How Does Full Glass Coverage Work?
If you just have basic liability insurance, windshield and other glass damage isn’t covered. And chances are that cracks and chips are not covered by your collision insurance, either. This can vary from one insurance company to another, but for the most part, glass coverage doesn’t show up unless you have comprehensive insurance. Many comprehensive coverage plans include windshield coverage, and some states may even require it.
Comprehensive Coverage or Full Glass Coverage?
Glass damage is usually included in comprehensive coverage on an automobile policy and would be subject to the comprehensive coverage deductible. However, there are comprehensive plans that don’t include damage to glass, or you might want glass coverage without paying for full comprehensive insurance. So what do you do?
Full auto glass insurance coverage is an option you can add to your auto insurance policy and can be purchased for an additional premium. Depending on the state you live in, this can be included in your comprehensive coverage or is available for purchase as an add-on.
What is Full Glass Coverage?
Full glass coverage is an additional physical damage coverage which can be purchased on a personal or business auto insurance policy. Full glass coverage adds glass breakage as an additional named peril to the auto insurance policy. This means you have coverage in the event that a rock gets kicked up off the road it breaks your windshield, and in most cases there is NO deductible paid by you.
No Deductible
The advantage of full glass coverage is that it comes with no deductible.
Example
Let’s say your car gets broken into overnight and a window is smashed. Luckily nothing is stolen, but you’re still left with a broken window, and the estimate to repair is $600.
If you have comprehensive insurance but not auto glass coverage, you will have to pay your deductible before your auto insurance company picks up the rest of the tab. So if you have a $500 deductible, you’d have to pay $500. But if you have full glass coverage, your auto insurance company will cover the expense of repairing the window in full, with no out-of-pocket costs to you.
Weigh the Factors
Is paying for glass coverage a good idea? It depends on a few factors:
- How much your insurer is going to charge you for a glass rider. This will depend on the vehicle, but can range from $100 to several hundred dollars.
- Look at your deductible. This is the amount you pay for repairs out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. If you have a high deductible, chances are the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged windshield won’t even meet the deductible, so paying extra for glass coverage is not helpful.
- Consider how likely it is that your windows will be damaged. A lot of driving on gravel roads is usually bad for windows. Or, if you regularly park on the street, your windows might fall victim to a neighborhood street hockey game or a car-breaking thief.
Minor Repairs
Keep in mind that windshields can be repaired pretty easily these days as long as the damage isn’t too severe. Most chips and small cracks can be fixed for a fraction of the cost of replacement — and a bump in the road can turn a tiny chip into a huge crack. Replacement is even easier, too, with mobile windshield replacement trucks that will come right to your driveway and swap in a brand new windshield in no time.
Conclusion
Consider the factors mentioned above, and talk with your insurance agent to make the right decision for you.