Car windscreen replacement cost and repair

You’re no doubt aware of the benefits a windscreen can provide in acting as a front window for your car and protecting you from the wind, rain and flying insects. But did you know that your car’s windscreen plays a vital role in the overall safety of your vehicle?

According to the Auto Glass Association (AGA), an independent industry body in Australia, your windscreen provides up to 30% of your car’s structural strength, supporting your car’s roof and even holding airbags in the correct position when they’re deployed.

Interestingly, car servicing comparison site AutoGuru says the windscreen is made of two sheets of glass with a clear plastic layer in between. The layers are fused through lamination so that the glass pieces hold together when cracked or chipped, rather than falling in sharp pieces, which could injure the driver or passengers.

In this article we outline windscreen replacement costs, how to know when the damage could potentially be repaired—or if a full replacement is needed—and whether the costs involved could be covered under your car insurance.

How much does it cost to replace a windscreen?

If you don’t have windscreen replacement insurance, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to more than $1,000 to replace your windscreen in Australia, according to AutoGuru. These costs can vary depending on your car’s make and model, as well as who you choose to replace it. For repairing a windscreen, Airtasker, a trade jobs listing platform, suggests that repairing a chip or crack could cost around $60 to $80.

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When should you repair or replace a damaged windscreen?

It can be tempting to put repairing your car’s windscreen on the backburner, but there are good reasons to fix any windscreen damage—whether it be a small chip or a large crack—as soon as possible.

Fixing your windscreen helps to maintain the integrity of the glass and to keep your view of the road from being obstructed. Cracks also have a tendency to spread and multiply over time, which could end up costing more to repair: this is another reason it’s generally a good idea to get the damage attended to immediately.

There are different laws in each Australian state and territory around how much windscreen damage you can legally drive with. In general though, it’s illegal to drive with an impaired view.

In New South Wales for instance, a bullseye crack on the driver’s side only needs to be more than 16 millimetres in diameter and your car can fail a Safety Check and be unroadworthy.

Where can you get your windscreen replaced?

According to the AGA, the repair or replacement of your windscreen should be completed by a trained professional to ensure the work provided and the glass installed complies with Australian safety standards for windscreens.

Windscreen replacement services are usually offered by glass repair companies, auto service shops or chains, motoring clubs or qualified mechanics.

Some of these services offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs, which means that if your windscreen breaks again in the same spot, and this is not due to your negligence, you may be able to get it replaced again for free.

Do you need a repair or a full replacement?

Not all damage to your windscreen will necessarily require a full replacement. Some small chips or scratches may be able to be fixed through some simple repair work.

Vehicle glass specialist O’Brien says that it may be possible to repair a chip if it’s located at least five centimetres from the edge of the windscreen, and is smaller than a five cent coin if facing the driver, or smaller than a one dollar coin if it’s in front of the passenger.

If you’re unsure, it could be a good idea to ask a professional before deciding what work is required.

AutoGuru lists the following signs that could indicate you need a full windscreen replacement:

• A crack longer than 75mm on the driver’s side, extending to the edge of the windscreen

• One or more cracks 30mm or longer on the driver’s side of the windscreen

• A bruise or star (shape of the chip in the glass) more than 16mm in diameter

• Any other damage that impedes the driver’s vision (such as a sandblasted windscreen).

Does car insurance cover windscreen replacement cost?

If you have comprehensive car insurance, the windscreen replacement cost will generally be covered under accidental damage, much like the other parts of your car, although it’s possible you may need to pay the excess on your policy to access this coverage. A comprehensive policy may also cover your windscreen if it is damaged by hail, but this will ultimately depend on your policy.

In some circumstances, the excess you pay may cost more than covering the full cost of the replacement yourself, so it can often be worth comparing the repair or replacement quotes you receive against the size of your excess to figure out which option is cheaper.

Claiming windscreen damage on your insurance may also have an impact on any no claims bonus you may have, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions of your policy by contacting your car insurance provider, and/or by reading the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making a claim.

It can also be a good idea to read the Target Market Determination (TMD) before you take out a car insurance policy to ensure it’s suitable for your needs.

Optional extra: windscreen cover

Because of the potential claim implications, many car insurance providers offer reduced-excess or excess-free windscreen cover as an optional extra, which you can add-on to your policy for an additional premium.

Add-on windscreen cover may enable you to claim for a damaged windscreen for a lower excess or no excess, and may also let you keep your no claims bonus.

This cover can also come with limits, such as only being able to claim windscreen damage once a year, so you may want to check the PDS—or contact your insurance provider with any questions—before adding this cover to your policy.

It could also be worth assessing your risk of sustaining windscreen damage before deciding whether additional cover is needed.

For instance, if you travel frequently across gravel or dirt roads, then your risk of having a pebble or other projectile damaging your windscreen may be higher than if you only use your car in and around the city.

How do you make a claim for windscreen replacement?

If you decide to make a claim for windscreen damage, it’s important to report the damage to your provider immediately and to take photos, as well as measurements of the damage to use as evidence.

Once you have lodged your claim, your provider may allow you to choose your own repairer, or it may arrange repairs through one of its preferred suppliers.

If you choose your own repairer, once the work has been completed you will need to send the invoice, plus any other supporting documentation, to your insurance provider. Your provider will then assess the claim, and if approved, will either pay the supplier or refund the money directly back to you, minus any excess that may apply.

Consider your replacement and insurance options

Windscreen replacement and repair costs will vary, so it may be worth researching providers carefully and considering whether optional windscreen cover under your car insurance might be worth the additional premium.

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 Cover image source: industryviews/Shutterstock.com