Does a Car Insurance Policy Protect You from Windshield Damage?

A windshield is made up of laminated glass or solid safety glass. It is a fundamental safety unit that protects the car and the occupants from various unpredictable mishaps that they might encounter on the road. However, a small accident can lead to a crack or shattering of the windshield. So, does your car insurance cover windshield damage? Let's find it out.

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Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Damages?

Yes, a comprehensive car insurance policy covers damages caused to a car’s windshield. Your motor insurance company will bear the cost of replacing your vehicle’s damaged windshield. This happens because comprehensive car insurance covers any loss or damages sustained by a four-wheeler due to unforeseen events along with the policyholder’s third-party accidental liabilities.

Thus, any damages caused to your car’s front or back windshield due to an accident, natural calamities, or manmade disasters will be covered. But if you have only purchased the mandatory third-party insurance coverage, even the best car insurer will not provide coverage for damages caused to your own vehicle.

When is Windshield Damage Covered Under Car Insurance?

If a car's windshield gets cracked or shattered due to the following reasons, your motor insurance company will cover its repair or replacement costs.

• When your car collides with another car or third-party property
• If a tree or the branch of a tree falls on your car
• When hails fall on your car during a hailstorm
• If an animal collides with your car’s windshield
• When rocks or heavy items, such as plant pots, coconuts fall on the windscreen
• If a ball hits your car’s windshield
• During acts of vandalism. For example, when someone hits your car’s windshield with a stick. In such cases, you should ideally file an FIR at your nearest police station and then file a car insurance claim with your insurer.
• Debris or pebbles hitting the windshield while driving

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Deductibles Under Windshield Damage Claims

Some 4-wheeler insurance companies charge a deductible to car owners when they raise a claim against their car’s windscreen damages. In the insurance industry, a deductible is part of the claim amount policyholder agrees to pay during claim settlement and shares the liability

According to the terms and conditions of the policy, the policyholder has to pay a deductible, and the insurer will be legally liable to pay the remaining claim amount to you.

Read More: What Does Car Insurance Cover?

How to Avail Benefits of Windshield Claims at Home?

This is a complimentary service offered by Policybazaar.com that is available under your comprehensive 4-wheeler insurance policy. As per it, if your home is at least 20 km away from the authorised network garage, they will send a car mechanic to fix the broken windshield at home.

This service is available when you opt to get your car repaired under an insurance claim only at the partner garages offering windshield claims at home.

Exclusions of Windshield Claims at Home Service

Any damage due to the following events or situations will not be covered under windshield claims-

• Any damages resulting from the manufacturing defects of your car’s windshield
• Any depreciation suffered by the windshield of your car
• Any damages resulting from events or perils which are not mentioned in your four wheeler insurance documents.

Also Read: Is Nut Bolt Covered Under Car Insurance?

Tips to Maintain and Protect Your Car’s Windshield

Of course, your car windshield is designed specifically in such a manner that it does not shatter away if an unforeseen event or an accident takes place. However, to maintain & protect it from several unforeseen instances, here is a list of tips you can follow-

• Always park your car in the shade as extreme temperatures can weaken the glass and lead to the windshield developing a crack.
• Replace poor windshield wipers if they fail to push all the water away from the glass. Wipers lose their shape over time and it reduces the strength of the windscreen glass making it weak.
• Do not slam your car door while shutting it. It sends shock waves to your car’s windscreen glass and weakens it.
• Maintain a safe distance between your car and the vehicle moving ahead of you. This will prevent your car’s windshield from getting damaged by any heavy object falling out of the vehicle ahead of you as well as the stones flung back by it.
• Don’t wash your car’s windshield with any harsh chemicals, as it will remove the protective coating on the windscreen glass and can also lead to discolouration. Instead, use automobile makers' approved cleaning products to wash it.

Wrapping Up!

A car's windshield is an important part of the motor vehicle, and driving without it can be dangerous. Thus, you should follow the tips to maintain your car’s windshield in good condition. However, damages to the windshield due to several reasons can be covered by your comprehensive car insurance plan. Also, you can avail the benefit of the additional service 'Windshield Claims at Home' offered by Policybazaar.com.