Advice brokers can give clients on summer car care

During the peak four-week Christmas period, projectile stone-damaged windscreens and windows are the most common car insurance claims for AA Insurance.

According to the firm, it has handled nearly 2,500 claims related to damaged windscreens and glass totaling around $900,000 from mid-December to mid-January. Almost a quarter of all these claims were for Toyotas (23%), followed by Nissans (12%), Mazdas (11%), and Mitsubishis and Hondas (8% each).

“One unfortunate customer received two windscreen cracks during the same road trip – the first from an oncoming vehicle that flicked up a stone, the second from a misdirected pūkeko,” AA Insurance customer relations manager Amelia Macandrew said.

“In the summer months, we see up to 20% more windscreen repairs and replacements than our yearly average, and 30% more than in winter.

“Given the increased number of people on roads over summer, these numbers make complete sense.”

In the case of AA Insurance, Macandrew said it insures more Nissans than any other make of car, followed by Toyotas, making the figures interesting on their end. However, she said, no matter what type of car a customer has, it can be frustrating when this kind of damage happens.

The firm outlined its top tips that brokers can give clients for summer windscreen care. These include:

• If your windscreen has any chips, get them repaired immediately.
• Vibrations caused by driving, hitting a pothole or even slamming your car doors will encourage a chip to expand, so take care and go easy.
• If there’s more of a crack than a chip in your windscreen, you’ll need it replaced for your own driving safety. Talk to your insurer as this may be covered under your policy.
• If there’s any rust on the surround of your windscreen or it’s looking worn or cracked, this may weaken its integrity or prevent it from remaining watertight, so get it repaired or replaced.
• If you notice arc-shaped scratches on the glass, then consider cleaning or replacing your windscreen wipers. Don't forget the rear wiper as well.
• For maximum visibility, clean your windscreen and windows, inside and out, with the right fluid like water and vinegar, or a special car window cleaner. Avoid ammonia-based household window cleaners, especially if your windows are tinted.

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