some git has cracked our windscreen. is it best to just claim on insurance?

[gigglinggoblin]

and do i report to police as criminal damage? someone ran over the top of the car last night (there are footprints to prove it) and windscreen has large crack. dont know if its best to report to police, deny all knowledge of how it happened and whether or not to claim on insurance (we have fully comp, will prob be v expensive if we dont), what happens to premiums and do i lose no claims (5 years not protected afaik)? have never had to do this before

any advice much appreciated

Ring your insurance company and ask them. Many of them won't hurt your no-claims bonus if you geta windscreen fixed. Some of them even pay the glass company directly. But not all - so best to check it

If with direct line, it won't affect your NCB, and you will have an excess relevant to windscreens only written in your policy.

That sucks, sorry! I would replace it yourself, normally there is a £50 excess on windscreens and your premiums might go up, so if it is going to cost you at least £50 anyway it might end up being cheaper.

Call your insurance company and check the excess first and then call a windscreen company and check the price, then go from there.
Not sure if you lose no claims as I don't know if windscreens are included, no harm in asking then though, they won't penalise you for that!

if i contact them and dont claim will they put it on file tho? i dont trust insurance companies!

just call them and ask if you're covered for cracked windows or not - say you were just chatting about it with some online friends and you're curious. You don't even have to give your name ...

Dh's windscreen cracked the other week & he had massive problems trying to get his insurance company to fork out - there was a pretty big excess iirc, and it took forever At one point we were waiting & waiting for the windscreen company (think it was Autoglass, but not sure) to ring to arrange to fix it, so DH thought it might be easier to get it done at the garage as the car was due a service - but the garage told us thay actually used Autoglass to & if they couldn't fit us in at home it wouldn't be any quicker at the garage.
DH is away atm, but if you want any details I can email him

ok will do that, thanks for all advice. must be less paranoid in future

thanks rusty, will call around before i use them, they were the first name that popped into my head but that doesnt sound great

I have a rubbish insurance policy but there is still windscreen cover on there - £70 excess, I had to use it recently - doesnt effect no claims - to replace a windscreen would normall cost about £400 depending on type and such like so def worth contacting insurance - or easier still check your documents - it should say on there, I'm with diamond, and have windscreen cover with direct line and a few others.