Does car insurance cover windshield damage?

Modern car windshields are made of very resilient material - either tempered glass that is heated and cooled multiple times to make it stronger (as with steel), or laminated glass that has a thin layer of plastic (polyvinyl butyral) sandwiched between two layers of glass.

Your car’s windshield can withstand a high degree of pressure as well as varying temperatures. It is designed to shatter into tiny pieces rather than break into big piercing shards like regular glass so that in the event of a mishap, chances of injury are minimised.

However, there are many other ways in which your windshield can get damaged. Such as falling branches or coconuts, stones thrown up from the road, acts of vandalism, animal/bird hits, acts of nature such as earthquakes or hailstorms, or even unintentional damage caused by children at play.

Does car insurance have windshield damage cover?

Even though car insurance is mandatory in India, not all insurance plans have windshield damage cover. A basic third-party car insurance cover will not cover non-collision claims arising out of the instances mentioned above. However, a comprehensive car insurance plan will cover you for all types of damage to your car.

Some insurance companies may even offer a specialised windshield damage cover that protects you financially against all types of damage. The next question that arises is: does car insurance cover glass damage? A comprehensive plan covers not only the windshield but also all other windows and glass fittings.

Is windshield crack covered by insurance?

Even if it doesn’t give way, tiny cracks in the windshield may make it difficult to get a clear view of the road ahead. This could jeopardise your safety, not to mention destroy the aesthetics of the car. Minor damage may not warrant a complete change, but that assessment has to be made by a specialised technician. Always take your car to an authorised service centre where the staff is trained as per international safety standards and uses genuine products keeping in mind the customer's safety.

If you have a comprehensive insurance plan, your repair costs may be covered. Depending on the terms of your insurance policy, you may also be able to take advantage of cashless service from a partner garage. This means you won’t have to pay anything out of your pocket.

How to file a claim for windshield damage?

Windshields for sedans and SUVs don't come cheap. They can cost anywhere between Rs 8000 and Rs 15,000, not counting labour charges. The cost will be much higher for luxury vehicles.

With a comprehensive insurance cover, you can file a claim for windshield repair or replacement with your insurance company. Most insurance companies have an expeditious online process available through the website, which allows you to file a claim in minutes.

Alternatively, you may also be able to file a claim via a text message (to a specified number), or via email. If the damage is due to an act of vandalism, you should ideally call your closest police station first, obtain an FIR, and then proceed to file a claim with your insurer.

Next, you need to check for the closest authorised garage (preferably one that is part of your insurer’s network) for a cashless claim. Trained mechanics will assess the damage and suggest a course of action. On your approval, the repair or replacement will be carried out, and the cost will be borne by the insurer.

If you don’t get the repairs done at a partner garage, you will have to pay for the repair out of your pocket, submit the bills to the insurance company, and make a reimbursement claim.

Read the fine print

It is recommended that you go through your policy document to familiarise yourself with all the events covered under the insurance plan so that you don’t wonder “Does insurance cover windshield damage?”. A comprehensive plan such as the Auto Secure - Private Car Package Policy from Tata AIG covers all types of damage to your windshield. Not just that; if the windshield requires a minor repair, you can claim the insurance benefit at an authorised service centre without impacting your no-claim bonus.

No doubts, no drama! Make sure you #ThinkAhead and get comprehensive car insurance to cover you in all situations.