Windscreen damage is frustrating, but the good news is that most comprehensive car insurance policies do provide cover for it. That might mean a simple chip repair or a full windscreen replacement, depending on the extent of the damage.
Even so, insurers don’t all offer the same level of cover. If you’ve been wondering, ‘Does car insurance cover windscreen damage?’, this guide explains exactly what your policy may include, what it might not, and how to navigate the claims process.
We’ll also explain what you might need to pay out of pocket, including costs for recalibration, and how Champion Autoglass makes it all straightforward.
How Most Policies Handle Windscreen Damage
If you hold a comprehensive car insurance policy, there’s a good chance your windscreen damage is covered. This typically includes repairs to stone chips and full replacements caused by accidental damage.
Some insurers include one windscreen claim per year with no excess, while others apply your standard excess unless you’ve opted for extra glass cover. It’s always worth checking your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or speaking directly with your insurer to confirm.
If you’re looking through your policy, try checking for sections titled Glass Cover, Windscreen Extension or Excess Waiver. Insurers often cover small repairs in full. Replacements usually come with an excess, unless you’ve upgraded your cover.
What’s Covered and What’s Not
To help answer the question of whether car insurance covers windscreen damage, here’s a general guide to how insurers typically treat different types of glass damage:
| Type of Damage | Usually Covered? | Excess Required? |
| Small stone chip repair | Yes | Often no excess |
| Crack across the windscreen | Yes | Usually yes |
| Full windscreen replacement | Yes | Often yes |
| ADAS recalibration | Varies | Depends on your policy |
| Side and rear windows | Often yes | Usually yes |
Some insurers will require you to use one of their preferred repairers, while others allow you to choose your own.
Most insurers include side and rear windows in the glass cover, although they often prioritise front windscreens. If your damage isn’t the result of an accident, for example, from a break-in, it’s worth checking if your policy categorises that under a different type of claim.
ADAS Recalibration and How it Fits into Your Coverage
For vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems, recalibration is often needed after a new windscreen is installed. This ensures features like lane-keeping assist, forward-collision warning and emergency braking still work as intended.
For example, when a technician doesn’t recalibrate your forward collision warning system properly, it might not detect cars ahead accurately and could put your safety at risk.
Not every insurance policy includes recalibration as part of windscreen cover. Some treat it as a separate cost. If you’re unsure, we can help clarify this with your insurer.
Champion Autoglass technicians handle both the replacement and in-house ADAS recalibration in a single visit, so you don’t need to coordinate with multiple providers.
Will Making a Claim Affect Your Premium?
In most cases, claiming windscreen damage under your policy won’t affect your no-claim bonus or future premiums. Insurers understand this type of damage is often unavoidable, and some even offer no-excess glass cover as a standard inclusion.
If you’ve made multiple claims recently, or if your policy is more restrictive, it’s worth speaking to your insurer first to confirm.
Paying an Excess For Windscreen Repairs or Replacements
Whether or not you’ll need to pay an excess depends on your insurer, the type of damage and the level of cover you selected.
Insurers often fully cover chip repairs with no excess, especially when you catch the damage early. Full replacements are more likely to attract an excess unless you’ve added windscreen protection to your policy. Your insurer may include ADAS recalibration in your cover, or they might list it as a separate cost.
We’ve guided hundreds of Perth drivers through their insurance policies and can quickly tell you what to expect based on your insurer and the type of damage.
Making an Insurance Claim with Champion Autoglass
Getting your windscreen repaired or replaced through your insurance doesn’t need to be difficult. Once your insurer approves the claim, we take care of the rest.
You’ll start by lodging a claim with your insurer. When you let them know you’re choosing Champion Autoglass as your repairer, we’ll work directly with them for billing and approvals. That means less paperwork for you and a quicker turnaround to get you safely back on the road.
Many insurers approve windscreen-only claims on the same day, especially when the issue is straightforward.
Our fully mobile team services the entire Perth metro area and usually completes jobs in about 90 minutes. Whether it’s a quick repair or a full replacement, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll Help You Make It Clear
So, does car insurance cover windscreen damage? Comprehensive insurance covers most Perth drivers, but each provider sets different terms and inclusions. This includes the type of cover you have, whether your policy pays for ADAS recalibration, and what excess or out-of-pocket costs you might face.
Get in touch with us if you’re unsure what your policy includes. We’ll help you understand your options, assist with your claim and carry out the repair or replacement with minimal disruption.
Champion Autoglass makes windscreen claims, repairs and replacements simple, fast and fully mobile, the way it should be.
