Look after your windscreen this winter

Glass damage needn’t chip away at no claim discount
Privilege Insurance is urging drivers to put safety first this winter by getting any windscreen chips repaired straight away – and is reassuring customers that their no claims discount will not be affected.

A chipped windscreen is not only an annoyance, it can also be a safety hazard leading to driver distraction and potentially weakening the glass.   But, despite the evidence in front of their eyes, many motorists choose to ignore windscreen damage, mistakenly believing they will be penalised by their insurance company if they make a claim. 

To encourage drivers to act quickly, Privilege stresses that windscreen repair will not affect no claim discounts.  Privilege also pledges to waive the excess on any chips which can be repaired.

Damage to the front windscreen accounts for a large proportion of work carried out each month on cars belonging to Privilege customers.  However, the windscreen is repaired in only a quarter of cases.  This number could be much higher, as often a chip has been left too long and developed into a crack that renders the entire windscreen unsafe.  This is especially dangerous if it happens while driving.

Research shows that over one in ten vehicles on the road have damage to their front windscreen. During the winter months the number of damaged windscreens is expected to rise, as is the severity of any existing damage.

Not only could prompt action save money – it could also benefit the environment.  The waste from each repair is about the size of a car key – significantly less than the waste created by a windscreen replacement.

Chips smaller than a £1 coin can usually be repaired in around 20 minutes, and the repaired windscreen will be as strong as a new one, with the work virtually invisible.

Kate Syred,  Marketing and Commercial Director of Privilege Insurance commented:
“By taking prompt action when they notice a chip in their windscreen, motorists can save money as well as ensuring their car is safe.  The longer a small crack or chip is left, the less likely it is to be repairable – and that means paying the excess towards the cost of a replacement.”

“Whether windscreen damage can be repaired or requires replacement, no claim discount will not be affected, so there is really no reason for not acting quickly to get the damage assessed by an expert.”