| ★ TL;DR TL;DR: Windscreen cover is the part of your car insurance that pays for repair or replacement of the windscreen, rear window, and side windows if they are damaged. Most Comprehensive policies include windscreen cover as standard. Chip repairs are usually free with no excess; full replacements carry a lower excess than the main policy excess, typically £75 to £100. On modern vehicles with ADAS cameras, replacement includes recalibration costing £100 to £500 extra. Glass claims typically do not affect the no-claims discount. |
Last reviewed: 26 April 2026
What windscreen cover is and what it pays for
Windscreen cover is a specific inclusion within a motor insurance policy that pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle's glass, the windscreen at the front, the rear window, and the side windows. It is not a separate insurance product; it is a standard component of most Comprehensive motor insurance policies, and in some cases is also included in Third Party Fire and Theft policies.
The two scenarios windscreen cover addresses are distinct and are usually priced differently by insurers.
A chip or crack repair is appropriate when the damage is small enough to be repaired without replacing the glass entirely. Most insurers include chip repair at zero excess, meaning the repair is free to you, with no contribution required. The repair is carried out by an approved glass repair specialist using resin injection. The resin restores the structural integrity of the glass and improves the optical clarity of the chip, though the damage remains faintly visible.
A full windscreen replacement is needed when the chip or crack is too large or in a critical position to be repaired safely. A chip directly in the driver's primary line of sight, or a crack that extends across the windscreen, typically requires full replacement. Most insurers apply a specific windscreen excess to replacement claims, typically £75 to £100, which is lower than the main policy compulsory excess applied to other types of claim. The full replacement is carried out by an approved glass repairer using an equivalent original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or approved aftermarket windscreen.
Is windscreen cover included in your policy?
For most UK Comprehensive motor insurance policies, windscreen cover is a standard inclusion. The ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker Q4 2025 all-age average of £622 reflects premiums where windscreen cover is typically included. However, "Comprehensive" does not have a single legal definition, individual policy wordings vary, and windscreen cover can be absent from some stripped-down or budget Comprehensive products.
For Third Party Fire and Theft policies, windscreen cover is less commonly included as standard but is available as an add-on from some insurers. Third Party Only policies do not include windscreen cover.
Before assuming windscreen cover is included, read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) provided by the FCA-required summary for your policy. The IPID clearly lists included and excluded features. If windscreen cover is not listed as a standard inclusion, it will be available as a paid add-on in most cases.
ADAS recalibration: the modern windscreen replacement complication
Many vehicles manufactured from 2018 onwards, and the great majority of current production vehicles, have Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) cameras and sensors mounted on or near the windscreen. These systems include forward collision warning, lane departure alert, automatic emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. The cameras are typically positioned at the top of the windscreen, behind or adjacent to the rear-view mirror.
When the windscreen is replaced, the ADAS camera must be recalibrated to the new glass geometry. A camera that is not recalibrated following windscreen replacement may operate with incorrect angles or distances, producing inaccurate or absent safety system responses. ADAS recalibration is a specific technical procedure requiring approved equipment and trained technicians.
The cost of ADAS recalibration is typically £100 to £500 depending on the vehicle make, model, and the specific ADAS systems fitted. This cost is separate from the windscreen replacement cost itself. Some insurers include ADAS recalibration within their windscreen cover standard terms for approved network replacements. Others treat it as an additional cost or require it to be claimed separately.
Before arranging a windscreen replacement, confirm with your insurer whether ADAS recalibration is included in the windscreen claim. If not covered, the recalibration cost is borne by the policyholder, a significant unexpected expense that can exceed the windscreen replacement cost on some vehicles.
Does a windscreen claim affect your no-claims discount?
Most UK motor insurers treat windscreen claims as NCD-protected, the claim does not trigger the NCD step-back that a standard fault claim produces. This is a significant benefit: a windscreen replacement, which may cost the insurer £300 to £600 for glass and recalibration, can be claimed without losing the two-year NCD step-back that would apply to a fault collision claim.
However, this NCD protection for windscreen claims is a policy provision, not a legal requirement. Some policies do trigger an NCD effect for glass claims. Verify the specific NCD treatment for windscreen claims in your policy document, the IPID will indicate whether glass claims are NCD-protected.
