Glass damage is the most common type of car insurance claim. According to Insurance Journal, an average of 7.5 million claims for glass damage are filed per year. Whether the damage is caused by a flying rock or a break in, chances are, at some point during the life of your vehicle, you will need to have your windshield repaired.

Did you know that a windshield is one of the most important safety features in a car? A chipped or cracked windshield isn’t just a cosmetic issue. Since your windshield is s part of your car’s structural stability, and even a chip could affect its ability to protect you in a crash. A chipped or cracked windshield can pose a real danger to drivers.

Even a small chip can quickly become a spider web crack. Among other causes, a chip can turn into a crack if you drive over a pothole, or if there is a dramatic temperature change. If not repaired, you may well eventually need to replace the whole windshield.

There are significant risks to ignoring a damaged windshield. However, some companies now surcharge for glass claims and others use them to determine your rating tier or premium. Such claims can cause your rate to be surcharged for 3 years.

In the event that you have a small chip that can be easily repaired, you may be better off paying this claim out of pocket rather than submitting a glass claim. If you have questions about this or other auto insurance claims, contact us today!