Does Insurance Cover Cracked, Chipped And Broken Windshields In Canada? 

Nothing interrupts a peaceful drive like the dreaded sound of an object hitting your windshield. You might be lucky and have no damage or be on the hook for a repair bill. If you have a chip or crack, two common questions are “Does insurance cover a cracked windshield?” and “How much does it cost to fix or replace a windshield?”

The Cost of Windshield Repair

Suppose you have a chip or crack in your windshield. First, you must decide how to address it. Should you leave it or repair it? How much will it cost to fix it? Does insurance cover a cracked windshield? Leaving a chip or a crack in your windshield can cause problems down the road. A chip can become a crack. Once you have a crack in your windshield, the safety of your windshield could be compromised, which you don’t want. 

The cost of a windshield repair

The price to fix your windshield depends on the damage and how the repair is done. Repairing a chipped windshield costs about $65 for the first chip, with each additional chip repair adding to the cost. Small cracks of less than 8 inches can cost about $125, while larger cracks can cost $155 or more. If you use a mobile service, they may charge more to come to you to do the repair. 

Windshield replacement cost

A windshield replacement cost varies, but you can expect to shell out a fair bit, even for the least expensive repair. Windshields on older vehicles are usually cheaper to replace. A standard windshield replacement can cost $190-$400. The average cost is $360.

The windshields of many newer luxury models are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology to assist drivers. These technologies are often built into the windshield and include cameras, blind spot warnings and adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, these windshields are much more expensive and can cost $1000 or more to replace.

Does insurance cover my cracked windshield?

The answer is… maybe. The type of insurance you have will determine whether or not it covers your broken windshield. Keep reading to find out whether you have coverage with your insurance policy.

Types of Auto Insurance in Canada

Several types of auto insurance policies are available. You must have basic insurance, which won’t cover damage to your windshield in most cases. However, you can upgrade your policy so that your auto insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace your windshield. When shopping for auto insurance, you’ll want to compare car insurance coverage, prices and the terms of different companies to make sure you’re getting the best policy for your needs.

Basic

You need basic car insurance to drive on the road in Canada legally. This type of insurance can also be called a standard insurance policy. Basic insurance provides the following coverage:

• Third-party liability provides liability coverage if you injure or kill someone or damage their property. You must have a minimum of $200,000 liability with your car insurance in Ontario and all other provinces except Quebec, where the minimum liability insurance is $50,000.
• Statutory accident benefits provide supplementary coverage if you’re injured in an accident to cover additional medical care, a caregiver, attendance care, income replacement and non-earner benefits.
• Direct Compensation-Property Damage (DCPC) applies if your vehicle or the contents of your car are damaged by someone else. DCPC covers the loss of use of your vehicle and is paid directly to you.
• Uninsured automobile coverage covers you if you are injured or killed by a driver without insurance or if an unknown driver damages your vehicle.

Basic insurance might cover damage to your windshield if it’s caused by another driver, but in most circumstances, it doesn’t.

Collision

If you have a collision, you’d think your car has insurance coverage for damage, but this isn’t always true. You can add collision insurance to your policy, but it’s not required. Some drivers don’t because they feel collision insurance isn’t necessary due to the age or state of their vehicle. 

So, what does having collision insurance do for you? It covers your vehicle’s repair or replacement cost up to its cash value if you collide with another object, the ground or a vehicle.

If you have collision insurance, insurance will likely cover a cracked windshield if the crack results from a collision.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive car insurance is just that – comprehensive. It covers damage to your vehicle due to vandalism, fire, theft, attempted theft, flying objects, riots, civil disobedience and natural disasters.

So, comprehensive insurance usually covers a cracked windshield. It will pay up to the vehicle’s cash value to replace or repair any damages. This type of coverage can include repairing or replacing your windshield.

All Perils

All perils insurance covers all perils. It combines collision and comprehensive insurance with the added benefit of providing insurance if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by someone who lives with you or someone you hired to fix, service, or drive it.

All perils insurance does cover cracked windshields in almost all circumstances.

Specified Perils

Specified perils insurance will cover damage to your car as long as the cause of damage is listed in the policy. Specified perils insurance typically covers damage as a result of:

• Attempted theft or theft, civil disturbances, riots and explosions
• Damage from the forced landing of an aircraft or falling parts from an aircraft
• If you’re transporting your vehicle on land or water and it’s damaged due to collisions, derailment, sinking, burning, or the stranding of the transport method
• Fire
• Windstorms, hail, rising waters, earthquakes

Suppose you have specified perils insurance, and your windshield is cracked because of an event covered by the policy. In that case, your specified perils policy should cover repairing or replacing your windshield. 

Insurance covering the repair or replacement cost would be unlikely if the chip or crack results from an incident not covered by specified perils, such as gravel hitting your windshield.

How much does insurance cover for a cracked windshield?

Assuming your carrier covers your chipped or cracked windshield, you’ll want to know how much is covered before you take your vehicle in for repairs. 

Your insurance provider might cover the cost if the damage is a chip. As a result, you won’t have to make a claim that will affect your insurance or pay a deductible. Insurers do this because paying to repair a chip is much cheaper than paying the cost of a windshield replacement. 

The process of claiming compensation from your existing insurance policy for a full windshield replacement, which is typically more expensive, will be different compared to claiming for minor damages like chips or cracks. First, you’ll need to make a claim and pay a deductible to have insurance pay for your windshield replacement. Before you make a claim, you should calculate the cost to see if it’s worth it. By the time you pay your deductible and possibly have your premiums increase because of the claim, it could be cheaper to pay out of pocket for the windshield replacement.

Should I Repair or Replace my Cracked Windshield?

If your windshield has a chip or crack, you should repair or replace it. Having a chip or crack in your windshield can compromise its safety. You can also get a fine for driving with a damaged windshield.

The good news is that insurance will cover some or all of the cost of a repair or replacement. As a result, insurance coverage will reduce the amount you have to pay and restore your windshield, preventing further problems.