Approved glass repairers: Autoglass, National Windscreens, and network access
UK motor insurers typically manage windscreen claims through approved glass repair networks. Autoglass (part of Belron) and National Windscreens are the two most prominent national networks. Both operate mobile repair and replacement units that attend at the vehicle's location and fixed centre locations.
Using an approved network repairer typically ensures: the repair or replacement meets the insurer's quality standards; the ADAS recalibration (where required) is carried out correctly; and the claim is managed directly between the network and the insurer with minimal policyholder involvement.
Some policyholders choose to use an independent glass repairer and claim reimbursement. In this case, the insurer's approval for the repairer and the specific glass type used should be confirmed before the work is carried out, using non-approved glass may affect the claim outcome.
Key Figures
| Metric | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK avg motor premium Q4 2025 | £622 | ABI | Q4 2025 |
| Windscreen replacement excess (typical) | £75-£100 | Market standard | 2026 |
| Chip repair excess (typical) | £0 (free) | Market standard | 2026 |
| ADAS recalibration cost (typical) | £100-£500 | Market estimate | 2026 |
| Windscreen cover included in Comprehensive | Typically yes | Market standard | 2026 |
| NCD impact of windscreen claim | Typically NCD-protected | Market standard | 2026 |
| Road Traffic Act 1988 minimum | Third Party Only | legislation.gov.uk | 2026 |
| IPT standard rate | 12% | HMRC / gov.uk | 2026 |
| FCA IPID requirement | All motor policies | FCA | 2018 |
| BIBA broker finder | biba.org.uk/find-insurance/ | BIBA | 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is windscreen cover included in my car insurance?
Windscreen cover is a standard inclusion in most UK Comprehensive motor insurance policies, but "Comprehensive" has no single fixed definition. Check your Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) to confirm whether windscreen cover is listed as a standard inclusion in your specific policy.
Do I pay an excess for a windscreen chip repair?
Most insurers include chip repair at zero excess, meaning the repair is free to you. Full windscreen replacement carries a specific windscreen excess, typically £75 to £100, which is lower than the main policy compulsory excess.
Does making a windscreen claim affect my no-claims discount?
Most UK motor insurance policies treat windscreen claims as NCD-protected. The claim does not trigger the standard two-year NCD step-back. However, this NCD protection is a policy provision, not a legal requirement, verify the specific treatment in your policy document or IPID.
What is ADAS recalibration and do I need it after windscreen replacement?
ADAS recalibration is the technical process of re-aligning the cameras and sensors mounted on or near the windscreen after a replacement. Modern vehicles with lane departure, emergency braking, or forward collision systems require correct calibration for the safety systems to function accurately. The cost is typically £100 to £500. Confirm with your insurer whether this is included in the windscreen claim.
Can I use any glass repairer for a windscreen claim?
Insurers typically manage windscreen claims through approved networks such as Autoglass and National Windscreens. Using an unapproved repairer or non-approved glass may affect the claim outcome. Confirm insurer approval before using an independent repairer.
| ✓ Editorial Process How we verified this Road Traffic Act 1988 section 143 confirmed at legislation.gov.uk. FCA IPID requirement confirmed at fca.org.uk. ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker Q4 2025 confirmed at abi.org.uk. HMRC IPT rate confirmed at gov.uk. ADAS recalibration requirements confirmed against Thatcham Research and vehicle manufacturer documentation. BIBA broker finder confirmed at biba.org.uk. Last fact-checked 26 April 2026. |
Sources & Verification
- Road Traffic Act 1988, section 143: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52
- ABI Motor Insurance Premium Tracker Q4 2025: https://www.abi.org.uk
- FCA, Insurance Product Information Document: https://www.fca.org.uk
- HMRC Insurance Premium Tax: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/insurance-premium-tax
- Thatcham Research, ADAS and vehicle safety: https://www.thatcham.org
- BIBA, Find a specialist broker: https://www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance/
- gov.uk, Driving without insurance: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/penalty-for-driving-without-insurance
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.
