Picture this: You’re heading back from the beach at Lake Michigan near your home in Manitowoc. Everyone from this area knows that once you get out to the lake, roads become smaller, and dirt roads, in particular, become more prevalent. As you drive through the woods, your car hits a rough patch on a gravel road, and several rocks kick up in front of you.
One of them puts a nice spider crack right in the middle of your windshield.
Fixing a Broken Windshield With the Help of Auto Insurance
This scenario is not uncommon in the Manitowoc area, and it can cause great annoyance among car owners. Making any auto insurance claim can be a hassle, so why wouldn’t a glass claim be any different?
In fact, glass claims are different. The following article will explain why.
Auto Insurance Almost Always Covers Glass Damage
A typical insurance policy may not cover some, more obscure types of vehicle damage. But almost every auto insurance policy with Comprehensive Coverage will take care of glass damage.
This is true after the factoring in the deductible. Also, many insurance companies in the state of Wisconsin offer “Full Glass Coverage.”
“Full Glass Coverage” is extremely beneficial. It generally covers a full windshield replacement (or repair, when possible) without a deductible. Sometimes, the deductible is only much lower.
Your insurance agency will usually try to repair your windshield first. With a small chip, for example, the area can be cleaned and injected with resin. A windshield expert will do this.
Sometimes, fixing a windshield is not an option. When this is the case, full replacement will be needed.
Did Someone Else Cause the Damage?
If another driver caused the damage to your glass, their insurance should cover the fix. The insurance that covers this type of damage is called property damage liability insurance. Make sure to get their insurance information at the scene of the accident.
Will My Premiums Go Up?
You will need to check with your policy to see whether your insurance premiums will go up after glass damage. Remember that all auto insurance policies are different. Furthermore, all agencies have different rules for glass damage.
With that said, most policies won’t force a premium increase after a claim for glass damage.
You also need to keep in mind that requesting coverage for broken or damaged windshields too often can raise a red flag. This may cause a premium increase even if that’s not usually the case.
How Much Will It Cost?
The cost of windshield repair or replacement can vary greatly, depending on several factors:
- Whether you own a foreign car (foreign car windshields tend to be more expensive)
- Whether your windshield requires embedded technology (such as rain sensors)
- The size and shape of your windshield
Tips for Keeping Glass Damage at Bay
Avoid glass damage on your vehicle with these key tips:
- Pass large trucks as soon as possible.
- Stay off the shoulder of the road.
- Stay off back roads as much as possible.
- Keep your vehicle under shelter during bad weather.
- Stay away from vehicles hauling dirt, gravel, or rocks.
- Don’t drive too fast.
Questions About Your Auto Insurance?
Understanding auto insurance can be confusing. What’s covered and what’s not? Will my premiums go up? What do I do after an accident?
The knowledgeable and friendly agents at Gutman Insurance want to help answer your questions.
Please feel free to stop by our office or give us a call today if you have questions or concerns related to your auto insurance policy or glass damage claims.
