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Free windshield chip repair to be included in ICBC optional coverage


February 8, 2017   by Canadian Underwriter


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Insurance Corporation of British Columbia announced Wednesday it will offer optional coverage for windshield repair for private passenger vehicles as well as some commercial light vehicles.

“Starting this spring, customers who purchase ICBC’s optional comprehensive coverage will be able to have a chip in their windshield repaired for free, as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so,” ICBC said in a release.

ICBC, a provincial Crown corporation, has a monopoly on basic auto coverage in B.C. The mandatory coverage includes $200,000 in liability for private passenger and some commercial owners as well as $150,000 in medical and rehabilitation benefits and $1 million in underinsured motorist coverage.

Private insurers may compete with ICBC in writing collision, excess liability and other optional auto coverage.

“In recent years, ICBC would replace a damaged windshield rather than offer to repair it because repaired windshields would often still need to be replaced a short time later,” ICBC stated Feb. 8. “Today, repairs can last substantially longer due to improvements in the technology and materials used.”

Last year, the insurer “handled approximately 109,800 windshield replacement claims.”

The average cost in 2016 was about $820.

“Windshield repairs cost significantly less than replacements, which will help ICBC reduce its material damage costs,” transportation and infrastructure minister Todd Stone stated in a release.

ICBC will work with partners such as the Automotive Retailers Association and the New Car Dealers Association, “in developing the new program and more details will be announced closer to its implementation this spring,” the insurer stated.


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1 Comment » for Free windshield chip repair to be included in ICBC optional coverage
  1. J Gerspahcer says:

    I worked for an auto glass company. I don’t think is appropriate to say it is free. It still is a cost to the insurance companies as the shop where it is repaired has to file a claim which is paid by the insurance company at no cost to the client. We would have many customers coming in and telling me that it’s free and don’t understand why we need to get a claim for it.
    Also, private insurance companies have been offering repairs included in your comprehensive coverage for awhile. One stipulation is the amount of chips on the w/s(usually more that 3 and they won’t pay for them and suggest to you to replace your w/s and pay your deductible)
    Also if it is your line of vision and is seen as a distraction chances are you won’t get the “free” chip repair either. Also, if you want to replace your w/s and pay your deductible, instead of just doing the repair, you probably won’t have that option if they feel that the w/s would be fine with a repair only instead of a replacement, based on the pictures you would have to send in to ICBC.

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