Windscreen excess cover in car insurance

What is windscreen cover on car insurance​?

Windscreen cover, also known as windscreen insurance or window glass cover, is usually offered as part of a comprehensive car insurance policy, as either a standard inclusion or an optional extra. It provides financial coverage in the event that your windscreen is damaged during an insured event as listed in your policy (e.g. storm and hail damage, accidental damage etc.).

How does windscreen cover work?

Generally you’ll have to pay an excess when making a claim for windscreen cover. The out-of-pocket costs associated with this excess, however, can often be cheaper compared to if you were to have no coverage and pay the full amount yourself. Some policies may also provide reduced excess windscreen cover, but this is usually reflected in a higher overall premium.

Some providers may offer car insurance with free windscreen replacement or repair, meaning you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs when you make a claim in relation to your windscreen. In turn, you will usually be charged a higher overall premium and/or you’ll be limited to only one windscreen replacement per year and for only the front or back windscreen.

Does car insurance cover windscreen replacement?

Yes, as mentioned above certain types of car insurance policies (generally comprehensive ones) cover complete windscreen replacement. It’s important to check the policy documents, such as the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), to see if a policy provides coverage as either a standard inclusion or optional extra, as well as what exclusions and limits apply.

Do other kinds of car insurance cover windscreen damage?

A Third Party Fire and Theft policy may also provide coverage for a damaged windscreen, however this may only apply if the damage was caused by fire or theft. You would have to go through the claims process and an excess will usually be charged.

Your windscreen may also be able to be fixed by a roadside assistance provider (if you have one). How you are charged for this kind of service will depend on your agreement with your roadside assistance provider, so it can be a wise idea to confirm this beforehand. Third Party Property Damage and Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance policies will typically not offer any coverage for your windscreen.

Does windscreen cover include the other glass in my car?

Whether the other glass components of your car are covered by a policy with windscreen insurance will ultimately depend on what’s included and excluded in the policy. This can be found by reading the PDS or contacting the provider directly. Generally, windscreen coverage only applies to the front and back windscreens and the side and rear windows.

Windscreen insurance will typically not cover:

• Side (wing) and rear-view mirrors

• Sunroofs

• Casings for headlights and indicators

• Infotainment and heads up display screens.

The above components may be covered by a comprehensive car insurance policy under general accidental damage and be subject to an excess, but this will depend on what’s included in the policy.

Why should I get car insurance with windscreen cover?

A car insurance policy with windscreen cover can provide you with peace of mind that you’ll be financially covered if your windscreen becomes damaged. This can be especially useful if you have a newer vehicle that has windscreen related technology such as Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS), which could prove costly to repair without insurance.

It can also be illegal to drive with a damaged windscreen in Australia (depending the size and extent of the damage), so having the ability to repair damage before it becomes a bigger issue may be worthwhile.

How much extra is windscreen insurance​?

Windscreen insurance as an optional extra on a comprehensive car insurance policy can cost around $100 extra per year. This figure was generated by comparing a range of car insurance providers using a set of standardised assumption details. How much extra it will cost you personally will depend on factors such as the car insurance provider you choose, your location, the make and model of your car and whether your car’s windscreen has any associated technology.

What if I don’t have windscreen and window glass cover?

If your windscreen becomes damaged during an insured event and you have a car insurance policy that covers accidental damage, you can generally make a claim for the damages. Bear in mind that you would need to pay the excess listed in your policy.

If you do not have an insurance policy that covers accidental damage to your windscreen (usually a comprehensive policy), you will have to organise and pay for the repairs yourself.

Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen?

In Australia, it’s illegal to drive with an impaired view. Whether the damage to your windscreen constitutes this will depend on the state or territory in which you live. For instance, in New South Wales, a bullseye crack on the driver’s side only needs to be 16 millimetres or more in diameter for your car to be deemed unroadworthy.

Windscreen cracks and chips can also spread with time and end up costing you more to repair. If your windscreen’s condition worsens, your car could become unroadworthy and/or you may need a complete windscreen replacement, which is much more costly compared to a simple fix.

What should I do if my windscreen is chipped, cracked or damaged?

Generally if your windscreen becomes damaged you should attend to it as soon as possible. Even small cracks or chips can grow in size over time and become more costly to fix.

If you have windscreen insurance or coverage included in your car insurance policy, you may like to lodge a claim. Your insurance provider will then typically organise a windscreen repairer within their network to help fix the issue.

How much is a windscreen repair?

Repairing a chip or crack on your windscreen could cost around $60 to $80 at the time of writing according to the trade jobs listing platform Airtasker. Some of the factors that can influence this cost are:

• Your location, such as which state or territory you reside in

• The make and model of your car

• The type and brand of glass being repaired

• Your windscreen’s warranty status and whether your repairer offers a warranty on their service

• The level of insurance coverage you have

• Parts and labour costs

• Whether your windscreen has technology like Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS).

Can I choose my own repairer with windscreen and window glass cover?

Traditionally no, as most insurance providers have their own network of service professionals who repair or replace car windscreens and windows. You may, however, be able to select the repairer from a list provided by your insurer.

Some insurance policies may allow you to choose your own repairer either as a standard inclusion or optional extra within the policy. This may be of interest for people whose vehicles have more specific repair needs, such as classic and vintage cars, vehicles imported from overseas or those who have undergone certain after-market car modifications. It can be a good idea to contact your provider to check whether you are able to choose who repairs your windscreen.

Does making a claim on windscreen cover affect your no-claim discount (NCD)?

When making a car insurance claim you will generally lose your no-claim discount/bonus (NCD), even if you have a reduced or no excess windscreen insurance option. That being said, some providers may let you keep your discount after making a claim specifically for damaged windscreens and/or windows.

You should contact your provider directly to clarify what claim circumstances will lead to you losing your NCD and whether claiming under windscreen cover would do so.

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