The windshield is an important element of your vehicle: it fits into its structure, as much as the roof and doors. The windshield prevents the roof from caving if you roll over, allows the airbags to deploy in the right direction to protect the passengers and stops you from being thrown out of your car if a serious crash occurs. A tiny chip in your windshield can seem meaningless but think again. The question you have to ask yourself is whether to fix it or replace it.
Your windshield that needs to repaired because of a star break or a chip is covered by your insurance company — without you having to pay a single penny — if you are protected by Chapter B3 (Comprehensive coverage), commonly referred to as “fire, theft, vandalism”. On top of being of no charge to you, this repair has no impact on your insurance record.
All you need to do is go to a shop specializing in auto glass repair or a car dealer. An on-site specialist will take the time to do fix your windshield, which should take about half an hour. Resin is injected into the damaged area and is cured using a UV light. This prevents the chip from cracking when, for example, the car sustains pressure when it is driven or the temperature varies.
If your windshield chip becomes a crack, this becomes a vehicle safety issue. The entire windshield must then be replaced.
The insurance company is responsible for the replacement cost but the insured must pay the amount of the deductible stated in his contract. The most common deductibles for the “B3” coverage is $100, $250 or $500. The insured chooses his deductible amount when purchasing insurance.
Here are different scenarios using a four-door 2010 Honda Civic to give you an idea of windshield replacement cost price points. For this type of vehicle, replacing the windshield could cost about $500, including parts and labour. The insurer pays $500 minus the deductible amount specified in the policy. If the deductible is $500, the insurer would not pay anything. However, if the deductible is $250, the insurer would pay half of the total cost, leaving you with a $250 deductible.
The $100 deductible is therefore attractive because, in this scenario, the insurer pays the difference of $400 for only a few dollars difference on the premium. Sometimes, that difference is only about $10. If you’re wondering about your claims record, don’t worry. With Lareau, a windshield replacement will not generally impact your premium the following year provided you haven’t filed any other claims.
But if there are a number of claims in your file… You may be wondering if it is worth filing another claim for your windshield. Seek advice from your Lareau broker. A single windshield replacement will not increase your premium but if it becomes a habit, an increase is inevitable.
Please keep this in mind!
