Even though you may enjoy driving, managing your vehicle insurance can be a real nuisance. Although nearly all states in the United States mandate some minimal amount of auto insurance coverage, it’s undoubtedly not a cost that anyone enjoys incurring. But there are so many different insurance options; how can you tell which ones you require? Do you specifically require additional protection for your car’s windshield and other windows?
However, before we discuss specific sorts of auto insurance, let’s first discuss standard protection. Liability insurance is the simplest type of auto insurance. Most states require this (the minimum amount varies). It covers any harm you may cause to another person or their property while operating a motor vehicle. Collision coverage is the next level up; it will cover damage to your car in the event of an accident. Then there is thorough coverage. If there was no collision, this will cover any damage to your car. A flood did it sweep your car away? stolen from someone? For this purpose, broad coverage is used.
Which insurance coverage is the best if you’re concerned about a broken windshield? There are also other types of insurance coverage that cover uninsured drivers, payment for medical bills, and reimbursement for a rental car. We’ll go over that afterwards.
Full glass coverage: what is it?
Windshield and other glass damage is not covered if you only have liability insurance. Most likely, your collision insurance does not cover cracks and chips either. Although this varies from insurance company to insurance company, generally speaking, glass coverage is not available unless you have comprehensive insurance. Windshield coverage is a common feature in comprehensive insurance plans, and in some jurisdictions it may even be required.
However, some comprehensive insurance policies do not cover glass damage, and you could want glass coverage without purchasing full comprehensive insurance. What is the remedy? Many insurance providers include a rider that covers glass damage only (sometimes it covers just the windshield, sometimes all the windows in the vehicle).
The $64,000 question is now: Is it a smart idea to pay for glass coverage? Several variables affect this. Of course, the first thing to consider is the price your insurer will charge you for a glass rider. Depending on the vehicle, this could cost anything from $100 to several hundred dollars. Then, consider your deductible. Before your insurance starts to pay for repairs, you must pay this sum out of pocket. Paying extra for glass coverage is unnecessary if you have a high deductible because it’s likely that the cost of repairing or replacing a cracked windshield won’t even cover the deductible. Finally, take into account the likelihood that your windows will sustain damage. Frequently using gravel roads is typically harmful for windows. If you frequently park on the street, a local game of street hockey or a car robber may damage your windows.
Remember that as long as the damage isn’t too severe, windshields can be fixed rather quickly these days. A bump on the road can turn a tiny chip into a massive crack, and the majority of chips and small cracks can be repaired for a fraction of the cost of replacement. With mobile windshield replacement trucks that will drive right up to your driveway and quickly change out a brand-new windshield, replacement is even simpler.
With all of these considerations in mind, purchasing glass coverage is typically not cost-effective.
Nota d’auteur
To be completely honest, I had never given glass covers much thought. Cracks and chips were never something you couldn’t deal with until you acquired a new car a few years later, unless they were so severe that you might not pass state inspection. They both occurred so infrequently that it seemed pointless to pay more to be insured against them. Even Nevertheless, it was intriguing to analyze the cost-benefit of glass coverage, only to discover that I had been mistaken the entire time.
