✔ UK Insurance Resources ✔ Trusted UK Insurance Resource ✔ Free Insurance Guides

Windscreen Cover Explained UK

How windscreen cover works on car insurance, and how claims for chips and cracks are typically handled.

Quick Answer

Windscreen cover, often included with comprehensive car insurance or available as an optional extra, covers the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged windscreen, and sometimes other glass such as side or rear windows. Many policies apply a separate, often lower, excess for windscreen claims compared to standard claims, and windscreen claims often don't affect your no claims discount.

About ShopTera

Content published by ShopTera is reviewed regularly to help ensure accuracy, relevance and usefulness for UK insurance consumers.

Our insurance guides are written for educational purposes and are updated regularly to reflect UK insurance information and industry developments.

ShopTera provides educational insurance content for UK consumers. Our mission is to simplify insurance topics and help readers make informed decisions about car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, landlord insurance, business insurance, van insurance and pet insurance.

ShopTera aims to provide clear, unbiased educational information to help UK consumers better understand insurance products and policy options.

Table of Contents

What Windscreen Cover Includes

Windscreen cover typically pays for repair or replacement of a damaged windscreen, and depending on the policy, may extend to other glass on the vehicle, such as side windows, the rear window, or sunroof.

Repair vs Replacement

For smaller chips, insurers often prefer repair over full replacement, as it's quicker, cheaper, and can often be done without removing the vehicle from use for long. Larger cracks or damage in the driver's line of sight typically require full replacement.

Windscreen Excess

Many policies apply a specific, often lower, excess for windscreen claims compared to standard claims, recognising that windscreen damage is common and insurers want to encourage prompt repair rather than driving with damaged glass.

Expert Tip: Check your specific windscreen excess amount, as it can vary from your standard policy excess, and knowing this in advance helps you decide whether to claim or pay for minor repairs yourself.

Does a Windscreen Claim Affect No Claims Discount?

Many insurers don't count windscreen-only claims against your no claims discount, treating them separately from other types of claim, though this varies by insurer, so check your specific policy terms.

Is Windscreen Cover Worth Adding?

Warning: If windscreen cover isn't included as standard, weigh the cost of adding it against typical repair or replacement costs and your own risk tolerance, particularly if you drive frequently on roads where stone chips are common.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windscreen Cover Explained UK

Is windscreen cover included in comprehensive car insurance?

Often yes, though this varies by insurer, some include it as standard while others offer it as an optional extra.

Does a windscreen claim affect my no claims discount?

Many insurers treat windscreen-only claims separately and don't count them against your no claims discount, but check your specific policy.

Is the windscreen excess different from my normal excess?

Often yes, many policies apply a specific, sometimes lower, excess for windscreen claims compared to standard claims.

Will insurers always replace a chipped windscreen?

Not necessarily, smaller chips are often repaired rather than replaced, as it's typically quicker and cheaper, while larger cracks usually require replacement.

Does windscreen cover include other glass on the car?

This depends on your policy, some extend cover to side or rear windows and sunroofs, while others cover only the windscreen.

Conclusion

Windscreen cover addresses one of the most common types of car insurance claim, often with a separate excess and no impact on your no claims discount. Understanding your specific policy's windscreen terms helps you decide quickly whether to claim or pay for minor repairs yourself.

Explore More UK Insurance Guides

Discover insurance resources covering car insurance, home insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, landlord insurance, pet insurance, business insurance and van insurance.

Browse Insurance Guides