- Motorists are suffering from a growing wave of damaged windshields, insurer warns
- Bad weather, poor roads and increasing car technology are behind the increase
- Not all car insurance offers cover windshields as insurers reduce coverage
Motorists are forced to make more insurance claims for broken windscreens due to poor roads, bad weather and more sophisticated technology.
Insurer Allianz said it will spend an average of £327 per windscreen claim in 2024, up 17 per cent from £308 in 2022.
Windshield repairs for minor damage rose 4 percent in volume in 2023 compared with 2022, according to Allianz, which owns major auto insurer LV.
Likewise, claims for total glass replacement increased by 13% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Out in the open: Increasingly extreme temperature changes in the UK are bad news for car windscreens as they expand and contract, worsening damage and even causing cracks.
Windshield damage claims are on the rise in part due to the increasing deterioration of roadways.
The state of the roads is a constant problem for motorists, with the number of potholes rising sharply as cash-strapped councils cut back on repairs.
Cracked windshield claims are also on the rise due to extreme heat and cold, which can make any damage worse.
Increased automotive technology is behind the rising cost of windshield repairs.
As more vehicles are equipped with heated windshields, claims have increased 21 percent in 2023 compared to 2021.
Caroline Johnson, from Allianz, said: ‘We are seeing more and more claims for windscreen breakages and replacements, so it is a good idea to check what is and is not covered, as well as the excesses payable if you make a claim.
‘There are many different reasons why we are seeing an increase in windshield claims. This ranges from road conditions, such as potholes, to extreme temperatures.
‘Cold snaps during winter and sudden heat waves during summer can cause splinters to turn into cracks. It’s also a good idea to get any small splinters checked as soon as possible, before they get worse over time and cost more to repair.’
Is my windshield claim covered?
Drivers are also warned that not all windshield insurance claims will be covered.
This is because cheaper “essential” policies increasingly exclude cover that drivers might expect, such as damaged windscreens, which can be a problem if drivers are not informed.
Insurers remove coverage to make their policies cheaper and therefore more attractive in a competitive market.
Cheap car cover is especially attractive because of rapidly rising insurance prices, which mean the average driver now pays a record £635 a year for cover.
Drivers should know what their car insurance contract covers and what it does not.
Standalone windscreen cover can be added to most car insurance deals for around £20 to £30 a year, or purchased as a standalone policy which usually costs around £50.
