Windscreen repair and replacement
Your windscreen is more important to your car than you may think. It provides up to 30% of your car’s structural strength, and also supports the airbag if it’s activated during an accident.
A crack in your windscreen might seem minor, but it can have a significant effect on your safety on the road. It’s important you repair your windscreen as soon as damage occurs, and always use a professional for any windscreen repairs.
Replacing or repairing your windscreen can be expensive. In this article, we break down windscreen cover and answer some commonly asked questions.
Do I replace or repair my windscreen?
If your windscreen is damaged, it can either be repaired or replaced. Repair may be the best option for small cracks, while bigger cracks or intrusive damage may need a full replacement.
According to vehicle glass specialists O’Brien, your windscreen will need replacing if:
- it has a chip bigger than a $1 coin
- there are cracks of 3cm or longer on the driver’s side of the windscreen
- there is other damage that obstructs the driver’s line of sight.
How much does a brand-new windscreen cost?
Canstar estimates that the cost to repair or replace your windscreen can be anywhere from $250 to more than $1000. The cost depends on a number of different factors, including the size and position of the damage, and the make, model and age of your vehicle.
Does insurance cover a cracked windscreen?
Well, that depends on the kind of insurance you have, and on any extras you may have added to your policy. Cover for a broken windscreen is included as part of some comprehensive car insurance policies, such as COTA Insurance Comprehensive Car Insurance*.
However, even if you have comprehensive car insurance, you may still need to pay an excess towards the cost of your windscreen repair or replacement. The excess you pay will depend on your policy and should be listed in your policy schedule. It’s important to note, the excess may even make up most of the cost of replacing your windscreen. Claiming for a windscreen repair or replacement may also count against your claims history.
How can I avoid paying out of pocket for windscreen claims?
To avoid paying out of pocket for a windscreen repair or replacement, you may be able to purchase optional excess-free windscreen replacement cover for an additional premium.
We offer optional Basic Excess Removal for Windscreen Claims cover. You can add this to a new or existing COTA Insurance Comprehensive Car Insurance* policy at an additional cost, provided the glass has no pre-existing damage. This optional cover can make windscreen repairs and replacements less expensive, as you can make an excess-free claim for up to two windscreen or window glass repairs and one windscreen or window glass replacement in each policy period.
With COTA Insurance, you can even process your claim directly through windscreen specialists O’Brien Glass, getting the damage fixed hassle free. Learn more about COTA Insurance Comprehensive Car Insurance. It’s important to note that car insurance is unlikely to cover a previously damaged windscreen.
If you have any questions regarding car insurance, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 1300 1300 50. As always, we’re here to help you.
Insurance and Membership Services Limited, ABN 59 057 159 743 AR Number 246235 trading as COTA Insurance arranges this insurance as agent for the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL No 234708. We do not provide any advice based on any consideration of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Before making a decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement . The relevant Target Market Determination is available by calling 1300 1300 50. If you purchase this insurance, we will receive a commission that is a percentage of the premium. Ask us for more details before we provide you with services.
