Remember when getting your windshield replaced wasn’t really a big deal? You’d just pop over to the glass technician, pay $150, and you’re good to go — right?
Unfortunately, those days are pretty much over.
Today’s windshields can run you upwards of $1,200 each. Why?
As with many elements on newer cars, an increasing amount of technology is being built in. Technology on newer windshields includes:
- Sensors to detect when it’s raining
- Special antennas
- Warming coatings that limit frost and fog
- Associated cameras that help keep the vehicle straight on the road
- Super-tough coatings that make them (nearly) impenetrable
These windshields are certainly useful and helpful when they’re working. But if you break one? Look out for the bill.
Fortunately, your insurance should still take care of most glass damage, depending on your unique plan. Or, if, for some reason, someone else was at fault for the damage, their insurance may be able to cover your repair or replacement as well. This is generally under someone’s property damage liability insurance.
With this in mind, it’s important to either gather insurance information from the other driver at the scene of the accident or make your claim with your insurance agent as soon as possible.
Before we explain how to file a claim with your insurance company, however, let’s go over how you can avoid your windshield or vehicle glass breaking in the first place.
How Most Glass Breakage Happens
Far and away, windshields break the most on all type of vehicles. That’s because they are front and center as you’re driving down the road, and incidentally, most glass breakage happens when you’re on the road.
In fact, the primary cause of all windshield breakage is your windshield glass being hit by debris from the road. To avoid this, stay back from any cars that are in front of you, and pass slower cars as soon as you can — especially vehicles hauling small, hard bits of material like rocks or dirt.
You should also take care when there’s construction as there will be even more road debris to look out for, and you may have to drive on the shoulder of the road. If you have to drive on the shoulder (or any other back gravel road), always go slowly to limit the amount of dirt and rocks you stir up.
Of course, temperature-related stress and other unavoidable things can cause your windshield or windows to break as well. There is often nothing you can do about these factors, and unfortunately, they are quite common in Montello and other areas of Wisconsin where the weather tends to fluctuate drastically.
Steps to Filing a Claim
The claims process with most insurance companies is not complicated. Furthermore, in most cases, you shouldn’t expect your premiums to go up after making a glass claim.
To make your claim, you’ll first want to figure out if you have glass damage coverage. Typically, you’ll have either have the uniquely beneficial Full Glass Coverage, which usually doesn’t have a deductible. Or, alternatively, you’ll at least have Comprehensive Coverage with a Comprehensive Coverage Deductible.
Once your claim starts being processed, you will be contacted by your agent to discuss either the replacement or repair of your windshield. Both processes are fairly straightforward.
Repairing a windshield simply means that a technician will lightly clean out the depressed or cracked area, and a unique type of clear resin will be injected into the damage to smooth it out.
If you need a windshield replacement, a technician can do this within a matter of an hour or two as well.
In both cases, the technician can usually come right to your home to complete the job.
Do you have concerns about glass damage or questions about your auto coverage? Giuffre Insurance is always here to assist you. Give us a call or stop into office today to meet with one of our skilled and knowledgeable agents.
