A cracked or chipped windshield will reduce the value of the car. Whoever buys it from you will have to take care of that repair, and they're going to subtract that cost from whatever you ask for the vehicle. Even a single splinter or crack in the windshield can cause your car to lose value. This is true even for people who know that superficial conditions mean nothing when it comes to the operation of the car.
When you change your vehicle or sell it to a car dealer, they will decrease the amount they offer you due to chips and cracks in the windshield. This is because a dealer will have to replace the windshield before selling the car. As a rule, it is worthwhile to replace the windshield of your car yourself if you plan to change it or sell it to a dealer. When it comes to costs, aftermarket windshields and replacement services almost always come out cheaper.
Like any other vehicle repair, you'll often see a discount when you buy third-party replacement parts and avoid going to your dealer. Many original equipment manufacturers (Subaru, Volvo and Honda are just a few examples) recommend or specifically require technicians to replace the windshield with an OEM part. They even claim that the technology behind the windshield could malfunction if you use an aftermarket glass replacement. On top of that, due to the complicated nature of the calibration process, it can be worth doing the repair at the dealership, where you can rest easy knowing that the technicians replacing the windshield also specialize in recalibrating your OEM's ADAS system.
In any case, we recommend that you do your research before booking your windshield replacement just to make sure that your own safety is your top priority. Yes, you must use insurance to repair or replace your windshield if it would cost you more than your deductible to pay out of pocket for work. If the deductible exceeds the cost of repair or replacement, the insurer will not cover any of that and filing a claim would not make sense. A glass repair claim may cause your premium to increase slightly because of the cost to your insurer.
But even if your rate goes up, it's likely to be around 2%, compared to around 40% for an accident claim. Replacing the windshield of a new, luxurious vehicle loaded with features could cost twice as much as replacing the glass on an older economy car. The type of glass used is another factor that greatly influences its final price. If your windshield is damaged in a collision caused by another driver, your liability insurance will cover repair or replacement costs.
While insurance coverage for windshield replacement varies widely depending on where you live (for example, some regions have mandatory comprehensive coverage), the insurance industry is still faced with the effects that these security systems are having on its claim rates. Ultimately, you may want to allow feedback from potential buyers to determine if the windshield is worth replacing. Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina require all insurance companies to waive comprehensive deductible for windshield repairs and replacement. Florida, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Kentucky have laws requiring comprehensive policies to pay in full for windshield replacement.
Don't tell your insurance company you're trying to sell your vehicle, just check their windshield repair and replacement policy. Repairing or replacing the windshield before you try to sell your car is just one small thing you can do to maintain or even increase the value of your vehicle. When a windshield is damaged by anything other than a car accident, Geico will arrange repair or replacement as long as the policyholder has comprehensive coverage. In general, it is necessary to replace the windshield if it has a crack larger than a dollar bill or a splinter of more than 25 cents.
Windshield repair and replacement are usually affordable, so the cost may be less than the deductible. If the cost is slightly higher than your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim and paying higher premiums over time to save on windshield replacement right now. . .
