Will Auto Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?

Auto insurance in Ontario may cover a wide variety of different things, from your liability if you are held responsible for damages to someone else or for injuries in an accident, to medical expenses, funeral costs, and more. When it comes down to more specific matters, such as particular damages or perils, then it gets a little more confusing.

Before you can even renew your vehicle registration, put on license plates, or purchase a temporary trip permit, you must obtain auto insurance in Ontario. However, it’s a common mistake to assume that your auto insurance would automatically cover everything that could damage it.

Will mandatory insurance cover windshield replacement?

Bottom line, probably not. Your mandatory insurance in Ontario includes coverage for third-party liability insurance, accident benefits coverage, uninsured/underinsured automobile coverage, and direct compensation-property damage. Of all these coverages, a chipped windshield needing replacement may not be covered, unless the damaged windshield was as a result of a collision where another driver was at-fault. In this instance, your windshield replacement could technically be covered by your direct-compensation property damage or, if the driver was unidentified or under/uninsured, your underinsured motorist coverage.

However, if your windshield was damaged because of a collision where you were partially or entirely at-fault, or due to a non-collision related event, it may not be covered by your mandatory auto insurance.

Will optional insurance cover windshield replacement?

It can, yes. Comprehensive coverage may be able to cover the cost of a windshield replacement, but note that comprehensive coverage is subject to a deductible. If your deductible is more than $1,000, then it might not be worth filing a claim, since the average windshield replacement job can cost less than that or roughly around it. Fixing a crack or chip may even be less worth doing, and it could be better just to pay for the cost of the repairs out of your own pocket.

It’s important to know what to do when your windshield cracks, regardless of whether or not you have coverage. Call your insurance provider to discuss or, if the issue is minor, get in touch with your nearest autobody repair shop and discuss having the crack fixed.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage may cover any damages to your vehicle due to non-collision events such as hail, storm, theft, vandalism, and more. This means your comprehensive coverage may cover a chipped or damaged windshield. In some instances, the deductible may only apply if the entire windshield needs replacement and not for a few minor repairs, but, as mentioned above, if the deductible applies for an entire windshield replacement and you have a higher deductible, it might not be worth filing a claim.

Scenarios vary. If you are unsure of what to do when your windshield needs replacement or if your insurance would cover windshield replacement, call your broker.

Warranties

Warranties may not generally cover windshields or cracks. There’s a chance you could purchase a separate plan or warranty for covering windshield cracks and faults, but your standard warranty typically won’t include coverage for a cracked windshield/windshield replacement.

Is it legal to drive a motor vehicle with a cracked windshield?

While the law in Ontario is somewhat vague about what extent of a cracked windshield may merit a repair or replacement job, section 74(1) of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act states that “No person shall drive a motor vehicle upon a highway (a) unless the windshield and windows on either side of the compartment containing the steering wheel are in such a condition as to afford the driver a clear view to the front and side of the motor vehicle.”

The phrase “clear view” is where it tends to get blurry – no pun intended. Because what defines as cracked, anyway? Most of us have had a cracked phone case at one point in our lives, but at what point does a blemish become illegal? In Quebec and Alberta, any seam or crack larger than 12 millimetres can land you a ticket. Most Ontario police say that a chip needs to be large enough to grab an officer’s attention to constitute as illegal.

Not only is having an obstructed view illegal, but a cracked windshield is unsafe. Windshields are important features of your vehicle and are designed to withstand impact and transfer impact to other parts of your vehicle, sparing you from serious injury. A tiny weakness in your windshield may result in greater issues for your vehicle, as well as for you and your passengers. Bottom line? If your windshield looks beat up, it might be time to book a repair job or replacement – or to file a claim, if you have comprehensive coverage (or a windshield repair endorsement.)

Give Excalibur a call for more information or to ask us about any other auto insurance products we provide, such as high-risk auto, classic car, or young driver’s insurance. Start with a free quote by clicking below.