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Written by Michael Foote, Insurance and Finance Expert
Michael Foote is the founder of Quote Goat and has over 13 years experience working in the finance, insurance and currency sectors. Since launching Quote Goat he has appeared on TV as well as many of the largest online publications including Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro. Prior to Quote Goat, he worked in finance in the city for a number of firms including HSBC.
A cracked windscreen is a common maintenance issue that can occur at any time. Falling debris, pieces of gravel or vandalism can all cause damage to your windscreen and while it might not seem like such a big deal, any crack or chip longer than 1 centimetre can actually cause you to fail your MOT.
If your windscreen does suffer damage, then repairs can be costly. While smaller chips can usually be rectified with a cheap adhesive injection, if the damage is severe then prepare yourself for an eye-watering bill as the costs can venture into the hundreds.
Enter the room windscreen insurance. Protecting yourself with cover means that in the event any damage to your window occurs, you won’t have to fork out any exorbitant fees to get it repaired. As with all types of cover, there’s a fee – so, to help you decide if windscreen cover is worth it for you, here are the main things you should know.
What is windscreen cover?
Having windscreen cover means that in the event you have to pay for damage to be repaired, you can recoup those costs by submitting a claim. Although it’s called “windscreen cover”, you’ll usually be insured for damage to all other windows on your vehicle, too – including the sunroof in some cases.
How will the damage be treated?
This will completely depend on the severity of the damage and the area of the glass it’s located. Most windscreen companies will divide the area of glass into different zones, ranging from A-D, A being the glass just in front of the driver and D sitting around the edge of the window.
This can greatly influence how the damage is treated. In zone A, for example, any windscreen with damage that exceeds 10mm will need to be replaced completely, whereas damage of up to 45mm can be repaired in zone D. Your specialist will assess the damage before discussing your options with you.
Will it affect your premium?
This will depend on your policy. Some comprehensive cover includes windscreen cover, but if you make a claim under the umbrella of your main policy then you run the risk of losing your no-claims bonus and it’s likely your excess will also be higher.
To avoid this, get your windscreen cover as an add-on and you’ll protect your no-claims in the event you need to make a claim.
Will I have to pay excess?
As with all cover, the amount of excess will depend on the policy and what you agreed to pay when you took out that policy. The cost of excess for windscreen repair can set you back anything from £10 – £150 so be sure to check the excess before you agree to any policy as there might be a nasty surprise waiting for you when it’s time to make a claim.
What does windscreen cover cost?
The cost to cover your windscreen is usually minimal but you should check with insurance providers when you compare your car insurance as the fee can differ significantly depending on who you go with. Look to pay no more than £20 for the year.