Windscreen insurance & Damage

Driving with a damaged windscreen can be dangerous. A large crack or chip can obscure your view of traffic and other hazards. And even a small crack could grow, weakening your windscreen.

Find out whether your insurance will cover windscreen damage and what the rules are for passing your MOT.

Does car insurance cover windscreen damage?

If you have a chipped or cracked windscreen, you may be able to claim for a repair or replacement glass on your car insurance. 

Windscreen damage may be included in a comprehensive policy but not in a third party, fire and theft policy.

What is windscreen cover?

If windscreen cover is part of your comprehensive car insurance policy, you'll be covered for:

• Repairing any chips


• Replacing a windscreen or other windows

You'll just have to pay a excess towards the cost. The excess for repair or replacement can vary depending on the level of car insurance.

If it's not included on your policy as standard, you may be able to add windscreen cover as an option.

Stand-alone windscreen cover is around £60 a year. Even this could save you paying several hundred pounds for a windscreen replacement, depending on the car model. Plus, it lets you to keep any no claims discount.

How do I claim for windscreen damage?

To claim for windscreen damage on your insurance you'll need to:

• Contact your insurer by phone or online and give them your policy number.


• Tell them what happened, where you were at the time and anything you saw.


• Your insurer will review your claim and advise you what to do next.

Usually, you'll be told which repairer to use, otherwise you could end up paying the bill yourself.

Find out how to claim for windscreen damage on your AA car insurance.

Is it legal to drive with a chipped windscreen?

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 state:

All glass or other transparent material fitted to a motor vehicle shall be maintained in such condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver while the vehicle is being driven on a road.

Depending on its size and position, a chip on your windscreen could impair your view. The MOT test will decide whether your vehicle is safe to drive, but if you're unsure you can arrange a repair beforehand.

Read more about the risks of driving with a cracked windscreen. 

What are the MOT rules for a damaged windscreen?

The windscreen is divided into two zones for the MOT test. Depending on the zone, some damage can fail an MOT. 

Damage in Zone A
• Zone A is a 290mm wide band centred on the steering column. The top and bottom of the zone is defined by where your windscreen wipers sweep.


• Damage more than 10mm wide will normally fail the MOT. 

Damage anywhere else
• Damage wider than 40mm anywhere else on the windscreen will normally fail the MOT.

Read more about passing your MOT here.

What causes a cracked windscreen?

Stones and grit are the most common causes of cracks and chips in windscreens. They can be picked up by car tyres and propelled towards other cars on the road.

You can avoid getting a chip by leaving a safe distance between yourself and the next car, although a chip can be caused by an oncoming vehicle.

Other causes of cracked windscreens include:

• Cold temperature – If you clear a frosty screen with hot water the thermal shock could turn an existing chip into a crack.


• Potholes – The shock of hitting a pothole could make an existing windscreen crack worse.


• Weather – Heavy hailstones or chunks of ice coming off other vehicles could chip a windscreen, as well as branches falling from trees or carried by strong winds.

• Windscreen safety

What should I do if I get a chipped windscreen?

If you spot a small crack or chip in your windscreen, it's best to get it fixed quickly. It'll be more difficult to repair if you leave it and dirt gets in.

Until your repair appointment, there are a few simple steps you can follow to stop the damage getting worse:

• Change temperature slowly – In cold weather, heat your windscreen gradually.


• Defrost your car carefully – Avoid using hot or warm water to defrost your windscreen as this could make a chip or crack worse.


• Park in the shade – Avoid direct sun or use a heat reflecting car shade.


• Don't slam car doors – This could cause a sudden pressure change inside your car, which can make a chip crack.

Can I repair a chipped windscreen?

If the damage is right in front of you – in the area known as Zone A – only damage up to 10mm wide can be repaired.

Elsewhere on the windscreen a chip up to 40mm wide can be repaired.

Any dirt or moisture getting into the chip will make a visually acceptable repair more difficult, so it's important to act quickly.

And if ignored, a small chip can grow and become irreparable. Cracks can form through the combined effects of heat, frost, dirt and vibration.

• Clean and dry the chip, then fill it with a clear resin similar to glass.


• The damage won't completely disappear but the chip will be less visible and have a smooth surface.

Author: The AA. Published 9 August 2018. Updated 17 December 2024.