Windshield Replacement/Insurance

[jm001]

Yesterday while on the highway, something flew off the tractor trailer in front of me and hit my car's windshield. Now I have 2 scrape marks on the windshield (it is not chipped or cracked) and a very small dent on the hood. I was able to to note down the license plate number of the tractor trailer.

I took it to a auto glass repair shop and was told it cannot be repaired and that the scrape is minor and it will not get worse. Now the question is

- Should I report it to my insurance company? I have a $500 deductible, but the auto shop quoted me $350 to replace it.
- Since I was able to get the license plate of the vehicle that caused the damage, do I still need to pay the deductible?

I have not yet called up the insurance company fearing they will jack my rates when it is time to renew.

Any suggestions?

[jm001]

Anyone?

[eljay]

If you can live with the scrape marks on the windshield and the small dent on the hood, then live with them; otherwise, fix them.

If you decide to fix them and you can afford to pay cash, pay cash; othewise, file a claim with your insurance company.

[haystack]

With no fault insurance it counts as a claim and I doubt they will wave the deductible.

[jshel101]

I would phone your insurance company and ask them. Tell them you have the license plate of the truck that caused the damage. I would try and get the truck company to pay for the damage. I know a couple people in Calgary that where successfull getting gravel trucks to pay for their broken windsheilds. See if anything can be done. Ask them if your rate would go up if you put in a claim.

[Q]

The problem I see is that the truck just drove over something and the tire kicked it up. It is not the trucks fault.

I would be interested to see what they say though.

[scrooloose]

I believe you could hold the driver (company) liable, but the onus is on you to prove that he was responsible. Even with a license that's very hard to do. I've been driving with a 30 inch crack across my windshield for several months now. It started as a chip, from a stone kicked up by a truck. One of the many hazards of commuting to work!

-Mike

[57]

This is a common occurance and you could call the truck company to see what they say. If they will compensate you, get it in writing, perhaps get the money before doing the repair (they'll probably need the estimate).

Or you could simply live with it or repair yourself since it may not be worth the effort.

I upped my insurance deductible to about $2000 and this saves me a huge amount every year. Once in a while though I know that I will have to "suck up" a minor repair...

[jm001]

Thanks for your suggestion/response.

I can live with the damage, it is not a major distraction as it is towards the passenger side of the windshield. I did note down the license plate, but I failed to note down the truck company's name.

I will call the insurance company, but not file a claim and check with them if I have to pay the deductible. If they say yes, then I can probably live with it and if it gets worse then I will pay to get it replaced.

[scrooloose]

FYI - my insurance company told me I had to pay my deductible ($500) which is about the same price as a new windshield, so it's not worth getting them involved for me.

-Mike

[talljak]

I did that once, paid a 250 deductible and got the windshield replaced. Next years bill went up big time because they counted it as a claim.
So I do not recommend it unless there is 1000's of dollars worth of damage.
I took glass off my policy and just kept collision and liability.

[waterug]

I have heard it said, but I don't know if it's true, that merely discussing the possibility of a claim with an insurance company sends off alarm bells and is noted in your file. If your premiums go up the next year you will always wonder about that discussion you had.

[DJDiggler]

True! I had a bunch of car stereo equipment stolen one time, I didn't have any extra insurance for it so I phoned to see what I'd get for a claim... turned out to be peanuts so I said no thanks... find out later a theft claim was on my file!

A great site to find insurance info is www.infoinsurance.ca , found on that site is this form (pdf)
you can fill out and get a free report on your entire insurance history, from mundane details to exact dollar payouts in accidents. It's exactly what insurance companies use to score you and it's great to see what is on it. (very detailed info from my "eventful" younger years driving )

[jshel101]

I have phoned my insurance company before regarding a broken rear window in my Compass. The damage was done by a care driving by my parked Jeep and a rock flipped up and broke the back window. A witness reported this to me. I told this to the insurance company and they said that since i didn't have glass coverage, they couldn't cover it. If the damage was done by vandalism, then i would have been covered. They said my rates would not have gone up as this was not my fault.

I have heard it said, but I don't know if it's true, that merely discussing the possibility of a claim with an insurance company sends off alarm bells and is noted in your file. If your premiums go up the next year you will always wonder about that discussion you had

My rates did not go up after my call to the insurance company. In fact I have called a few times dicussing different things that have happened, with no rate increases

[DJDiggler]

Mine didn't go up either but it was still put on file... I'm guessing they just add any info they can to build a profile of you, possibly they so can determine you live in a high crime/vandalism area, or get frequent rocks in the windows ect.