Damage to your windshield can sneak up on you. Whether it’s just from the sudden frost causing your windshield to constrict from the temperature or because a stone flew up and hit your windshield as you were driving, it unfortunately happens.
Most of the time windshield damage is unexpected and inconvenient which makes a lot of people automatically think about their insurance. After all, you purchased auto insurance to cover the unexpected and keep your car in good condition, didn’t you?
What Does Insurance Cover?
There are only a few parts of your vehicle that are as important to your safety as your windshield. Your windshield is a critical component of the safety restraint system in your car. It keeps you inside the vehicle during an accident and acts as a barrier for the airbags to bounce off of when they initially deploy. It can also hold the weight of your car if your vehicle becomes flipped. Most people aren’t aware of how necessary the windshield is to each car.
This may lead to the question – Is it worth an insurance claim, if and when my windshield becomes damaged? Well that answer is multi-layered and in this article, we go over just over.
Your Insurance Policy & Coverage
Frankly, that depends on a few things like, what kind of insurance coverage is in your policy? If the damage that has occurred is due to any reason other than a collision, then you will need to have a comprehensive insurance policy. Comprehensive insurance will include auto glass coverage in the event of theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, and even animal collisions.
Some states require comprehensive insurance to include non-deductible windshield repair or replacement. The best way to find out if your comprehensive insurance covers auto glass service is to look at your plan or call your insurance agent and ask. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you may be given the opportunity to purchase a rider in addition to your standard policy. However, this will depend on your insurance company and your police.
The terms of the rider will tell you what type of windshield damage is covered. You may also want to check with your insurance agent to find out exactly what’s included and if there are any additional costs. Each policy is different but there are some that are very specific, which may limit the option to file a claim for the damaged windshield.
If you only have liability coverage without a rider, then you most likely cannot file an insurance claim to replace your windshield. It would then be best to just pay out of pocket, instead of going through a complicated process of attempting a claim that most likely won’t even be possible.
Making An Insurance Claim
Making a claim with your insurance company can often result in negative points against your policy and it may even raise your monthly rate. It’s important to determine whether it’s worth it to file a claim with your insurance company or to just pay for the repair out of pocket.
In most cases outside of a collision, windshield damage is considered to be “no claim” or “no-fault” by comprehensive insurance policies. This means that the claim will not count against your insurance policy or driving record, so it will not raise your rate.
Events in which you will need to make a standard insurance claim to get your windshield replaced is in the event of an accident or if you’ve had a collision with someone’s pet as you can be liable for hitting their property. Accidents typically include car collisions or situations in which the windshield was damaged unintentionally.
Check your deductible before you file an insurance claim. Is it close to or does it exceed the price of the windshield replacement? This is important because your deductible will determine how much you’ll pay for the windshield repair. There are times where it may not even end up being cost-effective for you.
Again, the exception to this is if you have comprehensive insurance in a state where the insurance company is required to provide a no deductible windshield replacement. Then, filing a claim would be your absolute best option. Keep reading to learn more about filing a claim.
Finding The Claim Paperwork
Depending on your insurance company, you’ll usually find the claims paperwork on the company’s website. If not, call your insurance agent and ask them to send you the right paperwork. Depending on the insurance company and agent, they may even fill it out on your behalf.
Sometimes, the insurance company may require an inspection of the damage before they pay out. They will agree to cover up to a specific amount to replace the windshield and may even make some service provider suggestions. The claim process isn’t completed overnight either, it is important to be patient during this process. Insurance companies deal with hundreds of claims every day and in order for them to get it right, they have to take the necessary steps in order to properly complete it.
Pro Tip: Repair Shops May File For You
Auto glass repair shops will often do all of this work for you but you have to go to them first.
Before filing a claim with your insurance, make sure to shop around for windshield replacement quotes. This helps you get the best possible price and quality for your windshield replacement, but also most insurance approved shops will do the paperwork and filing process for you. It may be easier to have a professional help you out during this process.
If you select an insurance approved shop, all you have to do is call them to get your insurance claim process started. They do all of the work for you, it’s usually that easy!
Fast Glass, Inc offers fast, affordable and friendly windshield repair service and windshield replacement service for all makes and models, including truck glass, RV glass, and motorhome glass. We offer rock chip repair and windshield replacement all in the shop and if that doesn’t work, we’ll come to you!
About Fast Glass Inc.
We have installed over 1,000,000 Windshields and over 150,000 windows over the past 39 years and are the leaders in our industry. No one even comes close to matching our record in Nevada or Idaho.
We have some of the most highly skilled glazing technicians in the entire world, with an average of 17 years of experience. Rest assured that your vehicle, home, or building is in highly capable hands.
We are a local family owned and operated business. We have been in business providing the highest quality since 1978.