Picture this — you’re driving behind another vehicle on a country road. All is going well until you hear a loud “ding”. You quickly realize that the vehicle in front of you has accidentally kicked up a small rock that has cracked your windshield.

Has something like this happened to you or someone you know? If so, you’re likely asking yourself, “does insurance cover cracked windshield repairs?”.

This is an interesting question, as the answer depends on a handful of different factors.

Continue reading to learn the ins and outs of cracked windshield insurance coverage in Canada.

Is a cracked windshield covered by insurance in Canada?

Yes, windshield cracks, chips and replacements can be covered by car insurance in Canada. That being said, windshield damage isn’t always covered.

Not all car insurance policies cover windshield damage. In most cases, drivers need to have a specific type of coverage referred to as windshield insurance.

What is windshield insurance and how does it work?

Windshield insurance is an optional form of coverage that is generally included in comprehensive car insurance. Windshield insurance financially protects drivers if their windshield is damaged by an unexpected item or projectile.

Some examples include:

• Rocks
• Gravel 
• Debris
• Litter

If you currently have comprehensive car insurance, then you may already have windshield coverage. Most comprehensive car insurance plans feature this unique add-on. Speak with your Surex insurance advisor to learn more.

Do you have to pay a deductible when you make a windshield insurance claim?

If you’re planning on making a cracked windshield insurance claim, you may not have to pay your deductible.

As a reminder, your insurance deductible is the amount that you have to pay your carrier before receiving a payout.

Here’s a basic guide on how windshield insurance deductibles work:

When you don’t have to pay a deductible — Policyholders (in select locations, like Ontario) do not have to pay a deductible if their windshield is cracked or chipped. You can simply bring your vehicle to a nearby windshield replacement service, and they will forward the bill to your carrier. A windshield chip does not count as a claim.

When you do have to pay a deductible — Policyholders do need to pay a deductible if their windshield needs to be replaced entirely.

Why do car insurance companies let policyholders skip out on their deductible? Simply put, it incentivizes policyholders to fix the damage quickly, which helps them prevent more severe (and costly) issues from occurring down the line.

With this in mind, you can see that allowing policyholders to forgo their deductible is a win-win situation. This is something that drivers should take into consideration the next time they need to make an insurance claim for a damaged windshield.

*Some insurance carriers do not offer this incentive in areas with above-average rates of windshield damage. Please review with your Surex insurance advisor.*

What happens if you damage your windshield in an accident?

If your windshield is compromised during a collision, your car insurance carrier will likely cover the expenses if you have collision coverage or all-perils coverage (a hybrid product featuring aspects of both collision and comprehensive coverage).

Does making a windshield claim affect your car insurance rates?

In most cases, submitting a windshield claim will influence your car insurance rates, but only by a small amount. 

That being said, if you make multiple windshield claims in a short period of time, you’ll likely see a more substantial increase in your rates.

Bonus — Click here for a list of car insurance claim do’s and don’ts.

Is windshield insurance worth it for all drivers?

The answer to this question depends on a handful of factors. Ask yourself the following questions before making a final decision:

• Do you drive on country roads regularly?
• How busy are the streets that you drive on?
• Does windshield coverage work with your budget?
• How expensive is your windshield?

All in all, if you drive a high-end vehicle with an expensive windshield or commute on country roads often, having windshield coverage is generally worth it, as it provides you with peace of mind. 

That being said, if you rarely drive in rural areas or own an old vehicle, it may not make financial sense to add windshield coverage to your policy. Although windshield insurance is extremely beneficial, it does come at a cost.

How much does it cost to repair or replace a windshield if you don’t have windshield insurance?

The cost to repair or replace a windshield will depend on the severity of the damage and the type of car that sustained the damage.

Fixing a small crack on a regular windshield can cost as little as $50, while repairing a large crack (between one and two feet) can cost upwards of $70.

On the other hand, replacing a windshield can be more costly. On average, drivers can pay anywhere from $190 to $400 to replace a windshield. The cost can be even greater if you own a luxury vehicle with a high-end windshield. For instance, replacing a Subaru windshield (that features an EyeSight safety system) can total out to $1,400!

 If they don’t have coverage, they need to pay for the replacement out of pocket. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why some drivers see windshield coverage as a must-have add-on.

Save on car insurance in Canada by shopping around with Surex

Are you currently re-shopping your car insurance policy? We can’t blame you.

With rates on the rise, countless drivers are starting to shop their policies around with various providers.

If you’re searching for insurance cracked windshield coverage should be on your list of potential car insurance add-ons. Don’t hesitate to contact a Surex insurance advisor if you need help finding or comparing car insurance quotes today!

Our team of experienced advisors is always happy to help you find and compare high-quality quotes from a variety of Canada’s top car insurance providers. Having access to a variety of quotes makes it easy to find a policy that works with your needs and your budget!

Speak with a Surex insurance advisor today to receive up to ten quotes in ten minutes or less (the number of quotes varies from province to province).

Don’t forget to ask your advisor how we can help you save up to 25% when you bundle your policies with one of our partners!