Windscreen damage is one of the most common reasons for a car insurance claim. In fact, most drivers will have had to deal with a chipped windscreen at some point. But does windscreen replacement count as a claim on your car insurance? The answer to this question will depend on your insurance company and the type of cover that you hold.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the process of claiming for windscreen damage, including whether you’ll have to pay an excess and if it will affect your no claims record.
Does Windscreen Repair Count As An Insurance Claim?
Whether or not your windscreen replacement will be counted as a claim on your car insurance policy will depend on the type of insurance that you have. The majority of fully comprehensive insurance policies include windscreen repair, but it’s how this cover is provided that makes the difference.
If windscreen cover is included in the main part of your insurance policy, it will be counted as a claim on your insurance. If it’s classed as a separate add on, it won’t count as a claim on your main insurance policy. This also means that claiming on your insurance for windscreen repair won’t affect your no claims bonus.
However, if the windscreen cover is included under your main insurance policy, it may count as a claim if you need windscreen repair, meaning that it could affect your no claims bonus. In this case, it’s always best to check with your insurance company so that you know where you stand.
Does Replacement Windscreen Affect No Claims?
In general, if you have a fully comprehensive insurance policy that includes windscreen cover and need to claim for windscreen replacement, this will count as a claim. However, in the majority of cases it will not affect your no claims discount and will not cause your insurance premiums to increase.
However, it’s always best to check with your insurer, as each insurance company has different rules.
Do You Have To Declare A Windscreen Claim To Your Insurer?
If you’ve claimed for windscreen repair or replacement within the past 5 years, you will need to declare it to your insurer every time you take out insurance. However, in most cases it will not affect your insurance premiums, meaning that the price shouldn’t go up.
Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover Windscreens?
Most fully comprehensive car insurance policies include windscreen protection. However, it’s always best to check your policy documents and the exact details may depend on your insurance policy.
How Much Is Windscreen Repair Excess?
The majority of car insurance providers will require you to pay an excess before repairing your car windscreen. Let’s take a look at how much some of the UK’s largest car insurance providers charge for windscreen repair. (Prices accurate as of January 2022)
Admiral
Windscreen repair excess: £25
Windscreen replacement excess: £115
Aviva
Windscreen repair excess: £10
Windscreen replacement excess: £115
Bell
Windscreen repair excess: £25
Windscreen replacement excess: £115
Churchill
Windscreen repair excess: £10
Windscreen replacement excess: £75
CSIS
Windscreen repair excess: £0
Windscreen replacement excess: £60
Diamond
Windscreen repair excess: £25
Windscreen replacement excess: £115
Direct Line
Windscreen repair excess: £10
Windscreen replacement excess: £75
Sainsbury’s
Windscreen repair excess: £10
Windscreen replacement excess: £75
Tesco
Windscreen repair excess: £10
Windscreen replacement excess: £75
When Does A Chipped Windscreen Need Replacing?
However small the damage to your windscreen may appear, it will have weakened the structure of your windscreen. This means that it could worsen at any time, causing cracks or even complete breakage of your windscreen.
For this reason, you should consult with an expert regarding your windscreen as soon as possible after noticing the damage. This is especially the case if the damage is in the middle of your windscreen, or in your direct eye line.
Is It Legal To Drive With A Chipped Windscreen?
Section 40 of the Road Traffic Act states that ‘a person is guilty of an offence if they use a vehicle on a road when its condition is such that it involves a danger of injury to any person’. If you drive with a damaged windscreen, whether that involves a chip or a crack, you could be charged with driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
Not only that, but you could also be contravening the Highway Code, which states that drivers should have a clear, full and uninterrupted view of the road ahead at all times.
If you’re caught driving with a damaged windscreen, you could face receiving three penalty points on your driving licence, along with a fine. However, if you are involved in an accident and the damage is deemed to have been a contributory factor, you could find yourself facing a more serious driving offence.
Will A Chipped Windscreen Fail An MOT?
If you have a chip on your windscreen, you might be wondering whether your car will pass its MOT. This will depend on the size of the chip or crack, as well as its location.
If the damage is directly in front of the eye line of the driver, your car will fail its MOT if the damage is 10mm in size or larger.
Alternatively, if the damage is not within the direct line of sight of the driver, your vehicle will fail its MOT if the damage is 40mm or larger.
How Can You Repair A Chip Or Crack On Your Windscreen?
If you have a chip or crack on your windscreen that’s within the legal limits, repairing it may be a viable option for you. Being able to repair a chip or crack will depend on its size and location.
To find out whether your damaged windscreen can be repaired, it’s always best to consult with an expert. They are best placed to advise you on whether the damage can be repaired and how much it will cost to do so.
What Causes Windscreen Cracks And Chips?
Windscreen cracks and chips can be caused by a variety of different things. This can include a stone hitting the windscreen, a collision with another vehicle or object, a sudden change in temperature or debris from road works. However, it can also be caused by the movement of your vehicle over speed bumps.
If you notice that your windscreen is damaged, it’s important to deal with this as soon as possible. This will prevent the damage from getting any larger and becoming more costly to repair.
Will My Cracked Windscreen Be Repaired Or Replaced?
Whether your damaged windscreen will be repaired or replaced will depend on the severity of the damage, as well as its location on your windscreen. For example, if the damage is close to the edge of your windscreen, it may not be possible to repair and may require replacement instead.
How To Prevent Windscreen Damage
Whilst it isn’t always possible to prevent damage to your windscreen from occurring, there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk of your windscreen being damaged. These include:
- Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, especially larger vehicles which may be more likely to spread debris.
- Avoid potholes that may cause tiny chips in your windscreen to turn into full cracks.
- Use a screen protector when your car is parked to protect it from damage from passing vehicles.
- Avoid pouring hot water over your windscreen to de-ice it. The extreme temperature change can cause the glass of your windscreen to crack.
In Summary
Driving with a damaged windscreen, including a chip or crack, can result in you receiving three penalty points on your driving licence and a fine. Not only that, but driving with a damaged windscreen puts both you and other road users at risk, so it’s best to deal with it as soon as you notice the damage.
Most fully comprehensive car insurance policies will include windscreen cover, but it’s always best to check with your individual insurance company as they may differ. If you’re wondering ‘does windscreen replacement count as a claim?’, the answer is yes, it is classed as a car insurance claim. However, the good news is that it is unlikely to cause your insurance premiums to increase, so you shouldn’t notice a price rise when the time comes to renew your car insurance.