Will Insurance Cover a Cracked Windshield?
2 Answers
If you have separately purchased auto glass breakage insurance, you can file an insurance claim. If the vehicle is insured with comprehensive insurance (also known as collision insurance) and also has separate glass breakage insurance, the insurance company will cover the cost of repairing or replacing the windshield regardless of the cause of the breakage. However, if the vehicle is only insured with comprehensive insurance and does not have separate glass breakage insurance, the insurance company will only cover the windshield repair or replacement if the breakage is part of a larger accident that caused other damages to the vehicle. If the accident only resulted in glass breakage with no other damages, the insurance company will not cover the cost. Here is some information about glass breakage insurance: Glass Insurance: This is a type of commercial insurance where the insurance company is responsible for compensating the insured vehicle for losses due to glass breakage during use. Glass Breakage: Refers to situations where only the windshield or window glass (excluding headlights and mirror glass) of the insured vehicle is damaged. The insurance terms include the following: Coverage Scope: This insurance is an add-on to the vehicle comprehensive insurance. Only vehicles insured with comprehensive insurance can purchase this additional coverage. Insurance Liability: During the insurance period, if the insured vehicle's windshield or window glass is broken during use, the insurer will compensate for the actual loss. The policyholder can voluntarily choose to insure for either imported or domestic glass in consultation with the insurer, and the insurer will bear the corresponding insurance liability based on the choice. Exclusions: The insurer will not compensate for the following losses of the insured vehicle: breakage of headlights or mirror glass, or glass breakage during vehicle installation or repair. How the Coverage Amount is Determined: The insurance company usually compensates for glass breakage based on the actual loss. When purchasing the insurance, there is no need to determine the coverage amount, but you must specify whether the coverage is for domestic or imported glass to determine the compensation standard during the claim process. About Insurance Compensation: The insurance company is responsible for compensating for the separate breakage of the vehicle's windshield and window glass.
I've encountered this situation before where the windshield was cracked by a flying stone. Whether insurance covers it mainly depends on whether your auto damage insurance includes standalone glass breakage coverage. If you only have basic auto damage insurance, the insurer might not cover standalone glass damage. However, if the glass was damaged along with other parts of the vehicle, then you can file a claim. It's best to check your policy or directly consult your insurance agent. Remember to take proper photos of the scene when filing a claim, including close-ups of the crack and wide shots. Actually, many new auto insurance policies now bundle glass coverage, and the additional cost isn't expensive. For repairs, I recommend choosing professional shops rather than ordinary small workshops, as poor-quality glass can affect driving safety.
