Motorists who have experienced the misfortune of having their windshield damaged by wayward rocks and other objects know these incidents can ruin an ordinary drive.

To make matters worse, those unsuspecting drivers must then deal with the hassle of repairing the damage, whether it’s a small chip or a massive crack.

It’s a situation nobody wants to find themselves in, but there is good news.

If you have Other Than Collision coverage—also known as comprehensive—on your auto insurance policy, the included glass coverage will help cover the costs to repair a damaged windshield.

Depending on your policy’s deductible, those repairs could be free.

Virginia Farm Bureau auto insurance policyholders may choose any repair shop to do the work, but they should first make sure the business accepts their insurance.

Otherwise, default repair services on glass claims are provided by Safelite AutoGlass®, a leading industry provider of vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration services.

Through Safelite, customers can choose in-shop service where repairs and replacements can be completed in as little as 30 minutes to an hour.

Safelite also provides mobile services, offering customers the convenience of scheduling a time for a technician to come to their home, workplace or any other location.

“When your vehicle sustains minor windshield damage, drivers should schedule repair service quickly,” said Jon Cardi, senior vice president of Safelite Solutions, an insurance administrative division of Safelite.

“Our technicians have a higher likelihood of saving the windshield with an environmentally friendly repair instead of a full replacement if the damage is addressed early. This cost-efficient and effective process eliminates out-of-pocket costs, while driving higher levels of customer satisfaction.”

Cardi noted costs related to windshield replacements continue to increase due to the presence of advanced safety features found in modern vehicles. In many newer models, features such as Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning work with a camera connected to the windshield.

A windshield replacement would require recalibration of these features, thus increasing repair costs.

To avoid a pricey fix, it’s advisable to schedule a repair while chips or cracks are 6 inches or smaller. In most cases, your windshield can be repaired if it has three chips or less, or if the damage has not affected any cameras or sensors.

Policyholders can start a glass claim by calling 800-452-7714 (Have the auto policy number handy), and following the prompts. Customers also may report a claim online at vafb.com.

To inquire about glass coverage on your auto insurance policy, contact your Farm Bureau agent.