A chipped or cracked windscreen can happen at any moment — a stone flicked up from the road, sudden temperature changes or unexpected debris. It’s frustrating, inconvenient and, if left untreated, potentially dangerous. The good news is that many car insurance policies do cover windscreen repairs, but the details vary depending on the insurer, the type of policy you have and the extent of the damage.

In this guide, we explain when windscreen repairs are covered, how excess works, whether claiming will affect your no-claims bonus and how to decide whether to claim or pay privately. You can also explore our car insurance options to see what your cover includes.

Does Car Insurance Cover Windscreen Repairs?

In most cases, yes — comprehensive car insurance typically includes windscreen cover, which may apply to repairs, replacements or both. However, not every policy handles windscreen claims the same way, so it’s important to check exactly what your insurer offers.

You can review the full details of our policies through our insurance policies section.

Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive cover usually includes:
• Windscreen chip repairs
• Windscreen cracks
• Front, rear and side window glass
• Full windscreen replacement
• Glass claims that normally do not affect your no-claims bonus

Many comprehensive policies even offer zero-excess chip repairs, as repairs are faster, safer and cheaper than replacements.

Third-Party Policies

Third-party and third-party, fire and theft policies usually do not include windscreen cover unless added as an optional extra.

If you’re unsure whether you’re covered, you can contact our claims team directly using our claim numbers.

What Kinds of Windscreen Damage Are Covered?

Most insurers cover a wide range of windscreen damage, depending on the severity and location.

You’ll typically be covered for:
• Small chips
• Star-shaped cracks
• Edge cracks
• Heat-related cracks
• Full fractures requiring replacement

Information similar to our guidance on what to know before buying breakdown cover can help you understand how insurers assess risk and damage types.

How Much Do Windscreen Repairs Cost Without Insurance?

Repair costs vary, but here are typical UK ranges:

• Chip repair: £40–£70
• Larger chip repair: £70–£120
• Full windscreen replacement: £300–£1,000+

Premium cars with sensors and ADAS calibration can cost even more.

This is why windscreen cover is valuable — a repair that would cost £60 privately may be £0 on insurance depending on your excess.

Windscreen Excess Explained

If your policy includes windscreen cover, it normally has two separate excesses:

1. Repair Excess

Often £0. Many insurers (including those we work with) do not charge excess for chip repairs.

2. Replacement Excess

Typically £75–£150.
This depends on your policy and the type of repairer you choose.

Does Making a Windscreen Claim Affect Your No-Claims Bonus?

In most cases:
• Repairs do not affect your no-claims bonus
• Replacements also usually do not, but may still be recorded as a claim

If you’re comparing future premium costs or claim behaviour, our blog on paying monthly vs yearly for car insurance offers helpful context on price factors.

Should You Claim or Pay Privately? We Break It Down

Choosing whether to claim or pay out-of-pocket depends on cost, excess and personal preference.

Claiming Is Usually Best If:

• The damage is large
• The crack affects visibility
• The car has sensors needing calibration
• Your excess is low or £0
• Your policy includes full glass cover

Paying Privately May Be Better If:

• Your excess is higher than the repair cost
• You prefer to avoid a claim being logged on your record
• The damage is small and a local repairer can fix it cheaply

If you’re unsure which option is best, you can speak to our support team through our contact service and we’ll guide you through your choices.

Will Windscreen Damage Fail an MOT?

It can — depending on location and size.

DVSA MOT Rules

• Any chip >10mm in the driver’s direct line of sight (Zone A) may result in failure.
• Any crack >40mm anywhere on the windscreen can also cause a failure.

Official guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/8-nuisance

A quick repair prevents an MOT failure and ensures your vehicle remains road-legal.

Do Windscreen Claims Increase Insurance Premiums?

Most insurers treat windscreen claims separately from collision claims.

Typically:
• A repair does not affect your no-claims bonus
• A replacement usually does not either
• The claim may still appear on your record
• Multiple claims can influence future premiums

Our blog on common breakdown myths gives similar clarity on how insurers interpret incident history.

Using Approved Repairers vs Independent Technicians

We always recommend checking whether your insurer uses approved repairers, because:

Benefits of Approved Repairers

• Lower or zero excess
• Guaranteed workmanship
• ADAS sensor calibration included
• Direct invoicing to insurer
• Faster processing

Why Some Drivers Choose Independents

• Flexible appointment times
• Potential savings on minor repairs
• Preferred technician loyalty

If you choose an independent repairer, be aware you may pay a higher excess or need to pay upfront and reclaim later.

What You Should Do Immediately After Windscreen Damage

A fast, structured response prevents further damage and unnecessary costs.

Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. Take clear photos
Capture close-ups and wide shots.

2. Check your policy documents
You can review what your cover includes by visiting our insurance policies section.

3. Contact the insurer or our support team
If you need help making a claim, you’ll find everything you need through our claim numbers.

4. Avoid extreme temperature changes
Hot water, heating or car washes can worsen cracks.

5. Repair quickly
Small chips spread easily; early repairs save money and improve safety.

Windscreen Rules for Lease and Company Cars

Lease and fleet vehicles follow stricter requirements.

Lease Cars

• Most lease agreements require approved repairers
• You may need to notify the lease company
• Returning a car with unrepaired damage may incur a fee

Company Cars

• Repairs often follow your employer’s fleet policy
• Claims may go directly through the fleet manager

If in doubt, you can message us via our contact service for guidance.

Quick Example: Should You Claim?

A driver with a £100 excess notices a small chip.

Option 1: Claim

• Repair cost through insurer: £0
• No impact on no-claims bonus
• Quick appointment

Option 2: Pay Privately

• Local repair: £50–£60
• No claim recorded

Best choice: Pay privately — cheaper than excess.

Checklist: How to Decide Whether to Claim

✔ Is the chip smaller than a £1 coin?
✔ Is your excess higher than the repair cost?
✔ Are you trying to avoid a logged claim?
✔ Is the damage outside the driver’s vision?
✔ Does your car need ADAS calibration?

If mostly “yes”, paying privately may benefit you.
If mostly “no”, claiming may be the safer option.

How Long Does a Windscreen Repair Take?

• Chip repair: around 20–45 minutes
• Full replacement: 1–2 hours
• ADAS recalibration: 30–60 minutes

Many insurers — including those we work with — offer mobile repair services for convenience.

Need Help Understanding Your Cover?

If you’re unsure about your excess, no-claims bonus or whether to claim, we’re here to help.
Our service standards explain what you can expect when you contact us, and our about section provides more information about who we are and how we support our customers.

You can reach us directly through our contact service.

Conclusion: Does Car Insurance Cover Windscreen Repairs?

In most cases, yes — especially if you have a comprehensive policy.
Whether you claim or pay privately depends on excess, damage size and how you want your claims history to look. The most important thing is to act quickly to ensure your car stays safe and road-legal.

If you’d like more guidance, you can browse our car insurance policies or read helpful insights such as breakdown cover advice and insurance myth-busting.

And if you need personal support, we’re always here via our contact service.