Hey everyone, I’m 22 years old with two vehicles: a 1999 Mazda Miata and a 2015 Chevy Cruz, both insured through Progressive. Recently, my insurance rates increased by about $50 per month, so I started looking for other options. My insurance agent found a new plan for $130/month but after checking my record, he saw I’d filed three glass claims in the last five years (all from stuff flying up and cracking my windshield). He said because of those claims, my new rate would be $375/month. Glass coverage is included in my Progressive policy. Is it normal for glass claims to increase your rates?
Yes, it can happen. A glass claim is still considered a claim, and the new insurer might see you as more likely to file other claims in the future, which increases the risk for them. That’s why they raise your rates to cover that potential cost.
@Zuri
I didn’t realize that, lol. My dad always told me that if I had glass coverage, it wouldn’t raise my rates since I’m already paying for it.
Zen said:
@Zuri
I didn’t realize that, lol. My dad always told me that if I had glass coverage, it wouldn’t raise my rates since I’m already paying for it.
That really depends on the insurance company’s policy. Not all of them handle it the same way.
A claim is a claim, no matter what kind it is.
I think it depends on how long you’ve been with the company and how many claims you’ve filed. For example, I’ve been with the same company for 40 years, and I’ve only had one at-fault accident and a few glass claims. I feel like they wouldn’t raise my rates as much as they would for someone with more recent claims like yours.
The best indicator of whether someone will make future claims is if they’ve made claims in the past. Personally, I avoid making glass claims unless I have a very expensive windshield.
Is it a bad idea to file a claim for small windshield chips, or is it better to just pay for it out of pocket?
Onyx said:
Is it a bad idea to file a claim for small windshield chips, or is it better to just pay for it out of pocket?
I didn’t care about small chips until they turned into cracks that affected my vision. I always thought if you have glass coverage and aren’t using it too much, it’s fine to file claims.
@Zen
Your dad might have been referring to the deductible. Some companies offer glass coverage with no deductible, so you’re not paying extra for small repairs.
Yes, this is definitely possible. Some states have laws that prevent your insurer from increasing rates after not-at-fault claims, but most don’t. You should check if you’re in one of those states.
Tyler said:
Yes, this is definitely possible. Some states have laws that prevent your insurer from increasing rates after not-at-fault claims, but most don’t. You should check if you’re in one of those states.
I’ll have to check that. I don’t think I’m in one of those states, though. It’s a bit concerning because I just had to file another claim after an accident I was not at fault for.
It’s pretty common for insurance rates to go up after a glass claim. Some people don’t care and make claims every time their windshield gets a chip, while others rarely file claims. Those who file a lot tend to collect more than they pay in premiums.