You’re driving on the highway, cruising along when suddenly a feeling of dread creeps over you. You have just heard a loud pinging sound on your windshield. Was that a rock? Immediately you scan the front windshield to inspect the damage. Hopefully, that feeling of dread turns to relief once you pass a clear inspection, other times that feeling of dread is filled with anger and defeat when you see a chip, or worse, a cracked windshield.
Damage to your windshield can range from minor to major. While any amount of damage to your vehicle is never fun, it can be even more annoying if your insurance doesn’t cover the cost to repair.
Most people may not know the details of their auto insurance coverage or whether or not it would include coverage for a damaged windshield. Many people may assume that their car insurance policy will automatically cover any type of damage to their vehicle, but this may not be the case depending on the coverages you choose.
An Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance auto insurance policy can include these typical coverages:
Bodily Injury Liability ̶̶ This coverage can help pay for medical expenses and other damages that are within your policy limits if you were to cause an accident that injures another person.
Physical Damage Liability ̶̶ This coverage can help pay for damage done to property that is within a policy limit that arises from using your covered auto.
Medical Payments Coverage ̶̶ This coverage can cover certain medical expenses if you or a passenger were to be injured in a covered accident.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury ̶̶ This coverage can help cover medical costs that may be caused by an uninsured driver of another vehicle who is legally at fault.
Uninsured Motorists Property Damage ̶̶ This coverage can help pay for damages to your personal property and automobile if damaged a result of an accident caused by an uninsured driver
Collision Coverage ̶̶ This can help cover costs to repair or replace your auto in the event of a covered accident.
Other Than Collision Damage ̶̶ This can help cover costs to repair or replace your auto if it is damaged by something other than a collision.
If you want more protection on your policy, you can purchase additional coverages that Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance offers. The additional coverage options include:
Rental Reimbursement
Trip Interruption
Loan/Lease GAP
Comprehensive coverage is another name used for Other Than Collision Coverage. This type of coverage is important to know about because it can help pay for the cost of repairs to or the replacement of a vehicle if it’s stolen or damaged in an accident that is not a collision.
Examples of incidents that would be covered by comprehensive coverage include damage from vandalism, fire, hitting an animal or some falling objects.
For more information on what your auto insurance policy does and does not cover, contact your local agent today.
Does car insurance cover windshield replacement?
At Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, non-collision glass breakage is covered, after the applicable deductible, if the policy has comprehensive coverage. If damage to the windshield (i.e. rock chip) can be repaired rather than the windshield having to be replaced, the deductible is waived.
What to do if your car insurance doesn't cover a cracked windshield?
If your car insurance does not cover a cracked windshield, you will pay for the cost to repair out-of-pocket. If this is the case, you’ll want to call different auto glass shops and ask them for their cost estimate to find the best deal.
If you have been in an auto accident, then it may be time to file a claim. Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance’s claim process is quick and easy.
The second step it to make sure you have this helpful information handy when you do report that claim:
Policy number
Date, location and description of the accident
Year, make and model of vehicle(s) involved
Name(s) of everyone involved in the accident including witnesses
Once you have filed your claim, a claims representative will contact you to obtain additional information and conduct the rest of the investigation.
Additional FAQs:
Here are additional frequently asked questions regarding auto insurance. Don’t see your question below? Check out the FAQ page on our website or contact your local agent so that they can answer any question you may have.
Will filing a claim affect your insurance premium?
When you file a claim, it does not mean that your insurance premium will automatically rise. But your insurance company may re-evaluate your driving record and decide to raise your premium based on how much of a risk you are. You can talk with your agent for more information regarding why your insurance can change or read more about why your insurance premium can change.
How much does it cost to repair a windshield?
The average cost to replace a windshield can range from $100-$700. This average range does not include the cost of labor which can fluctuate based on where you get the repairs done. Luxury automobiles’ and collectible cars’ repair costs can be significantly more than the average because the parts are more expensive to replace.
Does Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance provide glass coverage?
Yes, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance does provide glass coverage if the policyholder has comprehensive coverage, after the applicable deductible. Remember that if the damage to the windshield can be repaired rather than the windshield having to be replaced, the deductible is waived.
If the glass broke due to a covered accident it may be covered if the insured has collision coverage, after the applicable deductible.
It’s important to understand what is and is not covered in your basic auto insurance policy. Knowing this can help you determine what additional coverages you may need for the additional protection you want.