Windscreen damage on your car: repair, replacement and how it affects your premium

What is windscreen damage and why act quickly?

Windscreen damage often starts innocently: a small stone flies up from the road and leaves a tiny chip. That chip may look harmless, but temperature changes, vibrations and moisture can quickly turn it into a long crack running across the glass. Once that happens, repair is usually no longer possible, and the entire windscreen must be replaced — a job that can cost between €800 and €1,500 for modern cars with integrated cameras and sensors. Acting fast not only protects your safety, it protects your wallet. In most cases, a chip can be repaired in under half an hour, often free of charge if your insurer handles it through its approved repair network.

A common misconception is that a chip is not urgent. Insurers actively encourage you to report damage immediately, as they prefer a cheap repair over an expensive full replacement. If you delay, the chip can spread into a crack that makes the windscreen irreparable, pushing you into the pricier replacement category of your policy. Moreover, a damaged windscreen can weaken the vehicle's structural integrity and may even cause it to fail the APK (Dutch MOT test). The sooner you act, the lower your risk of extra costs and hassle.

Which car insurance covers windscreen damage?

Whether you're covered for windscreen damage depends entirely on the type of car insurance you hold. Dutch car insurance comes in three main tiers: WA (third-party liability), WA+ (limited comprehensive, also called 'beperkt casco') and Allrisk (fully comprehensive). WA is mandatory and only covers damage you cause to others; damage to your own vehicle, including the windscreen, is excluded. WA+ adds coverage for certain perils affecting your own car, typically including glass breakage. Allrisk covers virtually all damage to your own car, so it includes windscreen damage. Some insurers also offer a standalone glass add-on if you only have WA. The exact terms vary considerably between policies and insurers, so always check your policy schedule.

*Note: Exact cover, excess amounts and premium impact differ per insurer and policy. Always check your own policy wording for your specific situation.

If you're unsure whether your current policy provides adequate windscreen cover, it can be useful to compare providers. A car insurance comparison without commission shows if you're overpaying and whether other policies offer better glass terms. Also check whether your car insurance is bundled into a home package — you might save by unbundling your car insurance while maintaining solid cover.

Repair or replacement: what makes sense?

The decision to repair or replace largely depends on the size, location and severity of the damage. A chip smaller than a 2-euro coin and not directly in the driver's line of sight can usually be repaired effectively. The repair typically takes about 30 minutes and restores the windscreen's strength. If the crack is longer than a few centimetres or the chip is right at the edge of the glass, replacement is usually unavoidable. When replacing, the market value (dagwaarde) of your car also matters; many policies cover only up to the actual cash value unless you have new-for-old cover. Read more about day value vs new-for-old to avoid surprises.

Most Dutch insurers work with a nationwide repair network for windscreen damage. The benefit is that you get quick service, usually without having to pay upfront. Many policies offer a glass guarantee through this network: a chip repair costs you nothing and keeps your no-claims discount intact. A full replacement typically involves an excess payment, but you still avoid the full invoice amount.

Impact on your excess and claim-free years

The excess (eigen risico) on windscreen damage is one of the biggest cost factors. Many insurers apply a separate excess for glass replacement, often between €150 and €300. Repairs are usually covered under a special clause that sets the excess to €0 — provided you use the insurer's designated repair network. If you want to learn more about how increasing your voluntary excess can lower your premium, read our guide. However, a higher voluntary excess can sting when you need a full windscreen replacement, so weigh this carefully per policy.

Then there's the effect on your claim-free years (schadevrije jaren). This is where the biggest financial impact can lie. The Dutch bonus-malus system uses your claim-free years to calculate your no-claims discount. Many insurers do not count a chip repair as a claim, preserving your discount. For a full replacement, the picture is mixed: some insurers treat it as a claim and you drop back on the bonus-malus ladder, which can increase your premium by hundreds of euros a year. It's essential to check whether your policy includes a 'glass clause' that exempts replacement from affecting your claim-free years. Use our claim-free years and premium impact checklist to calculate the effect on your situation.

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Even though windscreen damage is widespread, stubborn myths persist about insurance cover and its consequences. Here are the most common mistakes people make — avoid them to save money and stress.

• Waiting too long to report: a small chip can quickly develop into a crack. If you delay, the insurer may only cover the more expensive replacement, complete with excess.
• Assuming WA covers your own windscreen: WA (third-party) insurance only covers damage to others, never your own vehicle.
• Believing your no-claims always drops: many chip repairs don't affect your claim-free years, but a replacement sometimes does — read the fine print.
• Ignoring the insurer's repair network: if you get the windscreen fixed outside the approved network, you might get a lower reimbursement or lose the excess waiver.
• Confusing the general excess with the glass-specific excess: some policies have a separate glass excess that differs from the standard amount.

These misunderstandings can lead to unnecessary costs. Reviewing your policy before any damage occurs puts you in a much stronger position. When in doubt, having an adviser look over your policy can quickly highlight gaps or overlaps.

How to check your policy for windscreen cover

Verifying your car insurance for windscreen cover is straightforward once you know where to look. Grab your policy schedule and the full terms document, then walk through the points below.

If after this check you still have doubts about your cover, it's wise not to keep guessing. An independent expert can put your policy into a broader context and see whether you're over- or underinsured. For instance, whether your car insurance still matches your vehicle's value and whether a non-life insurance check could uncover other hidden savings.

When an independent insurance check makes sense

Windscreen damage is just one part of your overall insurance package. Many households have their car insurance, contents cover, personal liability and other policies with different providers, with no clear idea whether the premiums and covers still align. It's often at the moment you face a claim that you discover exactly how good — or poor — your cover is. An independent review can bring clarity to questions like: do I have the right windscreen cover, is my excess in line with my financial buffer, and how does my car insurance fit the current value of my vehicle?

PolisMoment offers a free, non-binding non-life insurance check. We don't give you personal advice ourselves, but we connect you with one independent advisory firm that reviews your situation without commission. They examine your premium, cover, excess and any overlaps across policies. Even if you only want to discuss windscreen damage, you can bring along other policies — like your fire damage cover at home — to avoid future surprises.