A cracked or broken windshield is amongst one of the most common damages that can occur to a vehicle. As such, many drivers often wonder whether or not they can file an insurance claim for a broken windshield, especially since windshields can crack for a variety of reasons. These include storm damage, debris from the road, or even kids from the neighborhood that hit their ball way off target. Regardless, this article will guide you on whether or not car insurance policies cover a broken windshield.
Replacing vs. Repairing
Windshields are extremely durable and can endure a variety of damage. As such, a damaged windshield doesn’t always warrant a complete replacement. Depending on the type and severity of the damage, a windshield can indeed be repaired.
If the damage on your windshield is directly within the driver’s field of view, then they have to be replaced regardless. However, if the crack on your windshield is smaller than a dollar bill, then it can be repaired quickly without the need for replacement.
Type of Auto Coverage
The key to identifying whether or not you are eligible to file claims for your broken windshield will depend on the type of auto insurance you have. Comprehensive insurance is key to ensuring windshield coverage.
Comprehensive policies are an addition to your policy that isn’t legally required in any state, but a prerequisite for filing claims under the comprehensive policy. In most cases, comprehensive policies are packaged alongside collision insurance as well as any other coverage to accidents that can only be described as “acts of God”.
Essentially, comprehensive policies cover any sort of damages caused by anything aside from collision damage. The most common types of damage reasons filed under a comprehensive policy include:
- Road debris
- Wild animals
- Snow
- Hail
- Falling tree branches
- Flying baseball
- Vandalism
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Deductibles
Before insurers offer to pay any compensation, policyholders are often required to pay for deductibles. As such, do be notified that depending on the policy you hold, you might still be required to pay some fees to repair or replace your windshield.
Many auto insurance companies do offer policies that allow you to opt for no deductible fees. However, they mostly come with much higher premium costs, so you might be better off paying for deductibles depending on the terms of the policy.
In the case where repair fees of your windshield are lower than the cost of deductible fees, it might be wiser to just not claim at all.
Filing of Claims
Fortunately, filing a windshield claim is a matter that isn’t as severe as collision damage and other at-fault accidents. As such, you typically wouldn’t have to worry about premiums going up in response to the claim.
