Your windshield is critical for your safety on the road, so you should get it repaired as soon as possible every time it suffers damage. Just know that auto insurance coverage for windshield damage isn't automatic. Even when the coverage applies, there are things you should consider before filing such a claim. Below are some of the circumstances in which filing a windshield damage claim makes sense.

You Have the Right Coverage

The coverage you have, plus the cause of the damage, determine whether the carrier will pay for your windshield damage or not. For example, collision coverage will come to your rescue if the windshield damage occurred when your car collided with another object. Comprehensive coverage will cover damages arising out of all issues other than collisions. Full glass coverage, an optional rider, will cover all damages to all glass in your car.

The Windshield Is Expensive

Even if you have the right coverage, you should only consider filing a claim if it is worth it. Windshield damages are typically relatively cheap to fix. For example, most windshield chips and cracks cost less than a hundred dollars to repair. Even if you have to replace the windshield, you may not spend a lot of money depending on the make and model of the car. Filing such small claims might not make sense. However, some windshields might cost thousands of dollars to replace; that makes it worthwhile to file a claim.

Your Deductible Is Low or Nonexistent

One of the reasons it doesn't make sense to file small claims is that you also have to pay the deductible. In some cases, the deductible might even be more than the cost of the windshield repair, in which case you can't file a claim. However, this may not be an issue if you don't have a deductible or the deductible is extremely low.

Someone Else Is Responsible for the Damage

You can always file a windshield damage claim if the damage is caused by another motorist. In this case, you file a third-party claim against the other driver, and your policy or coverage doesn't come into play. However, you will have to prove the other driver's liability and your damages. It's great if you can get the insurance company to settle your claim without going to court because the cost of a windshield is usually not worth litigating a case.

You can prepare for your windshield or auto glass issues in advance by talking to your insurance agent. That way, you get a good understanding of your insurance coverage so that you know when you should or should not submit a claim.