Is a cracked or chipped windshield covered by your car insurance?
From flying rocks to a neighbourhood kid’s baseball - life happens. And so do cracks in your windshield. Let’s get down to all the nitty gritty details about replacing or repairing a windshield, cracked versus chipped windshields and whether or not your insurance even covers a cracked windshield. Something important worth noting is that in most Canadian provinces, you can get ticketed for driving with a damaged windshield. It’s quite literally your window to the world when you’re behind the wheel so it’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure your windshield is in good shape and you have an unobstructed view in front of you.
Should I repair or replace my windshield?
There isn’t a one size fits all answer to this question. It’s more on an individual case by case basis. A specialist will be able to survey the damage done and point you in the right direction to either replace your windshield or whether a patch up is all you need. Generally, though, if your windshield is just chipped, it should be reparable. Once it turns into a full-blown crack (or maybe it started as a crack), the more chance you may need to get it replaced.
How much does it cost to fix a windshield?
Similar to the above question, there isn’t a single price tag to fix all different chips or cracks.
Chipped windshields should be a little less expensive and easier to fix, but if you end up having to replace the whole windshield it’s a little more expensive. The good news, once you go into a garage or shop and speak to a specialist, they’ll be able to provide you with options and prices based specifically on the damage done to fix your windshield.
Where can I get my windshield assessed, repaired or replaced?
Alright, so a little damage has been done and now it’s time to fix it. But where do you go? You have options. If you’re a TD Insurance customer, you can visit one of our preferred shops or vendors or you can always go to the garage/shop of your choice to get the work done. Otherwise, a referral to a garage/shop that someone you know or someone in your area has used can be helpful too.
Is windshield damage covered by my insurance?
You should reach out to your insurer to verify your specific coverage. Like any claim, you should report the incident before you get any damages fixed. But usually, glass repair to your car falls under your comprehensive coverage, specified perils or all perils coverage of your policy. So, if your policy includes one of these types of coverage and the chip is smaller than the size of a loonie you should be able to get it repaired at one of our preferred vendors at no cost to you. If you get it repaired at a garage or shop of your choice, you just make a claim and will be reimbursed for the cost of the work done. Regardless of where you choose, there should be no need to pay your deductible. It’s also worth noting, a chipped windshield won’t affect your claims-free reward.
If it’s a larger crack and your windshield needs to be replaced, then your deductible will apply. Want to know more about deductibles? We’ve gone into detail about them so you can get a better understanding of what deductibles are and exactly how they work.
The moral of the story here is not to let a little pebble get in the way of your safety. Accidents happen, so it’s a good idea to fix your chipped or cracked windshield, move on and enjoy the unobstructed view of the road ahead.
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The content on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Coverages described herein may be subject to additional eligibility criteria, limitations and exclusions. In the event you make a claim, potential indemnification is also subject to the receivability of the claim and the type of coverage you bought.
In the case of conflict between the content on this page and your policy wordings, your policy wordings shall take precedence. Please speak to an Advisor or consult your policy wordings for further details.