Windshield and Glass Claims
Posted on Mar 5, 2013 2:48pm PST
Sometimes accidents happen, including a broken car windshield or window. There are times that the broken glass incidents are the result of a car accident, but other times the glass breaks because of a rock that hit the window or an item that flies out of a truck ahead. If you are dealing with a broken window or windshield at present, then you should probably file a claim with your insurer. Most insurance companies will cover the costs of repair or assist with the expenses in the comprehensive coverage. You will want to contact your insurance company and provide the policy number, personal information, your vehicle’s VIN and the details of the incident and the damage.
If the item that stuck your windshield fell out of a truck bed or a trailer in another vehicle, then you should provide that vehicle’s information as well. Chances are that if the item hit your car when you were driving behind the car, then the driver may be completely unaware that the incident happened. While it is ideal for a driver to pull over after an accident like this and exchange information, you may not have been able to do so. It is important to always get the license plate of any driver that causes your car damage, because the vehicle owner can be tracked this way. You may want to contact the driver who was responsible for the glass damage and explain that your vehicle was damaged because of an item that fell from his or her car or truck.
If your insurance company chooses to cover the damage, then you will want to talk to a representative and determine whether or not you are going to repair the glass or replace it depending on the extent of the damage. Your representative at your insurance company can probably also set up a good time for the repairs to be made. In some cases, a technician can do the job in your driveway and you will only need to wait an hour to drive your car with a brand new window. You will want to explore this option depending on the state of your window. Most windshields that have minor cracks or chips can simply be repaired this way.
When you are thinking of filing a claim for this type of vehicle damage, you will want to think about your deductible limit and the repair cost for the chipped or cracked windshield. This is because filing the claim may cause your premiums to jump. If the repair cost is almost the same as the deductible cost, then it may be worth it to avoid filing a claim and paying for the damage out of pocket. This is because it will keep the claim off of your insurance and help you to avoid a surcharge.
If you believe that another party is expressly responsible for the damage to your car and you want them to pay for the damages, then a lawsuit may be in order. For example, if your car window is broken because a neighbor threw a baseball at it, or if you damaged your windshield when hardware tools fell out of a truck bed ahead of you on the highway, then you should be able to obtain compensation in these situations. In some cases, a repentant individual may volunteer to cover the costs of the damage, but if a person refuses to do so, don’t hesitate to take legal action. With the right lawyer on your side, you will be able to accomplish the task ahead with success.