A stone chips off the road, the star-shaped crack stays – glass damage is the most common and most routine casco claim. That's exactly why it's worth knowing how the process works: a quick, good decision (repair or replace, when and where) saves time, money and hassle.
- A small stone chip outside the driver's field of view can often be repaired – it's quicker, and the terms typically treat it more favourably.
- A crack, or damage in the driver's field of view, means replacement; in a modern car, camera calibration is a compulsory part of the replacement.
- In many policy terms, glass damage has its own separate deductible rule – it's worth knowing which one applies to you before you report it.
Repair or replace? The decision rule
Resin repair works for small, point-like damage that isn't in the driver's field of view and isn't near the edge of the glass – the exact limits depend on the technology used. In favour of repair: it's quick, cheaper, and the original glass stays in place. Replacement is needed once a crack has started, or if the damage is large or badly positioned. An important timing rule: a small chip can grow into a crack from temperature changes or vibration – don't put the decision off for weeks.
Reporting and handling the claim
Glass damage is reported through the usual route (the insurer's claims line / online portal), but handling it is typically simplified: many insurers work with a contracted glass-fitter network, where the claim assessment and the repair or replacement happen in a single visit. Using your own glass fitter can also be an option – within the scope the terms allow: the rules on choosing a garage. On the deductible side, the separate glass rule applies: the article on glass damage explains it in detail.
Calibration: half of a modern replacement
The camera behind the windscreen is the eye of the lane-keeping assist, the sign-recognition system and the automatic emergency braking – after replacement it must be calibrated, otherwise these systems become unreliable. Calibration should be included in the replacement calculation; asking about it isn't impolite, it's a basic safety question. After the work, check whether the driver-assistance functions work without error messages – and don't forget to have any stickers (toll, parking permit) replaced too.
Got a chip in your windscreen? Let's see whether it's repair or replacement – and what your glass-damage rule is. book a free 20-minute consultation →
