Windscreen Cover - An Important Benefit of Car Insurance
Why is a windscreen cover important?
Windscreens are (quite literally) on the front lines. Large glass panels that sit at the front and back of a vehicle - vital, precious, easily breakable. Cracked windscreen surfaces are among the most common accidents that occur with any vehicle.
The smallest stone caught at the wrong angle can easily cause damage that needs immediate attention. Windscreen cover, therefore, makes a lot of sense.
Let's take a look at the benefits of including windscreen protection in your car insurance policy, coverage options, and some long-standing myths.
What is Windscreen Cover in Car Insurance?
Windscreen cover is an insurance provision specifically designed to address damage to a vehicle's windscreen, which includes the front and rear windows and sometimes even the side glass.
Safety and structure
Windscreens help protect drivers against potential visual impairments and support the vehicle's structural integrity, which helps keep passengers safe.
Modern windscreens are constructed from laminated glass, which consists of two layers of glass bonded together with a PVB interlayer that prevents the glass from shattering into sharp fragments upon impact.
This design improves a vehicle's structural strength, prevents roof collapse in rollover accidents, and prevents ejection in high-impact collisions. In short, they're pretty important.
Common claim rate
Irish roads have come a long way in the last 50 years, but there will always be road debris that can easily cause significant damage to a windscreen. It's a common occurrence, which usually accounts for just over 25% of claims on the roads, and one that can be surprisingly costly if you don't have cover.
What are Your Coverage Options for Windscreen Damage?
Insurance policies offer varied levels of protection for windscreen damage, primarily categorised into comprehensive and third-party coverage. Many drivers wonder if the rear windscreen is covered by insurance, and the answer depends on your policy type.
Comprehensive policies typically cover both front and rear glass damage, while third-party policies may exclude this protection. For full terms and limits, see our windscreen cover page.
Comprehensive vs. Third-Party Coverage
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As the name suggests, comprehensive coverage offers broad protection, including windscreen damage, regardless of the fault party. It's the go-to option for those seeking peace of mind and extensive coverage.
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Third-party coverage is more limited, typically covering damages to other vehicles and property, with windscreen cover often optional or excluded. The choice between the two comes down to the driver's needs, vehicle value, and risk assessment.
Evaluating Policy Limits and Exclusions
Reading the fine print related to windscreen cover is important. Policy limits might cap the amount insurers are willing to pay, while exclusions could specify scenarios where windscreen damage won't be covered.
If you're asking, does insurance cover rear window replacement? The answer is yes under comprehensive policies, though specific terms and limits will apply.
123.ie cover limits
If you have comprehensive car insurance with 123.ie, across a single policy year, you can get an unlimited number of repairs done to the glass as long as the total cost of these repairs does not exceed the value of your car. As well as repairs, you are entitled to one complete replacement in any one insurance year, up to the value of €1,500.
What to Do When Your Windscreen Cracks
The first time it happens to you can be terrifying, but it's essential to stay calm and follow these steps:
- Pull over slowly and safely.
- Check the damage. If it's only a minor crack, you can almost certainly continue with minimal risk. Different types of damage include Bull's Eye chips (circular damage), Edge Cracks that start at the perimeter, and Stress Cracks caused by extreme temperature cycling or structural pressure.
- If the crack is in your line of sight, consider heading straight to a location where you can have it repaired.
- If the crack looks serious, call your insurer or a replacement service. Avoid DIY fixes that could limit visibility or weaken the glass.
- Remember, if you don't feel confident getting back behind the wheel with the cracked or chipped windscreen, don't do it.
Is it Illegal to Drive With a Cracked Windscreen?
It is not illegal to drive with a chipped or cracked windscreen as long as it doesn't affect your line of vision or is likely to produce fragments capable of causing severe cuts if fractured further.
Your vehicle may fail an NCT if damage is larger than 10 mm in the driver's direct line of sight (Zone A) or larger than 40 mm elsewhere on the windscreen. Driving with defective glass can lead to fines and penalty points under Irish road traffic regulations.
Line of vision rules
Common sense is important here. A small crack on the side of the windscreen is fine to continue with for a while, but a large crack across your vision that looks like it could bring everything crashing down any second is not.
What is the Windscreen Repair and Replacement Process Like?
Repairing or replacing a windscreen may seem like a mammoth job, but it happens all the time, meaning the process is typically quick and easy.
