Does insurance cover windshield replacement?

Was your car’s windshield recently damaged? Then you might be wondering if the cost of repairing or replacing it is covered under your car insurance policy. The answer depends on what coverage you have. Let's break it down.

Does auto insurance cover a cracked windshield?

As we mentioned, it depends on what type of car insurance coverage you have. If you just have basic car insurance, also known sometimes as PLPD insurance, which includes mandatory third-party liability coverage and accident benefits coverage, as well as uninsured motorist coverage and direct compensation-property damage coverage in some provinces, then your policy will not cover the cost of a windshield replacement.

However, if you purchased a car insurance policy with comprehensive coverage or collision coverage, there is a good chance that damage to your windshield will be covered. There are some differences between collision and comprehensive coverage, and we talk about them below.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage, sometimes called "parked car coverage", protects your vehicle from a variety of unexpected events that aren’t collision-related. It covers damage caused by insured perils, which you can choose when setting up your policy. Common insured perils under comprehensive coverage often include things like:

• Fire damage
• Hail damage
• Windstorm damage
• Lightning damage
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Falling objects
• Explosions
• Riots

If you’ve added comprehensive coverage to your policy, and the damage is caused by a covered peril, your insurer will cover the cost to repair or replace your windshield.

For example, if your windshield is cracked or chipped by a flying rock on the highway or a fallen tree branch, your insurance company will cover the repairs.

Collision coverage

Collision coverage, as the name suggests, protects your vehicle against collision-related damages. These include single-car accidents with stationary objects or collisions with another vehicle.

If you’ve added collision coverage to your policy, and your windshield was damaged in a collision, your insurer will cover the cost to repair or replace your windshield.

For example, if you were in a head-on collision and the impact caused your windshield to shatter, your insurance company will cover the repair costs to replace it.

Should I file a claim for windshield replacement?

The answer to this comes down to your car insurance deductible. A deductible is the amount you have to pay your insurance company before they'll cover the rest of the claim. Some types of coverage have deductibles and others don't.

Both collision and comprehensive coverage have their own deductibles. These amounts generally range from $250 and up to $2,000 or more, with the most common amounts being $500 or $1,000. So, what does this mean when filing a windshield replacement claim?

Well, in Canada, replacing a windshield generally costs between $200 and $500 or more. For standard vehicles, it’s usually on the lower end of the range. However, for luxury vehicles or cars with specialized features, the cost can be higher. Either way, the average seems to sit around $300.

So, let's say you're quoted $350 at an auto glass repair shop to replace your entire windshield, and your deductible is $500. This means it's actually $150 cheaper to pay for the replacement out of pocket because if you tried to file an insurance claim, you'd have to pay the full $500 first. If you're submitting a claim just for windshield damage, it's likely that your claim will be denied since it's below your deductible.

However, say you were quoted $450 to replace the windshield and your deductible was only $250. Then it might be worth filing an insurance claim because your insurance company could cover the remaining $200 after you paid your deductible.

However, it's important to keep in mind that filing any type of claim comes with the risk of increasing your insurance premiums upon your renewal. Plus, if you were given a claims-free discount, you'd lose that as well. Therefore, it's important to weigh the pros and cons of whether it's better to go through your insurance or just pay for the repair out of pocket.

Tips for preventing a broken windshield

Avoid damage and keep your windshield in tip-top shape by following the tips below:

Keep a safe distance when driving

Maintain a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles, especially cargo-carrying trucks and semis. Larger vehicles tend to dredge up rocks or stones that could leave you with a chipped or cracked windshield. Also, following too closely leaves you at risk of a front-end collision if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly, which could damage your windshield, along with the rest of your car.

Park inside a garage

Avoid weather-related damage by parking or storing your vehicle in the garage. If your home has a covered garage, park it in the garage as much as possible. If it doesn't, know where the closest indoor parking garage is in case there's a risk of severe weather. Windstorms, hail, and even excessive sunlight can damage your windshield.

Maintain your windshield wipers

Maintain your windshield wipers. Experts recommend that windshield wipers be changed annually. Worn-down wipers can damage your vehicle by causing fine scratches that can’t be removed. Further, always make sure your windshield wiper fluid is full.

Learn more with BrokerLink

Repairing or replacing a damaged windshield can be costly. Protect yourself by investing in comprehensive and collision car insurance coverage. Comprehensive coverage protects your car from a wide variety of perils, and collision coverage protects your car in a collision.

If your windshield is cracked, chipped, or pitted and you aren’t sure whether your insurance covers the cost of replacing it, contact BrokerLink. We are auto insurance experts and can review your policy to help you determine whether your insurance will cover your windshield replacement. And if it doesn’t, we can help you find a new auto insurance policy that protects you in the event of windshield damage.

Get in touch with BrokerLink today by calling 1-855-451-8748, sending us an email, or visiting any one of our locations throughout Canada. You can also use your online quote tool to request a complimentary insurance quote in minutes.

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FAQs on windshield replacement

Is a cracked windshield covered by insurance?

It can be, depending on what caused the crack and if you have collision or comprehensive insurance. However, if the cost to repair your windshield is around or less than your deductible, it may be better to pay for it out of pocket.

Will windshield replacement affect my insurance premium?

Windshield repairs and replacements are among the most common vehicle fixes. Whether your premium is affected depends on whether you file a claim and how many claims you’ve made. Frequent claims may result in an increase in the premium or deductible. In many cases, repairing a windshield can cost less than paying your deductible, so it’s worth checking your policy. Talk to your insurance advisor to figure out the best option for your situation.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.