liability insurance. But it will pay for replacements and repairs if the damage was due to an accident.

Comprehensive car insurance for your broken windshield

Are you confused whether your comprehensive car insurance plan shall protect you against damages to your windshield? Well, don’t be confused any more. The answer is yes, but you need to have a comprehensive car insurance policy. When you have this, the insurance company shall take care of all the damage expenses, but not if you own a third-party liability mandatory insurance.

What if you do not have a comprehensive car insurance policy? If your car’s windshield is damaged in an accident, the car owner causing the damage shall be liable to pay for the damage, repairs and the like for your windshield. In such cases, you can file a claim with the third-party car. If the claim is valid, the third-party insurer shall bear all the expenses.

Comprehensive policy bearing the windshield repair costs

A comprehensive car insurance policy takes care of your expenses incurred when the expense is for the replacement and repair of your cracked, chipped, or broken windshield. However, you can file the claim only if the type of damage is covered under the policy. There are some policies which cover just the repair cost, while there are others that cost both replacement and repair. If your policy supports it, you can get the repairs done for free from a cashless garage, or else you’ll need to pay a bit of money yourself.

So what if you do not own comprehensive car insurance? Damages not caused by third-party cars shall not be covered by your car insurance policy.

When your windshield is protected by a comprehensive car insurance policy

The windshield is there for your protection, but it can take only so much buffeting. It can crack due to a collision, and even when there is no collision. Vibration plays a big factor. A policy protects you from vandalism, accidents, fire, and more. It also protects you from flood, storm, hailstorm, and more. In these following circumstances, you can file a claim.

1. Rocks, branches and likewise heavy objects falling on the windshield

2. Debris and pebbles

3. Hailstorm

4. Windshield getting hit by a football or baseball

5. Due to collision of animals

6. Due to vandalism

Filing claim for windshield repair

It is quite expensive to repair and replace a damaged windshield. If this is the case, do get in touch with your insurer. Tell them what the damage is and do file for a claim of the insurance money. After all, that’s what it’s there for. Here you have two choices: submit the claim online, or write them an application. If the damage is due to vandalism, you need to file and FIR at the nearest police station before filing for the insurance claim.

Once this is done, take your vehicle to a cashless garage. The expert mechanics there shall inspect the vehicle and the damage, after which they shall suggest you either repair or replacement. If the damage is just cracks or if the windshield is partially damaged, a repair will be enough. If there is significant damage, a replacement may be what is needed. If these events are covered by your car insurance, the company shall bear the cost.

Think about the deductibles before making the claim

When filing for an insurance claim, there are compulsory and voluntary deductibles to take care of before getting the claim amount. Always compare the claim amount to the deductible total. If the difference is small, go for the claim. If the deductible total is significant, think twice before filing. However, know that there are some insurance companies that all file for the claims without requiring you to pay deductibles. 

It is never safe to drive with a broken windshield. Vision can be bad, and driving in such conditions is not at all recommended at night. Besides, your windshield can just fall off due to speed breakers. So as soon as you see damage, make a claim under your comprehensive car insurance policy. Never take a cheap car insurance policy, as those are of little use.