Let's say that while driving along one day, a crack suddenly appears in your windshield. For all you know, you did nothing to cause this crack. It just popped up. This is what many professionals refer to as a stress crack. You'll need to have it repaired expediently to keep your windshield in reliable shape. Don't take stress cracks lightly, and immediately contact your insurer to see if they can assist you.
Often, auto insurance can help you in the event of a stress crack. Some limitations might apply.
What's a Stress Crack?
Stress cracks occur when surrounding conditions cause a windshield to breaks. Nothing has to hit the windshield for these fractures to open. They occur when the windshield cannot withstand certain environmental conditions it experiences. Multiple factors might cause these cracks, including:
- Sudden changes in the surface temperature of the glass
- Exposure to vibrations within the vehicle
- Misalignment of the windshield, causing uneven distribution of pressure
Generally, you can neither predict nor prevent a stress crack. You usually have no idea when or if one will occur. In this vein, your auto insurance can often step in to help you pay for the damage. It often will consider the crack an unpreventable accident, thus adding coverage.
Even so, you might still face certain limitations in filing a claim for windshield damage. Let your insurance agent help you determine how they can help.
Don't Wait to Contact Your Car Insurance Agency
As soon as a crack appears in your windshield, don't wait to fix it. The longer you go without fixing the damage, the greater your risk of making it worse.
Depending on the nature of the windshield's damage, your insurer may or may not pay. The deciding factor may come down to the cost of the damage.
Generally, small cracks in your windshield are not expensive to repair. Thus, the cost might fall under the value of your deductible. In these cases, some insurers won't pay. You'll have to meet the cost out of pocket. But, some insurers will waive the cost of your deductible when it comes to windshield damage. Your policy will therefore pay for this damage. Likewise, for more expensive replacements, you'll often have coverage regardless of deductibles.
You'll need to decide whether you want a full windshield replacement or a simple repair. Each might have its benefits, depending on the severity of the stress crack. Let your Florida auto insurance agent guide you on that decision, based on how your coverage might pay.