Calculators & guides
Windscreen and Glass Claims: How They Work
By Sipho Dlamini · 4 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
- Usually covered
- Under comprehensive, with a smaller glass excess
- Often
- Does not affect your no-claim discount
- Tip
- Repair a chip early before it spreads
Most comprehensive policies cover windscreen and window glass, usually with a smaller separate glass excess and often without affecting your no-claim discount - which makes glass one of the easier claims to lodge. A chip repaired early is cheaper and may even be excess-free with some insurers.
Knowing how the glass excess works and whether a glass claim counts against your record helps you decide when to claim and when to pay yourself.
This short guide covers the essentials.
What glass cover includes
Comprehensive policies generally cover the windscreen and other window glass against chips, cracks and breakage. Some include sunroof glass; check your wording. Headlights and mirrors may fall under normal accident cover rather than glass cover, so confirm what your policy treats as 'glass'.
The separate glass excess
Glass claims usually carry a smaller, separate excess than a normal accident claim - and some insurers waive it for a chip repair (as opposed to a full replacement) to encourage early fixes. Repairing a small chip before it spreads into a crack is cheaper for everyone and may cost you little or nothing.
Does a glass claim affect my no-claim discount?
Many insurers do not count a windscreen or glass claim against your no-claim discount, treating it separately from accident claims. This is not universal, so check your policy. If glass claims are excluded from the discount calculation, there is little downside to claiming for a cracked windscreen.
When to claim and when not to
- Chip: get it repaired early - often cheap and sometimes excess-free.
- Cracked windscreen: usually worth claiming, as replacement is costly and glass often does not affect your discount.
- Tiny scratch you can live with: paying yourself may be simpler than a claim.
Check the glass excess against the repair cost before deciding.
How to lodge a glass claim
- Contact your insurer or use the app and select a glass claim.
- They usually direct you to an approved glass fitment partner.
- Pay the glass excess (if any) directly to the fitter.
- Keep the invoice and any reference number.
Glass claims are typically quicker than accident claims because the process is standardised.
Frequently asked questions
Does car insurance cover a cracked windscreen?
Comprehensive cover usually includes windscreen and window glass, with a smaller separate glass excess. A cracked windscreen is generally worth claiming because replacement is costly and many insurers do not count glass against your no-claim discount.
Is there an excess on a windscreen claim?
Usually yes, but it is normally a smaller, separate glass excess rather than the full accident excess. Some insurers waive the excess for a chip repair to encourage early fixing before the chip spreads into a crack.
Will a windscreen claim affect my no-claim discount?
Often not - many insurers treat glass claims separately and do not count them against your no-claim discount. This varies by policy, so check your wording. If glass is excluded from the discount, there is little downside to claiming.
Should I repair a chip or replace the windscreen?
Repair a chip as early as possible - it is cheaper, faster, and sometimes excess-free. If the chip has spread into a long crack or sits in the driver's line of sight, a full replacement is usually needed.
Does third party cover include windscreen glass?
No. Glass cover for your own car is part of comprehensive cover. Third party only and third party fire and theft do not pay to repair or replace your own windscreen, since they do not cover accident damage to your car.
How do I claim for a broken windscreen?
Contact your insurer or use the app, select a glass claim, and they will usually direct you to an approved glass fitter. Pay any glass excess to the fitter and keep the invoice and reference number.
