Having a chipped or cracked windscreen can be anything from a minor nuisance to a big repair bill, depending on how and when you deal with it. 

In this article, I’ll explain what you need to know about windscreen cracks and chips, and how best to deal with them. 

Technically yes you can drive with a cracked windscreen. Whilst the windscreen being cracked will not hinder the function of the vehicle, it could affect your ability to drive safely. 

If the crack is at all obscuring the view of the driver, this can be considered “use of a motor vehicle in a dangerous condition” by a police officer, an offence that comes with 3 penalty points and a fine. 

If the crack is on the passenger side then only use the car for essential travel, but essentially, I would always recommend replacing a cracked windscreen as soon as possible, if

Is it Illegal to Drive With a Broken Windscreen?

The act of driving with a broken windscreen is not specifically illegal, but you could be committing an offence if the damage is affecting your ability to safely drive. 

This could be from something as small as a minor chip if it’s directly in your eye-line.

The MOT rules are quite clear on windscreens, there are two main distinctions, chips vs cracks and the area in which the damage is in.

A crack or chip in the driver's view larger than 10mm is classified as an MOT fail

Any crack larger than 40mm (about the width of a credit card) anywhere on the windscreen will be an MOT fail.

It depends on the chip or crack. Unlike bodywork, glass is not easily repaired, but some damage can be fixed without needing a new windscreen.

Small chips - under 25mm - can usually be repaired, a chip classified as smaller than or approximately the size of a £2 coin. The repair consists of an epoxy resin being injected into the chip, filling it to be flush with the surface.

The chip will also need to be away from the outside edge, at least 7 cm in most cases. The excess is removed and the chip will be practically invisible once completed.

For a windscreen crack to be repairable, it needs to meet a few strict requirements; generally, these are to be at least 7 cm from an edge and less than 4 cm in size. However, in most cases, cracks will not be fixed by most repair companies.

How Much Does it Cost to Repair A Windscreen?

Windscreens are generally quite expensive components to replace, with many modern cars involving active safety cameras and sensors too. If your windscreen has a chip, make sure to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid higher costs. 

How Much Does A WindscreenChip Repair Cost?

Small chips in your windscreen can be repaired for as little as £40

This will generally be per chip so if you have more than one make sure to factor this in. Chip repairs take around 30 minutes.

You can sometimes see companies offering free chip repair, often in supermarket car parks. 

Usually, these claim the cost from your insurer, so make sure to double-check your policy details before approaching one.

How Much Does Windscreen Replacement Cost?

If your windscreen has a large chip in it, or a crack over 40mm, you’ll need to have it replaced, 

, depending on the car and the features it has (auto-braking and rain sensors can make the job more complex).

As detailed below, you can have your windscreen replaced much cheaper through your insurance, usually, the 

windscreen excess will be around £100 - £130.

It’s actually fairly commonplace for comprehensive policies to cover windscreen replacements, and what’s more, it generally doesn’t affect your no-claims policy.

To have your windscreen replacement covered by your insurance policy, check your policy documents for information on how to claim. This will also detail the windscreen excess you’ll have to pay.

How Much Does a Replacement Windscreen Cost Through Insurance?

Like most costs in motoring, the standard excess cost has risen over the last few years, 

you can generally expect to pay £100 - £150 for windscreen excess from most insurers.

However, this cost is assuming you’re happy to use the insurers nominated provided, to use an unapproved supplier you may find yourself having to pay significantly more. 

Can You Prevent a Chipped Windscreen From Spreading?

Cracks do tend to grow over time, made worse by heat/cold cycles and vibration/impact from driving.

That said, chips can also turn into cracks if left too long, so it’s important to get any chips repaired as soon as possible, ideally with the car having as little use beforehand as possible.

Unfortunately, it’s near enough impossible to avoid the stone impacts that most often cause windscreen chips and cracks.

If your car is presenting large repair bills, 

 offers a zero-interest option to spread out car payments, from bodywork damage to large mechanical work. Choose from one of our many 

Cracked Windscreens: Is It Safe To Drive, Can You Repair Them & And How Much To Fix

Risse in der Windschutzscheibe: Darf man damit fahren, kann man sie reparieren und wie viel kostet die Reparatur?

Engine failure is one of the most costly issues any driver can face, often resulting in bills higher than the value of the car itself. If you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you may be wondering if your car insurance will cover the bill, we explain all in this blog.

If the engine failure is due to age, mileage or poor servicing, your car insurance will not cover the repair costs, this is regardless of the level of cover you have. 

The only instance your insurance might pay to repair a blown engine is if it was the result of a crash, fire or attempted theft.

Will Third Party Insurance Cover Engine Failure?

Regardless of cause, third party insurance will not cover engine failure, that’s because it only covers the other party’s vehicle, but not your own.

Will Third Party Fire and Theft Cover Engine Failure?

TPFT includes cover for your own vehicle in cases of theft or fire damage, so in theory should cover engine failure from either of these events, for a definitive answer contact your insurer.

