The car insurance information contained within these pages is based on information supplied by The Claims Guru, a site packed with useful information about the inner workings of insurance companies and their products.
Windscreen Cover
All comprehensive policies provide a policy extension to cover the cost of a replacement windscreen. Some third party fire and theft policies can add this option for an extra premium. This part of your policy provides special cover for the glass in your car. Not only is your windscreen protected but all of your door and window glass, hatchback glass and some insurers even provide for sunroof glass. If you use your insurers specialist glass firm (there are several of these around now), all you will pay is the reduced excess for this section (often £50). Should you notice a small chip or crack in any of your glass, get it repaired and you pay no excess at all. Insurers prefer to repair if possible. It's a lot cheaper! That is why they let you off the excess.
"I had been shopping for a plant all day and was on my way home. As I reached an inter-section a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision and I did not see the other car."
Extracts taken from actual claim forms submitted to
a number of UK car insurance companies
Although it's possible to get windscreen work done by a car dealer or local garage, they often charge more than the specialists. Your insurer might try and discourage this by insisting you pay first and claim it back by filling in a claim form, something you would not have to do if you used their recommended supplier who would charge the insurer directly, without you having to be out of pocket whilst claims are processed.
A good motor policy will let you have any number of windscreen claims without any impact on your no claims bonus although you will be required to pay the excess each time.
