After discontinuing the service more than a decade ago, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) formally reintroduced complimentary windshield chip repair services yesterday.
The reinstated service will be offered at no extra charge to drivers with optional comprehensive coverage with the public insurer.
Learn more about auto physical damage insurance here.
Prior to the relaunch of the service, drivers had to pay a $200 deductible for a new windshield, even if the only damage to their car’s main window was a small chip.
ICBC returned the service after it had originally abandoned it in 2001. The insurer explained that recent breakthroughs in glass repair technology have changed its mind on the matter.
Want the latest insurance industry news first? Sign up for our completely free newsletter service now.
“Today, repairs last substantially longer due to improvements and materials used,” the insurer said in a statement.
CBC reported that an ICBC Glass Express facility must handle the windshield repair process so that no deductible will be charged.
According to the insurer, the number of windshield replacement claims since 2010 have climbed 17%; while the costs of windshield repairs since 2010 also surged by nearly 30%. In 2016, almost 110,000 windshield replacement claims were handled by the insurer, with an average replacement cost of $820.
A typical windshield chip repair costs less than $70,
CBC noted.
Related stories:
Vancouver’s potholes could lead to costly claims
Uber must buy special insurance: ICBC
