Does Claiming for Windscreen Damage Affect Insurance Premiums?

A crack, chip or any other damage on your windscreen can be a huge inconvenience. Not only does it impair visibility, but it could also mean an instant MOT failure. And the worst part of all, it could affect your insurance premium if you decide to make a claim. Or could it?

In this guide, we’re taking a look at the issue of windscreen damage and insurance claims, debunking some of the mistruths and assumptions about how it will affect your premium. We’ve answered some of the key questions related to claiming for windscreen damage on your car insurance, so you can decide on the best course of action.

Use the links below to navigate or read on for the complete guide.

• Does Claiming for Windscreen Damage Affect Car Insurance?
• Does a Windscreen Damage Claim Affect No Claims Bonus?
• Is Windscreen Cover Worth It?
• How Much is a Windscreen Repair?
• How Much is a Windscreen Replacement?
• Can You Repair a Chipped or Cracked Windscreen Yourself?

Does Claiming for Windscreen Damage Affect Car Insurance?

“Should I, or shouldn’t I?” It’s a question many motorists face when deciding whether to claim for windscreen damage on their car insurance. After all, some claims can result in an elevated renewal premium, so it’s always worth pausing to think.

The good news is most insurers won’t increase your premium if you claim for windscreen damage. So, whether you’ve had a crack or chip professionally repaired or had the entire windscreen replaced, you should be safe to claim the amount back from your car insurer.

That said, there are exceptions to this, so it’s critical that you read the small print of your insurance policy before starting a new claim. We can’t stress the “before” part of this enough, as any mention of the windscreen damage to your insurer could affect future premiums.

It’s worth remembering too, that it could be cheaper and faster to arrange the payment and repair of the windscreen yourself – particularly if your current excess is higher than the anticipated cost of repair anyway. For example, repairing a chip may cost as little as £50, while your car insurance voluntary excess may be set at £100, so it’ll actually cost more to claim since you’ll be liable to pay the full excess amount.

If you need to fully replace the windscreen or repair a sizeable crack, making a claim can be more cost-effective. Think carefully before calling your insurer and always read the T&Cs in your policy before you start.

Does a Windscreen Damage Claim Affect No Claims Bonus?

It might if you don’t have windscreen cover as part of your car insurance policy.

Insurance companies understand that there are uncertainties about windscreen damage, and so upsell specific windscreen cover as an optional bolt-on. If you don’t pay extra for this alongside standard cover, you might find in your policy wording that claiming for windscreen damage could affect your no claims bonus.

It might sound cheeky, but this is fairly standard practice across big-name car insurers. They know that many customers want to protect their NCB at all costs, so offer all kinds of policy add-ons as a way to guarantee this.

With this in mind, it’s worth reiterating the need to read the full T&Cs of your policy before making a claim.

Is Windscreen Cover Worth It?

Like all insurance-related matters, this really comes down to your personal preference and how much you’re willing to pay to guarantee minimal nasty surprises in the future.

Windscreen cover offers a couple of key benefits. Firstly it brings a reduced excess amount for windscreen-related claims, making it cheaper to claim for more minor repairs. Secondly, and as mentioned above, it also protects your no claims bonus.

Two good benefits, but it will mean a higher overall insurance cost so you’ll have to decide for yourself whether it’s a worthwhile addition to your policy.

How Much is a Windscreen Repair?

The amount you can expect to pay for a windscreen repair in the UK varies depending on the extent of the damage, your vehicle, and the repair company you choose.

For a minor chip or crack that can be repaired using a special sealing resin, you’re looking at around £50 (plus VAT) for this type of basic repair. If it’s a larger crack that requires more specialist tools and equipment, the cost could run from £50 to £100+. If you’re quoted any more than £200 for a repair, it’s probably worth just having a new windscreen fitted instead.How Much is a Windscreen Replacement?

How Much is a Windscreen Replacement?

If your windscreen needs replacing, you can expect to pay £200 and up depending on the make and model of your car. For example, the windscreen of a Volkswagen UP! will be much cheaper than that of a Land Rover Discovery.

It’s possible to compare windscreen replacement prices online and receive free, no-obligation quotes from different repair centres. We’d definitely recommend this if you decide to pay for your replacement windscreen yourself.

Can You Repair a Chipped or Cracked Windscreen Yourself?

While we are advocates for DIY, we wouldn’t recommend it in this case. Repairing a windscreen requires specialist tools that aren’t readily available for DIYers, and you risk exacerbating the problem if you get it wrong.

It’s always best to have chips and cracks checked and repaired by a professional. They can assess the damage and let you know if the integrity of the windscreen has been compromised.

Have you found this guide useful? Head to the Prestone help and advice centre for more related guides, features and how-to articles.