Car Insurance Guide

Windscreen and glass cover explained

Written by Daniel Pretorius Insurance Content Editor Reviewed by Nomsa Dlamini RE5 qualified · 12 years in short-term insurance Updated 28 July 2026 Our editorial standards →

Does car insurance cover a windscreen, and is there an excess?

Windscreen cover pays to repair or replace your car's glass - the windscreen, and often the side and rear windows - after a chip or crack. On most comprehensive policies it's included, usually with a lower excess than a standard claim, and repairing a small chip is often cheaper than a full replacement, sometimes with no excess at all. Third-party policies generally don't include windscreen cover.

Key takeaways

Comprehensive policies usually include windscreen and glass cover; third-party ones usually don't.
Windscreen claims often carry a lower, separate excess than other claims.
Repairing a small chip early is cheaper and can prevent a full crack.
A glass-only claim often doesn't affect your no-claim bonus, but confirm this.
Check whether side and rear windows, and sunroofs, are included.

What windscreen cover includes

Windscreen or glass cover pays to fix or replace the glass in your car after accidental damage - most often the front windscreen, and on many policies the side and rear windows too. It's the kind of claim that comes up often, because a stone thrown up by a truck on the highway can chip or crack a windscreen in an instant. On a comprehensive policy this cover is generally built in. Our related guide on whether car insurance covers a windscreen goes into more depth.

Does windscreen cover carry an excess?

Usually there's an excess, but it's often a separate, lower glass excess than the excess on a normal accident claim. Many insurers also treat a small chip repair more favourably than a full replacement, sometimes waiving the excess entirely to encourage early repair. The exact figures differ by insurer, so check your schedule for the glass excess and whether chip repairs are excess-free. That detail can make the difference between claiming and simply paying for a quick repair yourself.

Chip repair vs full replacement

A small stone chip can often be repaired - a technician injects resin to stop it spreading - which is quicker and cheaper than replacing the whole windscreen. Left too long, the same chip can spread into a crack, especially with temperature changes or a bumpy road, and then only a full replacement will do. Because repairs are cheaper (and sometimes excess-free), it pays to act on a chip early rather than waiting for it to become a crack across your line of sight.

Does a windscreen claim affect your no-claim bonus?

On many policies a glass-only claim doesn't count against your no-claim bonus the way an at-fault accident claim does, precisely because windscreen damage is so common and usually no one's fault. But this isn't universal, so confirm it with your insurer before you claim. If a chip repair is cheap and excess-free, and it doesn't touch your bonus, claiming is usually the sensible choice.

What windscreen cover doesn't include

Glass cover is for the glass itself. It generally won't extend to related items unless your policy says so - for example, some policies exclude or separately treat sunroofs, panoramic roofs, or the recalibration of driver-assist cameras mounted on modern windscreens. Damage caused by wear, existing cracks you didn't repair, or a windscreen damaged in a larger accident (which would fall under the main accident claim) are handled differently. Read the wording so you know exactly what your glass cover pays for.

Frequently asked questions

Does car insurance cover a cracked windscreen?

Comprehensive policies usually include windscreen and glass cover, so a cracked windscreen is generally covered. Third-party policies typically don't cover your own glass. Check your policy to confirm and note the glass excess that applies.

Is there an excess on windscreen claims?

Usually yes, but it's often a lower, separate glass excess than a standard accident claim. Many insurers also waive the excess on small chip repairs to encourage early fixing. Check your schedule for the exact figures.

Will a windscreen claim affect my no-claim bonus?

On many policies a glass-only claim doesn't reduce your no-claim bonus the way an at-fault accident claim would, because windscreen damage is common and usually no one's fault. This isn't guaranteed, so confirm it with your insurer before claiming.

Does windscreen cover include side and rear windows?

Often, but not always. Many policies cover the windscreen plus side and rear windows, while some limit cover to the front windscreen. Sunroofs and camera recalibration may be treated separately. Check your policy wording for the exact scope.

Should I repair a chip or replace the windscreen?

Repair a small chip as soon as possible. It's cheaper, quicker and often excess-free, and it stops the chip spreading into a crack. Once a chip becomes a large crack in your line of sight, a full replacement is usually the only option.

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