Auto insurance comes in handy when you run into unintended circumstances on the road, such as accidents or damage to your vehicle. You agree to pay small premiums that never get refunded, so the insurer covers losses that you cause and suffer in the rare event of an accident.
The way general insurance works is that your premiums often go higher every time you make a claim. So, most new homeowners always ask if auto glass claims affect insurance premiums.
Auto insurance is a bit different, though, so it depends on your local laws, which vary from state to state. In this post, we’ll discuss how auto glass claims can affect your insurance premiums.
What Is an Auto Glass Claim?
An auto glass claim is a type of insurance claim that covers damages to your car’s glass components, i.e., the windshield, side windows, and back window. You may need to have your insurer cover the repair and replacement of your glass if it has been damaged due to an accident, vandalism, or natural causes.
For more information, read: ‘Does Auto Insurance Cover Glass Repair and Replacement in Kentucky?‘
Typical Scenarios When Filing an Auto Glass Repair Claim
There are several situations in which you may need to file an auto glass claim, including:
- Accidents: If your car was involved in a collision and the glass was damaged, your insurer should cover the cost of repair or replacement.
- Vandalism: In some cases, criminals may damage your vehicle’s windows for no reason other than to cause trouble. In such instances, filing an auto glass claim can help you get the necessary repairs without having to pay out of pocket.
- Natural Causes: Severe weather conditions like hailstorms or strong winds can shatter or crack your car’s glass. Your insurance policy should cover these damages if you have comprehensive coverage.
Does Auto Glass Count as a Claim?
Yes, insurance companies treat auto glass claims as formal claims, so the system can process and document the process correctly. If you didn’t have any insurance, they wouldn’t be under a formal obligation to pay for your auto glass repairs.
However, most insurers don’t hold it against you if you have an auto glass claim on your record. They understand that it’s a common occurrence and not always preventable, so they typically won’t increase your premiums for filing one.
However, this attitude doesn’t extend to fault-based collisions.
Differences Between Comprehensive Claims vs. Collision Claims
There are two insurance types that cover damages to your vehicle: comprehensive and collision. While both provide coverage for auto glass repairs, they serve different purposes.
Collision Claims
Collision auto insurance only pays for auto glass repairs or replacement to your vehicle if you’re involved in a collision with other road users or objects while you’re driving.
Fault is a significant consideration for auto insurers when processing collision claims. If you were fully at fault, your auto insurer typically pays for the damage up to your policy’s limits.
Even though Kentucky is a no-fault state, fault can still play a role in determining your insurance rates. If you have a history of causing accidents or being deemed at fault, your premiums may increase dramatically.
Comprehensive Claims
Comprehensive insurance can be costlier than collision insurance because it covers a wider range of damages. Apart from collisions, comprehensive insurance covers damages caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
This coverage is crucial for folk residing in high crime areas or zip codes that keep suffering from natural disasters. You need to cover all your bases when it comes to protecting your car from potential damage.
Do Auto Glass Claims Affect Insurance Premiums?
As explained earlier, auto glass claims only affect your insurance premiums if:
- You only have collision-based insurance cover.
- You’re grossly at fault, like when you cause collisions while DUI.
The Law on Auto Glass Claims
The law varies from state to state. If you have comprehensive auto insurance in Kentucky, state law requires your insurance company to cover the full cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle’s glass — including the windshield — without charging you a deductible. However, while glass claims under comprehensive coverage usually don’t result in a premium increase, Kentucky law does not prohibit your insurer from raising your rates after such a claim.
Collision claims are different. If the damage is due to a collision, you will have to pay your deductible before any help from your insurers intervenes.
Legal Excuses for Insurers to Hike Your Premiums
Insurers can rely on some legal excuses to justify hiking your auto insurance premiums. These include:
- At-fault accidents: If your record indicates you were at fault for multiple accidents in the past few years, your insurance company may consider you high-risk and increase your premiums.
- Traffic violations: Multiple speeding tickets and reckless driving citations often attract rising premiums because they suggest you’re a reckless driver.
- Demographics changes: If you move to an area with higher insecurity rates, your insurance premiums may increase as well.
- Credit score changes: In most states, insurers use credit scores to determine insurance rates. If your credit score decreases, so might your chances of getting a good rate on auto insurance.
Should You File an Auto Glass Repair Claim?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It ultimately hinges on your insurance policy and who caused the damage.
Comprehensive vs. Collision Claims
You have to report to the authorities when you’re involved in a vehicular collision. That’s an obligation that you can’t get around. So, your insurance company will find out about such incidents whether you make claims or not.
