Once, I had a minor accident that caused a large crack across my windshield. One of the first thoughts that crossed my mind was, “does my car warranty cover this?” Windshields are a very important part of a car that, unfortunately, aren’t indestructible, and also are quite costly to replace.
Thankfully, many car warranties cover windshields. However, some conditions like negligent driving and specific types of damage may deter warranty companies from covering your windshield replacement or repair costs.
This article will share the details of the type of windshield damage your car warranty will cover.
There are many things that can damage a windshield, often without any fault from the owner. The most common types of windshield damage stem from car accidents, extreme weather, storm debris, or flying rocks.
If you didn’t know, the weather temperatures also affect your windshield, causing it to expand and contract, over time weakening the glass. This leads to cracks, chips, and other windshield-related damages.
Many manufacturers’ lifetime warranties only cover some parts of the car so you need to read closely to note what exactly the contract offers. Look out for details on windshield replacement or statements about cracked windshields to help you determine what your warranty can offer you.
Most car warranty companies and windshield suppliers offer different types of coverage for their warranties. For instance, a new car warranty as regards windshield may:
If you go to have your car installed with new glass from an approved glass company, you may also get some sort of warranty covering the repairs. It could either be a limited or full warranty.
A full warranty means the coverage of the warranty meets all the standards of comprehensive warranty coverage. Limited warranty, on the other hand, does not cover all kinds of damages or repairs connected with your car’s windshield replacement.
So, it is important to always find out from your windshield repair service the type of warranty they offer. If you’re not sure, you can give them a call to find out.
Car warranties generally cover damages that are not described as ‘wear & tear.’ If the reason your vehicle windshield needs repairs is due to wear & tear, then you may not be eligible for warranty coverage.
Generally, most front windshields have a lifespan of 5 years. If damages occur due to reckless driving, it may disqualify you from getting the warranty benefits.
There are a few other reasons why you may be excluded from car warranty benefits. Some of these reasons include;
Do you still have questions bugging you about your car warranty & windshield? Perhaps the following questions we’ve answered for you can further help to settle your uncertainties.
There are different types of windshield damage that can occur on your car. A simple, narrow crack is one of them. With so many other types of problems a car could have, is a cracked windshield important enough to be covered by a warranty?
It should be, but usually, it’s not covered. Auto warranties do not cover a cracked windshield except under certain conditions. For instance, if the windshield was not manufactured properly and cracked from daily usage.
If it got cracked due to road debris, the most common way these damages occur, it may not be covered. Even full warranties often don’t cover this type of damage.
Luckily, damage like this is also known as accidental damage, which means your auto insurance may be willing to cover it.
A bumper-to-bumper warranty is a comprehensive coverage that covers most auto-mechanical breakdowns from materials to workmanship.
Most new vehicles offer this warranty, so they’re also known as new vehicle limited warranties, and they often last for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
Bumper-to-bumper warranties cover your car’s windows and windshield if the damage was due to a manufacturing error. The manufacturer will have an independent inspector be the judge of the issue.
MaxCare is an optional warranty service that provides coverage for your vehicle beyond what your car manufacturer’s warranty offers you. MaxCare’s general warranty covers repairs related to mechanical, electrical, and most moving parts.
Its extended warranty also covers standard maintenance services. MaxCare does not cover cosmetic items, wear items, or damages caused by aftermarket additions.
CarMax does not expressly state in its warranty that it covers the cost of windshield replacement. If you would like to confirm this, you can contact the service to see if they provide this coverage.
State Farm is an auto insurance company that covers home, car insurance, and more. State Farm will cover the cost of your windshield replacement and repairs if you have comprehensive coverage with them.
To access this, you pay a deductible, and State Farm will cover the rest of the costs. The main types of repairs covered by the State Farm insurance include small breaks in the non-acute area and small bullseye breaks, star, half-moon, or a combination of different breaks.
If the windshield breaks are beyond repair, you may need a replacement, which State Farm also covers.
Nissan offers a warranty called the Nissan Factory Warranty. It’s valid for 3 years or 36, 000 miles. It’s a full electrical mechanical warranty that covers most workmanship and manufacturing-related issues. However, it doesn’t cover worn items on the vehicle like upholstery and windshield cracks.
Toyota warranty does not cover damages to the windshield by rocks or debris. To help with this, it’s best if you contact your insurance company as comprehensive coverage will likely cover the costs. Some insurance policies often offer a really low deductible for windshields than other car parts, so you may get a good deal.
Like many other types of warranties, Honda will replace a broken or chipped windshield if the damage was caused by defects in the materials or bad workmanship.
Many car warranties will only offer to repair or replace your windshield if the damage was from their end, for instance, if the damage was due to a manufacturing error or problem with the materials. If you want better coverage for your vehicle’s windshield, your insurance may be better suited to serve you.
