Windscreen repair and replacement

Your windscreen is more important to your car than you may think. It provides up to 30% of your car’s structural strength, and also supports the airbag if it’s activated during an accident.

A crack in your windscreen might seem minor, but it can have a significant effect on your safety on the road. It’s important you repair your windscreen as soon as damage occurs, and always use a professional for any windscreen repairs.

Replacing or repairing your windscreen can be expensive. In this article, we break down windscreen cover and answer some commonly asked questions.

Do I replace or repair my windscreen?

If your windscreen is damaged, it can either be repaired or replaced. Repair may be the best option for small cracks, while bigger cracks or intrusive damage may need a full replacement.
According to vehicle glass specialists O’Brien, your windscreen will need replacing if:

it has a chip bigger than a $1 coin
there are cracks of 3cm or longer on the driver’s side of the windscreen
there is other damage that obstructs the driver’s line of sight

How much does a brand-new windscreen cost?

Canstar estimates that the cost to repair or replace your windscreen can be anywhere from $250 to more than $1000. The cost depends on a number of different factors, including the size and position of the damage, and the make, model and age of your vehicle.

Does insurance cover a cracked windscreen?

Well, that depends on the kind of insurance you have, and on any extras you may have added to your policy. Cover for a broken windscreen is included as part of some comprehensive car insurance policies, such as Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance*.

However, even if you have comprehensive insurance, you’ll still need to pay an excess towards the cost of your windscreen repair or replacement. The excess you pay will depend on your policy and should be listed in your policy schedule. It’s important to note, the excess may even make up most of the cost of replacing your windscreen. Claiming for a windscreen repair or replacement may also count against your claims history.

How can I avoid paying out of pocket for windscreen claims?

To avoid paying out of pocket for a windscreen repair or replacement, you may be able to purchase optional excess-free windscreen replacement cover for an additional premium.

We offer optional Removal of Basic Excess for Windscreen Claims cover. You can add this to a new or existing Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance* policy at an additional cost, provided the glass has no pre-existing damage. This optional cover can make windscreen repairs and replacements less expensive, as you can make an excess-free claim for up to two windscreen or window glass repairs and one windscreen or window glass replacement in each policy period.

With Allianz, you can even process your claim directly through windscreen specialists O’Brien Glass, getting the damage fixed hassle free. Learn more about Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance. It’s important to note that car insurance is unlikely to cover a previously damaged windscreen.

If you have any questions regarding your car insurance, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 13 1000. As always, we’re here to help you.

* Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. Before making a decision on whether to purchase Allianz Comprehensive Car Insurance, consider the PDS.

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Disclaimer

This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 (“Allianz”). In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.

Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither Allianz, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.

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Allianz acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work across Australia. We pay our respect to First Nations Elders past and present.

Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website. We do not provide any form of advice if you call us to enquire about or purchase a product.

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