Know The Law About Cracked And Chipped Windscreens
With September having started with a heatwave more reminiscent of the start of summer than the end of it, many motorists will be happily driving around with little thought of the risks the weather will bring their vehicles - not least their windscreens - in the next few months.
However, while we are not yet at the time when autumn storms will bring flying debris and falling branches, or the icy roads and poor light of winter will bring skid hazards, there are even now several hazards that could suddenly see your car windows damaged.
For example, a newly re-laid road surface may have lots of stone chips or gravel on it that may fly up and impact the windscreen, often after being churned up by the wheels of the car in front.
This may be tackled by giving the car in front more room so that you are less likely to be hit by trailing debris, but you will never be completely out of risk of this happening and the other causes such as storm debris are unavoidable unless you keep your car off the road and undercover whenever the weather turns bad.
Whatever the cause of impacts, the result can be a chipped windscreen, which may leave you with a dilemma: Do you leave it, hope it doesn’t get worse and seek to save money in the process, or do you get the windscreen replaced?
Advising motorists on this issue, the AA has said cracks can get you in a lot of trouble, especially once they are sufficiently bad to impede the driver’s view in any way.
It explained: “It may be illegal to drive with a cracked windscreen and might constitute a motoring offence, as it could be considered use of a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition.”
This would mean any driver being stopped with a cracked windscreen that restricts the driver’s view could face a trip to court with the prospect of a fine and three points on their licence - all this on top of having to get the windscreen replaced anyway.
In addition, if such a car is involved in an accident this makes it more likely the driver is the one at fault, which has implications for their motor insurance. And if that wasn’t enough, a chipped windscreen could also cause your car to fail its MOT.
For these reasons, it makes sense to get your chipped windscreen replaced and if cost is a concern, there is no better way to deal with that issue than by getting upfront windscreen insurance.
By doing so, not only will you cover yourself for the specific eventuality of windscreen damage, but there will be no need to even think about taking the risk of driving with a chipped or cracked window.
Instead, you can use your insurance to cover the replacement of your windscreen and get back on the road with a clear view ahead, keeping you both safer from accidents and from the traffic police.