Will Insurance Cover Windshield Damage at a Seattle Auto Glass Shop?

You’re driving down the freeway, then a sharp breaking sound shatters the peace. You look at your cracked windshield and see unsightly, unnerving dollar signs, sensing how much it’s going to cost you. It doesn’t matter whether flying debris or a tree caused it. One thing is for certain: a cracked windshield is a repair expense you can’t avoid.

You’re also concerned because you’re not sure if your current policy will cover auto glass services at a local Seattle auto glass shop like Bullseye Auto Glass. To help you determine if your insurance does cover auto glass, About.com writer and car insurance expert Emily Delbridge outlines a logical first step:

The first step to finding out if your insurance company will replace your glass, is to find out if your car insurance policy covers windshields. The type of damage to your glass is what determines whether the glass needs repaired or replaced all together.

In most cases, damaged windshields and windows are considered comprehensive claims; fully available only if you’ve previously applied for a comprehensive policy. With such a policy, the cause of the damage itself won’t affect coverage—any type of glass damage would have been covered as your auto glass expert will tell you when you bring your car to the nearby Seattle auto glass repair shop for service.

Comprehensive insurance has its perks, but other drivers consider it unnecessary to an extent. Most people think that auto glass damage is mostly caused by collisions, and it is with such a clause that motorists should look into, instead. In reality, a car’s windshield and windows are just as vulnerable to damage from falling objects, fire, natural disasters, vandalism, and even sudden breaks from hitting an unwary animal crossing the road. This makes comprehensive coverage necessary, after all.

Still, not all comprehensive policies work the same way—at times, they wouldn’t even cover auto glass damage. Fortunately, a special type of policy called “full glass coverage” exists. Offered by several insurance companies, the full auto glass policy specifically covers glass damage (sometimes only for the windshield, but at times also encompasses all windows as well).

Both policies are quite affordable (full glass coverage ranges from $100 to several hundred dollars), but the price tags for both vary depending on the vehicle and the motorist’s driving record. Still, it could be worth it to ensure your car’s windshield and windows as repairs for both may cost you a fortune depending on the damage. There’s no real ceiling for auto glass servicing costs, so it is better to be safe (and covered) than sorry.

(Sources: Will my Insurance Replace my Windshield? About.com)