Full glass coverage is an option that some car insurance companies offer, but what is it, and is it worth it?  Check out the HPM Insurance blog to find out.

What is Full Glass Coverage with Car Insurance, And How Does It Work?

In New Hampshire, full glass coverage refers to having glass coverage without having to pay the typical deductible as part of comprehensive coverage.

Traditionally, windshields and exterior glass are covered under comprehensive coverage, which is subject to the deductible selected (usually $100, $250, $500, or $1000).  If you have full glass coverage and had a covered glass claim, you would not have to pay a deductible.

If your policy includes comprehensive coverage, but not "full glass coverage," you would need to pay the comprehensive deductible selected should you have had a covered glass loss.

What is Comprehensive Coverage on my NH Car Insurance Policy?

Comprehensive coverage is a protection that helps typically pay to repair or replace a vehicle if it is damaged in a non-collision incident or stolen. A policy's specific wording determines the exact claims that fall under comprehensive coverage, but it often includes events like falling trees or branches, hail storms, hitting animals (which is common in New Hampshire), fire, vandalism, theft and windshield/glass damage. 

(Because comprehensive generally protects against non-collision incidents, it’s sometimes called “other than collision” or “OTC” coverage.)

Full glass coverage may be offered as optional protection on a New Hampshire auto policy, but is not available with every insurance company.  Given the frequency of glass claims, if full glass coverage is not available, it is suggested that you select a lower OTC/comprehensive deductible.

One thing to note is that if your insurance company offers full glass coverage, they would most like require you to also carry comprehensive coverage as well. 

What is Typically Covered with Full Glass Coverage?

Full glass coverage normally covers all of the glass on an exterior of a vehicle, including the windshield, side windows, and rear window. If there is a sunroof or moonroof, that glass may also be covered.

Should any covered glass break, full glass coverage will typically pay for the repair or replacement of the glass in question. Depending on a policy’s terms and conditions, covered damage might include:

• Chips and cracks in the windshield caused by rocks or debris

• Shattered windows that break during a burglary

• Shattered windows that break due to a falling object

Power accessories, such as opening and closing controls, usually aren’t included in the protection. Additionally, headlight and taillight covers typically aren’t covered since they’re made from plastic on nearly all vehicles.

Whether a repair or replacement is made depends mainly on the extent of the damage. If a chip or crack can be repaired with epoxy or another material, this is frequently the most affordable option and what an insurer cover. If the damage is too extensive to repair, the window will likely be replaced.

The Benefits of Full Glass Coverage 

The main advantage of full glass coverage is that the protection normally eliminates any deductible that would otherwise apply to a glass-related claim. If there is a covered glass claim and this protection is in place, the policyholder usually doesn’t have to pay anything out of pocket.  As anyone is susceptible to a glass claim, regardless of how experienced a driver, it is a nice benefit.  The frequency of glass claims is undoubtedly more than other comprehensive losses, so the probability of benefiting from this additional protection is well worth it.

However, the elimination of a deductible applies only to glass claims. A deductible is still in force for non-glass comprehensive claims.  An example of this would be if your covered vehicle struck a deer which damaged the front of your car, as well as the windshield.  In this case, you would most likely need to pay the comprehensive coverage deductible selected.

Glass Repair with Full Glass Coverage is Easy

Insurance companies that do offer full glass coverage typically make it easy to file a claim and get a vehicle's glass repaired if there’s covered damage. The insurer may handle the claim directly or they might partner with a glass repair company to expedite the process.

Full Glass Coverage Has a Nominal Cost

As optional protection, full glass coverage frequently increases a car insurance policy’s premiums if it’s selected. The increase is often nominal and worth considering as anyone can have a windshield loss at any time.

Do I Even Need Glass Coverage?

Glass coverage (whether full glass or under comprehensive) may not even seem like something worth covering on an auto policy, as how expensive is it to pay for the repair or replacement yourself? 

Even if you have an older vehicle, without a loan on it, at HPM Insurance, we always suggest comprehensive/glass coverage.  The reason is that windshields are more expensive than you may think, and the frequency of glass claims are greater than other types of claims.  Anyone can have a rock kick up off the road or a truck in front of them which cracks the windshield. If the damage is in your line of sight, your vehicle will not pass inspection and will be required to be repaired or replaced.  It is not uncommon to see clients with at least a couple of glass claims over five or so years.

This does not even consider the cost of newer windshields and mirrors that have blind-spot monitoring, heads up display, solar protection, rain sensors, heated glass, etc., which can run into thousands of dollars.  

Find a Car Insurance Policy with Full Glass Coverage

If you’d like a car insurance policy that includes full glass coverage, let the independent insurance agents at HPM Insurance help you find one. Our experienced and knowledgeable agents can search policy options from multiple insurance companies in New Hampshire, so they can help you find a policy that has full glass coverage and any other offered coverage that you may need.