Start your claim
To start a claim, you'll need to contact your insurer, providing details of the damage and, often, submitting photographic evidence. Insurers typically have a streamlined process for windscreen claims, recognising the urgency of maintaining clear visibility for safe driving. Once you make the claim and the details are checked, the process moves quickly.
Use approved repairers
Insurers often partner with approved repairers to ensure quality and efficiency in service. Opting for these approved businesses guarantees workmanship and simplifies the claims process, with direct billing arrangements between the repairer and insurer.
Professional technicians also ensure proper ADAS calibration after windscreen replacement, as modern vehicles rely on cameras and sensors embedded in the glass for safety features. This calibration process ensures these systems function correctly and maintain insurance compliance.
123.ie works exclusively with Autoglass, so if something should happen to your windscreen, either:
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Give them a call on (01) 409 0900
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Make an online booking
Repair timelines
The timeline can vary based on the extent of damage and how busy the repairer is, but these jobs don't typically take long. Minor chips might be fixed within the hour, whereas full replacements could take longer - but usually inside a day at least.
How to Choose the Right Windscreen Coverage
When choosing to go with or without windscreen coverage, you need first to consider various factors, including vehicle type and individual needs.
Vehicle and ADAS needs
Comprehensive coverage might make sense for high-end vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) embedded in the windscreen due to the high cost of replacements.
Modern windscreens may also feature heated windscreens for defrosting, acoustic windscreens for noise reduction, and UV protection that shields occupants and prevents interior fading. Conversely, for older models, basic coverage might suffice.
Be mindful of your surroundings
While a cracked windscreen can happen anywhere, there will always be places where it occurs more often. Gravelly country roads are often places you need to be careful on, so windscreen coverage might be a good idea if you live in that area.
Maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding driving directly behind construction vehicles or trucks carrying loose materials can help prevent windscreen damage from road debris.
What are the Financial Benefits of Having Windscreen Cover?
Windscreen cover comes with significant financial benefits, mitigating out-of-pocket expenses and preserving insurance perks.
Save on repair costs
You'd be surprised how expensive repairing just a small crack in a windscreen can be. With a windscreen cover, the financial burden of repairs or replacements is substantially alleviated, allowing policyholders to address damages promptly without incurring hefty costs.
An intact windscreen also contributes to better aerodynamics, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency, which helps lower running costs over time.
Protect your no-claims bonus
Windscreen claims usually do not impact your no-claims bonus. For the small print and possible exceptions, see our guide on how making a claim may affect your policy. Most insurers see windscreen damage as an inevitable part of driving at some point or another, so don't penalise drivers when it happens.
However, it's always worth reading through the small print before signing a car insurance policy. Some providers may add a provision for a premium hike if a certain number of similar accidents occur in a short space of time. It will probably raise questions if you need five windscreen repairs in a few months.
Debunking Myths about Windscreen Coverage
There are several myths surrounding windscreen coverage that require some clarification.
Myth 1 - Premium increases
Wrong. As we previously mentioned, a single windscreen claim will almost certainly not lead to a hike in premiums, given its non-fault nature and frequent occurrence. If it starts happening regularly, your insurance provider may choose to increase your premiums. Check your policy documents for details.
Myth 2 - Replacement is always needed
No again. Not all windscreen damages require full replacement. Modern technologies, such as HPX4 resin, can reliably fix minor chips and cracks, preserving the original windscreen.
DIY repair kits often lack a structural guarantee and may leave visible imperfections or distortion. Professional repairs provide expert checks and ensure work meets insurer requirements for safety and cover.
Myth 3 - Third-party options exist
This final point is a mixed bag. While third-party policies are more limited, some do offer windscreen cover as an optional addition.
Windscreen cover options with 123.ie
Windscreen cracks happen all the time. Thanks to modern advancements, it's rare that they'll immediately shatter, but a small crack has a habit of slowly spreading.
Simple preventive measures like parking in shaded areas during hot weather and replacing worn wiper blades promptly can help reduce the risk of windscreen damage.
When barrelling along the motorway, the last thing you want is for that crack to move across your eyeline, so getting it fixed should always be a priority.
Car insurance companies, such as 123.ie, typically give you two clear options regarding windscreen cover.
What 123.ie covers
Our third-party coverage doesn't have windscreen, but our comprehensive coverage comes with our standard windscreen protection, which includes unlimited repairs, as long as they don't exceed the vehicle's value, and one complete replacement within a calendar year.
