A small chip in your car’s windscreen might seem minor, but it can quickly become a costly problem. Left unattended, chips can spread into cracks, especially with changes in weather, potentially leading to a full replacement. For many drivers, the cost of a repair or replacement can be a significant unexpected expense. This is where windscreen cover, often an add-on to your car insurance, comes into play. Understanding what it covers and how it works can save you money and hassle down the line.
What is Windscreen Cover?
Windscreen cover is an optional extra for your car insurance. It specifically protects you against the cost of repairing or replacing your car’s windscreen if it becomes chipped, cracked, or smashed. Some policies extend this cover to include side and rear windows, and even sunroofs. The primary goal is to prevent minor damage from escalating into a more expensive problem.
What I’d check first is whether my current policy already includes this. Many fully comprehensive policies do, but it’s essential to confirm the specifics, as some may have an excess. If it’s not included, I’d then look at the cost of adding it versus the potential cost of a repair or replacement out of pocket.
Why Windscreen Damage Matters
Damage to your windscreen isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it can have significant safety and legal implications. A small chip, if left unrepaired, can spread rapidly due to vibrations from driving or temperature changes. This can compromise the structural integrity of the entire windscreen. If a crack is larger than a £2 coin, it might require a full replacement. Furthermore, certain types of damage could lead to your car failing its MOT test. For instance, a chip within the driver’s direct line of vision that is larger than 10mm could be an MOT failure. Similarly, damage larger than 40mm outside the driver’s vision could also cause a failure.
The cost of repairs can vary. A small chip might be fixed privately for around £50. However, a full windscreen replacement is considerably more expensive. For a Ford Fiesta, this could range from £210 to £420. For a more premium vehicle like a Mercedes A Class, the cost could be between £198 and £390. These figures highlight why having adequate cover is important, especially considering that the number of motor insurance policies that do not provide windscreen cover has tripled in the last four years.
If I noticed a chip on my windscreen, my first step would be to get it assessed by a professional. Many insurers offer free windscreen repairs, so it’s worth checking if that’s an option before the damage worsens and potentially requires a more expensive replacement.
Common Misunderstandings About Windscreen Cover
Exclusion of Side and Rear Windows
One common misunderstanding is that windscreen cover only applies to the front windscreen. While the primary focus is the windscreen, many policies extend to cover side and rear windows, as well as sunroofs. It’s crucial to check your policy documents to understand the full extent of the glass cover provided. Some policies might have different excess levels for different types of glass damage.
The Role of Excess
While windscreen cover is designed to save you money, it’s not always a completely free service. There’s often an excess to pay. For windscreen repairs, this excess typically ranges from £0 to £100, often around £75. For a full windscreen replacement, the excess can be higher, usually between £75 and £150. This means that even with cover, you’ll still be liable for a portion of the cost. It’s important to compare the excess amount with the cost of a private repair or replacement to see if making a claim is financially beneficial.
Coverage for Advanced Technology
Modern cars are increasingly fitted with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as emergency brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. These systems often rely on sensors integrated into the windscreen. When a windscreen is replaced, these sensors need to be recalibrated for the systems to function correctly. The cost of this recalibration can be substantial, sometimes adding hundreds of pounds to the replacement bill. Many comprehensive windscreen cover policies now include the cost of ADAS recalibration, but this is not always the case. If I were buying a car with these features, I’d specifically ask about ADAS recalibration coverage under the windscreen policy.
Policy Clarity
A significant issue is that four in ten insurance products still do not clearly define whether windscreen cover is provided. This ambiguity can lead to nasty surprises when a claim is made. Some insurers are removing windscreen cover from their offering to provide cheaper premiums, meaning it’s no longer a standard inclusion on many entry-level policies. Drivers might assume they are covered when they are not, leading them to lose the saving they made on the policy when they eventually need to claim for damage.
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| Type of Damage | Typical Excess | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen Repair | £0–£100 (often £75) | Insurers prefer repairs as they are cheaper and quicker. |
| Windscreen Replacement | £75–£150 | May be higher for vehicles with advanced technology. |
| Side/Rear Window Repair | £75–£150 | Often covered under broader glass insurance. |
| Side/Rear Window Replacement | £75–£150 | Check policy for specific coverage limits. |
Getting Your Windscreen Fixed
Assessing the Damage
The first step after noticing damage is to assess its severity. Small chips, often smaller than a £2 coin, can usually be repaired. Repairs are significantly cheaper and quicker than replacements, and insurers generally prefer them. If the chip is within the driver’s line of vision and larger than 10mm, it might be an MOT failure. If the damage is outside the driver’s vision and larger than 40mm, it could also lead to a failed MOT.
Contacting Your Insurer
If your policy includes windscreen cover, your next step is to contact your insurance provider or their approved repair network. They will guide you through the claims process. It’s important to note that windscreen claims typically do not affect your no-claims bonus, which is a significant advantage.
Repair vs. Replacement
Your insurer or repairer will determine whether a repair is possible or if a full replacement is necessary. If a repair is feasible, it’s usually carried out on-site or at a local garage. If a replacement is needed, especially for modern cars with integrated cameras or sensors, the process can be more complex and costly. These advanced systems require recalibration after replacement to ensure they function correctly, and this cost is often covered by comprehensive windscreen policies.
Considering Out-of-Pocket Costs
If your policy does not include windscreen cover, or if the excess is high, you might consider paying for the repair or replacement privately. For a small chip, this could cost around £50. However, for a full replacement, costs can range from £167 for a BMW 1 Series to over £400 for a Ford Fiesta, and even higher for vehicles with advanced technology. If windscreen cover is not included in a basic policy, drivers may lose the saving they made on the policy when claiming for damage.
If I had a chip that was within my line of sight, I would immediately look into getting it repaired. The cost of a repair is usually minimal, and it prevents a potentially larger, more expensive issue down the line, which is a sensible way to manage risk.
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For those looking to monitor their vehicle’s condition or potentially capture evidence in case of an incident, a dash cam can be a useful addition. The Garmin Dash Cam X110 offers 4K recording, a wide-angle lens, and GPS tracking, which could be helpful in documenting any damage or incidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical cost of adding windscreen cover to car insurance? ▾
Can windscreen cover also cover side and rear windows? ▾
What is the excess for windscreen repairs and replacements? ▾
Does windscreen cover pay for ADAS recalibration? ▾
Will a windscreen claim affect my no-claims bonus? ▾
Understanding your car insurance policy, especially regarding windscreen cover, is vital. It’s a relatively inexpensive add-on that can prevent significant unexpected costs. Always check your policy documents to ensure you have the coverage you need and understand any excesses that may apply.
If this was useful, you might also want to read Understanding No-Claim Discounts for Cheaper Car Insurance in the UK.
Sources and Further Reading
Car Windscreen Insurance Cover Explained — Compare UK Quotes, 2024.
Windscreen Cover: Car Insurance UK — CarOwl, 2024.
Windscreen Cover — MoneySuperMarket, 2024.
Is your car insurance really comprehensive? — Defaqto, 2024.
Warning issued as some insurers remove windscreen cover from policies to cut costs — Insurance Times, 2024.
Windscreen Cover — Aviva, 2024.
