Car Insurance

Motorists who ignore small chips to their windscreens could end up paying more in the future, warn experts.

Motorists are being advised to repair chips to their windscreens, as many are leaving them for fear of using up their no claims discount on their car insurance.

Privilege, one of the UK's leading car insurance providers, is urging motorists to check their windscreens and repair any small chips as soon as possible. But many drivers are ignoring the damage to their screens, mistakenly believing they will be penalised by their motor insurance company.However, the car insurance firm points out that chips to a window or windscreen smaller than a £1 coin

can be repaired relatively cheaply, but if left alone, the chip will turn into a crack which would require a new windscreen. So, rather than saving money by not claiming on the car insurance, drivers are losing out as they have to pay more as the price of windscreens increases due to the cold winter weather. Ian Parker, managing director of Privilege Insurance commented: "By acting quickly when they notice a chip, motorists can save money as well as ensuring their car is safe. "The longer a small crack or chip is left, the less likely it is to be repairable – and that means paying the excess towards the cost of a replacement.” "Whether windscreen damage can be repaired or requires replacement, no claim discount will not be affected, so there is really no excuse for not acting quickly to get the damage assessed by an expert."