So, you have everything to gain from your insurer and nothing to lose when you decide to claim in such a situation. Your insurer will pay for your losses and damages, and it will then seek to settle with other parties that may have been at fault.
As long as you were at fault, your insurance premiums are likely to go up whether or not you make a claim.
Cost of Repairs vs. Deductible
Let’s say you get into a minor fender bender and hit a curb when no one is looking, and no camera is recording. One of your car windows is slightly cracked, and no one else is complaining.
You don’t have comprehensive insurance, and you opted for a huge deductible on your collision insurance. The cost of repairs is likely to be less than your deductible, so you might consider paying for the damages out of pocket instead of filing a claim.
However, if the incident is severe and the repair costs exceed your deductible significantly, it may make more sense to file a claim and pay the lower deductible.
Fortunately, Kentucky law banned insurance companies from requiring deductibles for comprehensive auto glass claims.
Windshield Replacement vs. Repair: Insurance Considerations
It will always cost more to replace a windshield than to repair it. Also, there are only so many times you can repair a windshield before replacing it.
Comprehensive coverage will cover your auto glass replacement or repair costs. It typically covers damages caused by things like natural disasters, vandalism, and theft.
However, before filing a claim for windshield damage, consider the following factors.
1. Check Your Policy
Always check your policy for the specific details of your coverage. We’ve already established that collision and comprehensive claims have different rules and implications.
For example, I’d recommend using insurance for small repairs when you have comprehensive insurance, not collision insurance with high deductibles.
2. Use Approved Vendors
First, check with your insurance company to see if they have a preferred vendor for windshield repairs or replacements. They may offer special discounts or warranties if you use their approved vendor.
Preventive Care to Avoid Unnecessary Claims
We’ve implied it several times already, racking up your claims history negatively affects your premiums. So, why not take really good care of your windshield to avoid those unnecessary claims?
The following are some preventive measures for you.
1. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Dirt and grime will gradually pile up on your windshield, reducing visibility and causing scratches or chips. You can keep your windshield in tip-top condition by cleaning it regularly.
2. Never Drive While Intoxicated
Driving while intoxicated is extremely hazardous and can cause serious accidents. Your judgment gets impaired, increasing your reaction time and the chances of you damaging your windshield.
3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Sudden temperature changes can cause stress on your windshield and make it more prone to cracking. For example, washing a hot windshield with cold liquids can crack it due to thermal shock.
It’s important to slowly warm up or cool down your vehicle before cleaning the windshield or blasting the air conditioning or heat.
4. Keep Distance from Large Vehicles
Large vehicles such as trucks and buses tend to kick debris and rocks onto the road while driving. This debris can easily hit your windshield and cause chips or cracks.
Avoid driving too close to large vehicles, especially on gravel or unpaved roads because you’re more likely to collide with flying debris.
5. Avoid Construction Zones
Construction zones are another area where windshield damage is common. Construction equipment and trucks can easily kick up rocks and debris onto the road, which can hit your windshield at high speeds.
If possible, avoid driving through construction zones. If you do need to drive through one, slow down, and don’t drive close to construction vehicles.
6. Consider Paying Out-of-Pocket for Minor Repairs
If your windshield does get damaged, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible. Small chips and cracks can quickly turn into bigger problems if left unrepaired.
Consider paying for minor repairs out-of-pocket instead of going through your insurance. Why? You can read about it here: Should I Use Insurance to Replace Windshields.
Why Choose Rite-Way Auto Glass for Your Repair Needs
Three good reasons why you should do it, so let’s get to it.
1. Licensed, Insured Team
We’re a team of super talented professionals who are licensed and insured. Licensing and insurance entities hold us to state-mandated standards of quality, safety, and ethics. What does that mean for you?
It means you can trust us to repair your windshield with the highest level of precision and care. If we cause any damages, our insurer will cover it, so you don’t have to worry about any additional expenses.
2. We Help With Insurance Claims
Our team has years of experience working with various insurance companies and understands the process inside out.
We’ll guide you through every step of filing your windshield repair claim, making it as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
3. Quick Turnaround, Integrity-First Approach
We understand that your time is valuable and that you don’t want to wait for days on end to get your windshield repaired.
That’s why we strive for a quick turnaround, getting your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.
Our integrity-first approach means that we’ll always be honest and transparent with our customers, ensuring that they receive top-quality service without any hidden costs or surprises.
Call Us Immediately
Call us as soon as your auto glass has problems. Windshields and car windows are safety features of your car. They protect you from the outside elements and ensure visibility while driving. Waiting until it’s too late can lead to further damage or even accidents due to impaired vision.
