Chip/crack on windscreen. Will my premiums go up next year? *URGENT*

General_query

Thanks guys, so it is/isn't repairable depending on your point of view!

Bad photo I guess, couldn't get one from the outside as sun was shining off screen, and too bright even if I turned car around.

Found my policy documents, under "Windscreen damage":

Produce this Certificate to our approved company Autoglass, and they will replace your glass, subject to a £75 excess, billing us for the balance. If they can repair (rather than replace) the windscreen, then £10 excess applies.

If you do not deal direct with Autoglass, our maximum payment will be £125 for replacement and £40 for a repair after deducting the excess.

You may contact our approved company by calling our dedicated Glass Hotline on 0800 328 7471.

So, they do use Autoglass as first choice, and that last line says I call them direct!

Now how to sort out getting them to come. Don't use car in the week but out until 6pm. Anyone know if they do evenings?

I take it is has to be sunny/dry too for a repair?

Thanks (so far everyone). Nothing like a motoring incident to make you forget you've just been on holiday

General_query

Just had an online chat with xxxxxxx who told me:

"The windscreen claim do not affect your no claim discount and it may of may not affect you premium at renewal" (sic).

Think I'll get a quote off Autoglass and pay for the repair myself without insurance knowing.

That's legal - isn't it?
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IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

You do have to be careful on broken glass claims, as some insurers may decide that you are a risk for claiming for glass (either due to vandalism or theft or stony roads) and decide to up your premium to cover their costs.

However, the increase in premium I had was not out of proportion to the claim, something like 10-20% of the repair, though it was a while ago. I was a bit miffed about the misleading nature of having a NCD but then having the base premium uplifted to compensate for having made a claim. Still sulking some 10 years after it happened!

General_query

So, am I best calling Autoglass and paying the £10 excess then?

"If they can repair (rather than replace) the windscreen, then £10 excess applies".

How much is that windscreen chip repair claim going to put my current £500 premium up by then?

And, you have to legally declare you have made a claim on all future policy quotes/applications even though it wasn't my fault I got hit by whatever causing the glass damage?

Madness.

Quentin

If you don't claim you don't risk any premium loading/years of disclosing.

Get a quote for a repair from a local independent before contacting your insurer.

Rolandtheroadie

When I looked at claiming £360 worth of windscreen, running dummy quotes including the claim put at most around £3 onto the annual premium.
For all I know, the £3 could have been down to changes in general insurance costs since I'd taken my policy out.
Think I was paying around £250 a year at the time for insurance.

[Deleted User]

General_query wrote: »

And, you have to legally declare you have made a claim on all future policy quotes/applications even though it wasn't my fault I got hit by whatever causing the glass damage?

You do have to declare it, but not for all future quotes.

It's only for a limited number of years, usually 5.

thescouselander

I have a lot of experience with this as the slightest thing seemed to put a crack in my previous car's windscreen and I went through 3 of them over the 5 years I owned it.

Put simply I've never found any evidence that claiming for glass damage effects future premiums. The simplest and least hassle route will be to phone your insurer and get it sorted. Usually insurers insist on using their approved company (usually Autoglass in my experience) so check what it says in your policy booklet first.

Quentin

thescouselander wrote: »

Put simply I've never found any evidence that claiming for glass damage effects future premiums.

Dangerous generalisation!


eg With some insurers glass damage claims mean no NCD is awarded - which could have significant effect on your future premiums - especially if you had nil NCD at the start of the year!

General_query

Booked online appt. with Autoglass yesterday, and missed their call back. Rang them back and the appointment was for 30/7, not 23/7 as I had made online.

Guy explained it will be between 4-7pm, not 4-8pm as the system showed and my printscreen proved.

I put a note on the booking saying I won't be home until 6pm, so please do not come until then - saving their time.

He explained they can't do that and I would have to be available from 4pm - 7pm. Said can't do that. Then offered next available appointment on 1/8 - but I am not available that weekend.

So, cancelled appointment and back to square one