Modern windshields are extremely durable, but they are not completely resistant to damage. Flying rocks, baseballs and falling debris can cause chips and cracks, and with the average windshield replacement costing between $200 and $400, do you know how you’d pay for it? Thankfully, it is possible to have your glass damage covered under certain circumstances if you have the right type of auto insurance policy.
How Windshield Damage Occurs
- Flying Road Debris – Road debris, such as flying rocks and debris or unsecured items on trailers, can land on your windshield. To avoid windshield damage from flying debris, it’s important to never follow trucks or cars towing trailers too closely.
- Flying and Falling Objects – Tree branches and flying objects, like baseballs, can land on your windshield and cause damage. In order to avoid this type of damage, you should avoid parking under trees, and if possible, always park your car in a garage.
- Weather-Related Damage – Severe thunderstorms can send objects, like tree branches and unsecured lawn décor crashing into your car and its windshield. Hail can also chip and crack the glass. In the event of severe weather, you’ll want to make sure your car is parked under a carport or inside a garage.
- Vandalism – In some cases, your windshield damage may be caused by acts of vandalism, like someone hitting your windshield with a baseball bat or other heavy object. While you may not be able to prevent this type of damage while you are running errands or at work, parking your car in a locked garage when you are at home can prevent vandals from reaching it.
Comprehensive Insurance for Windshield Damage
If you are worried about damage to your vehicle’s glass and how you would pay for the damage, you may be pleased to know that comprehensive car insurance is designed to help pay for chips and cracks in windshields. Comprehensive car insurance is a type of insurance policy that helps financially protect you if your vehicle is damaged by a non-accident related event, like severe weather, vandalism, fire, theft, and even road debris.
When you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, and you notice a chip or crack in your windshield glass, you can call Midwest Insurance Solutions and file a claim. If your claim is approved, you’ll be able to take your vehicle to a glass repair shop and have the chip repaired or the entire windshield replaced for much less than it would cost to replace or repair the glass from your own finances. For example, if the repair is $200, and you have a $100 deductible for your comprehensive insurance policy, you’d pay $100, and the insurance company would pay the other $100 toward the glass repair.
If you do not have comprehensive insurance coverage for your vehicle, getting it is easy. All you have to do is call one of our insurance agents and ask to have comprehensive insurance added to your existing policy or have a new policy created for you. Once you agree to the premium amount and pay, you will be better financially protected if your car’s windshield is damaged by a flying or falling object.
