How Auto Insurance Covers Glass Damage

You have to be able to see out of your car windows to drive safely. Any glass breakage, therefore, is something you will have to have repaired. Your auto insurance can be there to protect you under the circumstances, provided that you have the right coverage. 

Once common cause of window glass damage is vandalism, which can occur at any time, even in areas where you think your vehicle is safe. Since this is often a hazard you can’t prevent, your auto insurance will cover your losses. However, depending on the structure of your benefits, you might see different levels of assistance available. 

Reacting to Glass Damage 

When you notice vehicle glass damage, and have a reason to suspect that someone vandalized your car, then the first thing to do is to call the police. You should not try to open the car doors or clean up any damage until they arrive. 

Rather, wait for the police to arrive and document the incident. They will need to collect evidence (Dust for fingerprints, etc.) and possibly take photos of the vehicle damage. They will also write a report, which can be used as proof for your insurer that the vandalism or other damage was not your fault. Keep the police report and the responding officer’s contact information on file. 

After you have finished with the police, contact your auto insurance provider. They will ask you about the incident, and might ask you to provide the police report, photos of the scene and other documentary information to substantiate your claim. Sometimes, insurance representatives will even come to your home to inspect the vehicle in person. 

Coverage Questions Answered 

Once you have reported vandalism (sometimes called partial theft) to your insurer, they will be able to start a claim on your auto policy for the damage. However, you must have a particular type of coverage—comprehensive coverage—in order to qualify for an insurance settlement. 

Comprehensive coverage is designed to cover damage to your vehicle that was not related to a collision. It might cover storm damage, fire damage, and yes, damage from vandalism or vehicle theft. Deductibles and your overall coverage limits will apply to comprehensive insurance claims, so you might not receive a settlement that is worth 100% of the costs of glass repair. 

Additionally, some auto insurers cover glass under a specific benefit called windshield or glass breakage insurance. While this coverage is essentially the same as comprehensive insurance and other physical damage insurance, it simply covers glass damage under different terms, which often make it a bit easier for policyholders to file claims. 

After you have repaired damage to your vehicle, consider what you can do to protect your vehicle from vandalism in the future. An alarm system, cameras and other resources can help you keep the vehicle secure.