There's nothing like driving behind sand and salt trucks all winter to give us a fine appreciation for the value of our windshield-and the benefits of having it in one piece. If it develops a crack, you really need to get it fixed as soon as possible. The question is, if you go shopping for auto insurance quotes and buy a policy AFTER the windshield cracks, will they still cover the repairs?
The 411 on Windshield Cracks
Before we break down the basics of insurance policy (you're really going to hate this) let's talk about why it matters. How much do you know about windshield cracks? More importantly, how much do you know about what your auto insurance company has to say about windshield cracks?
Little dings, cracks and scratches in your windshield are easy to come by. One rock comes flying out of nowhere, and you've got a crack in your windshield somewhere between the size of an ant and a full grown iguana. Once that crack is there, there's the very real possibility that a second strike will shatter your windshield. Cold weather, like the kind you find in the middle of winter (hint, hint) only makes things worse. Frigid temperatures cause the windshield of your car to develop a slightly concave shape, making that tiny crack 60-80% more likely to spread.
At that point, your windshield is terminal. It's only a matter of time.
Auto insurance companies would much rather repair cracks and dings than replace a windshield, and some will even offer glass repair with no deductible (or a minimal deductible) to encourage their customers to get the crack repaired ASAP. When you're looking for auto insurance quotes, either on the phone or on the web, be sure to ask the representative what their policy is on windshield rehabilitation.
So They'll Cover My Repairs?
Ehhhh...maybe. You might find an insurance company willing to do it. It's a good thing to mention when you're shopping for auto insurance quotes. Unfortunately, many insurance companies have a pre-existing condition clause. If the crack was there before the coverage started, it's not their problem.
Before you decide to just wait until your windshield shatters and get them to pay for it then, consider this. If your insurance company finds out you had a crack in the windshield, and the windshield shattered after the fact, unless you had a crane dropped on top of your car they may decide to just deny your claim and call it a day.
Windshield chips and cracks can usually be patched for under $90. You're going to pay hundreds to replace the whole thing. In this case, your best bet is to keep hunting for auto insurance quotes and pay the repairs out of pocket.
