The answer for most Ontario drivers is yes, and for chip repairs it is often yes with no deductible. But it depends on one line in your policy, and the details are worth five minutes.
Comprehensive is the coverage that matters
Ontario's standard auto policy (OAP 1) has two optional damage coverages: collision, which covers your car when it hits something, and comprehensive, which covers damage from everything else: theft, vandalism, fire, hail, falling objects, and glass breakage. Windshield damage from a stone is a comprehensive claim. If your policy shows comprehensive coverage, or "all perils" (which bundles both), glass is covered.
If you carry liability only, or liability plus collision, glass is not covered and you pay the shop directly. Older cars are often insured this way to save on premiums; it is worth knowing before you need it.
Deductibles, and why chip repair is often free
Comprehensive has a deductible, commonly $300 to $500 in Ontario, that applies to a windshield replacement claim. For chip repair, most insurers waive the deductible entirely, because a repair costs them a fraction of what a replacement would and stops the claim from getting bigger. That policy is why we push people to book a repair the week they notice a chip: repaired, it costs you nothing; left to crack, it costs you the deductible.
Some insurers also offer a reduced glass deductible as an option. Ask your broker; it is cheap and pays for itself on the first windshield.
OPCF 43 and other endorsements
You may see OPCF 43 (waiver of depreciation) on newer vehicles. It is not a glass coverage on its own, but it affects how a total-loss claim is settled and sometimes how glass on a new vehicle is handled. The relevant coverage for a windshield is still the comprehensive section. If you are unsure what you have, the declarations page of your policy lists each coverage and its deductible.
Will a glass claim raise my rates?
In general, comprehensive claims are not rated the way at-fault collision claims are. A single glass claim should not move your premium. Repeated comprehensive claims in a short period can be looked at more closely, but a windshield every few years is normal in Ottawa and insurers know it. If you want a definitive answer for your policy, your broker can give it in a minute.
You choose the shop
When you call in a claim, the insurer may suggest a preferred shop. In Ontario you have the right to have your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice, and using an independent shop does not affect your coverage or your claim. If you would rather have the work done here, tell the adjuster, and we handle it from there.
How the claim actually goes
- You call us with the vehicle details and your policy number.
- We contact the insurer, confirm coverage and deductible, and get an authorization number.
- We do the work, at the shop or mobile. ADAS recalibration is included in the claim where the vehicle needs it.
- We bill the insurer directly. You pay only the deductible, if any.
No forms, no paying up front and waiting for a cheque. More on insurance claims.
Gatineau and Quebec drivers
Quebec's system is different: injury coverage is public through SAAQ, but damage to your own car is private insurance, and glass falls under the comprehensive portion of that policy. We bill Desjardins, Intact, Beneva, Promutuel and the other Quebec carriers directly. Mobile service in Gatineau.
Common questions
Is windshield replacement covered under comprehensive in Ontario?
Yes. Glass breakage from stones, vandalism and similar causes is a comprehensive claim, subject to your deductible.
Do I have to pay a deductible for a chip repair?
Most Ontario insurers waive it for repair. You usually pay nothing.
Can my insurer make me use their shop?
No. In Ontario you can choose the repair shop, and it does not affect your coverage.
Related
Is It Safe to Drive With a Cracked Windshield in Ontario?
A crack looks cosmetic. It is not. Here is what it does to the structure of the car, when it becomes a ticket in Ontario, and how long you realistically have before repair stops being an option.
Can You Get a Ticket for a Cracked Windshield in Ontario?
Ontario does not set a crack length. It sets a visibility standard, and police apply it to the driver's side of the glass. Here is where the line is and what it costs to cross it.
How Big a Crack Can Be Repaired on a Windshield?
Size matters less than location and age. Here are the actual limits we work to, the damage types that repair well, and the ones that do not.