What to Do if Your Windshield Is Damaged by Hail
A severe hail storm can crack your windshield, and it's important to know what to do in this situation. If your windshield is damaged by hail, here are some steps you should take to repair the damage.
Assess the Extent of the Damage
Before you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, assess the extent of the damage. If only a small area is affected and your field of vision isn't impaired, you may be able to drive the car to your local windshield repair shop. However, if the damage is directly in your line of sight, or if you don't feel comfortable driving with a cracked windshield, you can contact a mobile windshield repair company to repair or replace the windshield. A mobile repair company can visit you at your home, at work, or wherever your vehicle happened to be when it was damaged, making it easy to get your car ready for the road once again.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Depending on the type of coverage you have on your vehicle, you may be able to have the cost of repairs covered by your policy. Comprehensive coverage can sometimes cover this type of damage, while collision insurance typically only covers the cost of repairs you cause to another vehicle in a crash. If you have comprehensive coverage, take pictures of the damage to your windshield. Should you notice the damage right away and hail is still present on your car, be sure to get images that include the hail. Inspect the rest of your vehicle for other signs of damage, including dents, and include those pictures as well. You may be able to get the cost of repairs covered for any dents in the body as well as the replacement of your windshield.
Ask About Warranty Coverage
When your windshield is replaced, it is no longer covered by your vehicle's manufacturer warranty. Some mobile windshield repair companies offer warranties to cover the windshield and labor, which can protect you should it be installed incorrectly or if it is in some way defective. Ask for a written copy of the warranty, and keep this paperwork with your insurance policy and manufacturer warranty. Having this paperwork will be essential should you have any problems with your new windshield later on.
Be sure to ask a windshield replacement company any questions you might have, including how long the replacement process will take and how much the cost is expected to be. Once your windshield is replaced, your car can be ready to drive home.