Damaged Windscreen
When your windscreen is damaged, whether it is small or large damage you need to call a company to come out to fix it for you, and call your insurance company to make a claim. Windscreen damage can initially result in minor damage such as a chip, but this chip can cause all the glass to crack further if not looked at sooner.
Most companies will pay for the glass replacement and any other damages e.g. scratches by the glass, but not damage or loss. They will not pay for the excess, any repairs made to other glass parts in your car, for example sunroofs, loss of use and any alternative transport needed during these repairs.
Some people are worried that their car insurance premium will increase if they make a claim on small cracks in their windscreen. However, some insurers give discounts for smaller cracks that are less than a £1 coin size, which is normally repaired within 20 minutes. Even though drivers are worried that there premium will increase, if the crack in the windscreen gets any bigger the damage will increase and therefore the cost will increase. For example, instead of a 20 minute repair of a small crack on the windscreen, the whole windscreen may need to be replaced, resulting in a longer, more expensive repair job. However, one in ten vehicles on the road is risking this expense and their safety, due to having damage on their front windscreen.
Therefore, you should not ignore even a small crack in your windscreen, if ignored these chips will result in large cracks on your windscreen, which is a failed MOT. If your windscreen is not in working order then your windscreen wash bottle and your windscreen wipers will also not work efficiently, which are important for stopping the windscreen from freezing up in the winter and for rain removal, which need to be in working order.
Windscreen Wipers and Wash Bottle
Windscreen wipers can become damaged. Over time the rubber on the wipers becomes worn as it is exposed to the atmosphere, so wipers need to be replaced every 6 months.
The windscreen wash bottle needs to be filled up regularly, but if it is not filled up it can result in £1000 fine and 3 points on your licence. The windscreen wash bottle is needed to stop the screen from freezing up in the winter and the fluid is used to keep the screen clean.