When you’re driving down the road and see part of your windshield shatter, it may seem like your bank account just shattered as well. The truth is, you may not have to pay as much as you think. Keep reading to learn more about how your car insurance covers glass damage.
How Much Does a Glass Repair Cost?
The cost of a glass damage repair depends on the make and model of your car. Many modern cars don’t just have a simple piece of glass. Sensors and other technology are often embedded in the windshield. You may also have special tinting or a unique shape designed for your car’s aerodynamics.
For older cars without these features, the cost of a windshield repair can be around $100-150. For newer cars where you need to replace and reconnect technology and not just simple glass, the cost can range from $1,200 to over $2000!
How Can You Prevent Glass Damage?
The first step in preventing glass damage is safe, defensive driving. The chance of an object being kicked up by someone else’s tires and thrown into your windshield is just one more reason always to keep a safe following distance.
Always be on the lookout for dump trucks, pickup trucks, trailers, or other vehicles that may have loose objects in them. Keep back to avoid being struck by anything that flies out. While a driver who doesn’t secure their load is potentially liable, it can be hard to prove how your windshield was damaged, and you want to avoid the hassle of a repair.
If your windshield is damaged, get it repaired as soon as possible. Some small chips can be filled in instead of having the entire windshield replaced. The resin filling prevents the chip from turning into a large crack with the additional stress of high speeds or temperature changes. These claims are also often excluded for consideration in determining your insurance rates. Basically, your insurance company would rather pay for a small claim now than for a larger injury caused by reduced visibility or a weakened windshield later. Most insurance carriers waive a deductible for repairs.
What Kind of Glass Coverage is Available on Your Car Insurance?
Glass damage is typically covered under the comprehensive coverage portion of your car insurance policy. It’s only considered a collision if the glass breaks as part of a direct crash with another vehicle. As with other claims, you would need to pay your deductible before your coverage kicks in. If you’re able to prove how the damage occurred, you can make a claim against the at-fault party to reimburse you for your deductible or other uncovered expenses.
Because of how important windshields are to your safety and the difficulty of proving claims, several car insurance companies offer full glass coverage. Full glass coverage is a separate coverage that gives you a lower or no deductible for any glass claims.
Talk to Your Insurance Agent
Want to learn more about what kind of glass coverage you have or how to get full glass coverage? Talk to an insurance agent at Thiel Insurance Group.