As theft attempts usually amount to a broken window or damaged ignition barrel, rather than engine failure, many insurers would need strong evidence before they’d pay to replace an engine on this basis. 

Will Comprehensive Insurance Cover Engine Failure?

As comprehensive cover includes damage to your own car, if the engine failure is caused by an accident, the insurer should foot the bill to repair or reimburse you for the costs.

If caused by any other eventuality, it’s unlikely to be covered, read on for more details.

If the engine failure is the result of an accident, and you have comprehensive cover, the insurer is likely to cover the repair or replacement of your car. 

However, unless your car is particularly valuable, most engine replacements bills will deem the car “uneconomical to repair” meaning the car will be declared a write off instead of receiving a new engine.

When Insurance Will Not Cover Engine Failure

Even with the correct maintenance schedule and servicing, an engine can still fail, unfortunately 

insurance policies don’t cover for mechanical failure due to wear and tear.

Manufacturers or after sales warranties are typically used to cover these kinds of damages

Modern engines are finely tuned devices, with many moving parts. They need lubrication via the correct oil, changed at the 

, and effective cooling via their cooling system. 

If either of these are ignored, forgotten or overlooked, the engine may well suffer and fail prematurely.

Ultimately, insurance does not cover against lack of maintenance, 

even warranty companies will need to see evidence of manufacturer-recommended servicing before paying out for such a failure. 

Many cars are scrapped due to faults other than engine failure, such as rust, bodywork damage or simply old age. Even so, helping to prevent your engine from falling prematurely is relatively simple.

 for a reason, oils break down under normal conditions, and lose their lubricating properties. Most cars require an oil change at least every 15,000 miles, some even less. 

Check your service intervals in your manual, and ensure they are not extended. Unless you do mega mileage, I would recommend servicing your car once per year, this way it’s easy to remember and budget for.

As well as changing your oil on time, using the 

 is vital. There are many different types of engine oil, and the manufacturer will generally put this in the service manual, too. 

Alongside the correct oil, the oil filter should be of OEM quality, ensuring the oil is not transporting debris and contaminants around the engine. 

Engines typically operate at around 100 degrees celsius, any cooler and they won’t be operating efficiently, hotter and you run the risk of warping parts or otherwise damaging the engine permanently.

Most cars come with a temperature gauge, check that the needle rises steadily from zero to the mid position after 5-15 minutes of driving, and doesn’t falter up or down during normal driving. If it does, have a mechanic check the cooling system urgently.

How to Claim For Engine Failure on Insurance

Insurers are famously good at negotiating out of paying for car repairs, so an expensive engine repair bill needs to be accompanied with good evidence in order to make a successful claim. 

Use Bumper for your Engine Replacement or Repair

If your engine has failed due to old age or a manufacturing issue, but the car still has life left in it, 

 can help with 0% finance. Offering zero-interest finance, a costly engine replacement can be split into manageable chunks. To get started, find your 

Does Car Insurance Cover Engine Failure?

Congratulations to Snows Vauxhall and Citroen Basingstoke for becoming the latest Bumper partner to be crowned Dealership of the Month. 

The site uses Bumper’s PayLater product to split aftersales customers’ bills into interest-free monthly payments. Increased payment flexibility at the checkout leads to a higher number of drivers taking recommended repair work. 

Since taking a proactive approach to offering PayLater, the site has seen a huge 36% increase in their red work conversion. 

Excellent customer service and digitalisation is at the heart of everything this site does with PayLaters processed on-site by the service team and through Bumper’s CitNOW integration. 

Ewan Greening works on the service team at Bumper. He said, ‘Having Bumper as a payment option has honestly eased any sort of painful phone call when a customer needs a big repair. 

‘When customers come in for a small job, such as an MOT, they don’t necessarily expect to spend a lot of money. 

‘But when their MOT fails and they need a lot of work doing, having Bumper as an option just makes it all little bit easier’. 

Mutual Snows and Bumper customers praised the flexible instalment option and the team’s excellent customer service. 

‘I had my Vauxhall Astra in for an MOT and service at Snows Basingstoke today, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. The service was absolutely fabulous - professional, efficient, and friendly from start to finish’, said one customer. 

Another driver commented, ‘Very quick, simple, uncomplicated form and process, I was delighted to find such a great service. Thank you Bumper, you’re awesome.’ 

Congratulations to Tony Wilson, Ewan Greening, Alexanda Locke, Emma Edmunds, and the whole team at Snows Vauxhall and Citroen Basingstoke.

Snows Vauxhall & Citroen Basingstoke earns Dealership of the Month title 

Every year we have to pay for insurance to legally drive our cars on the road, but what do we actually get for our money? Insurance pays out if we have a crash, but does it also cover repairs caused by wear and tear? We explain it all.

Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car through an accident (regardless of fault or how many parties are involved), theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters (such as floods or hail). It does not cover any part that failed due to age or normal usage.

If you only have third-party fire & theft, then your car repairs will not be covered in the event of a crash, it only covers damage or loss due to fire or theft, and any other cars involved (third parties).

How Do Car Insurance Companies Decide on Repairs?

After a road traffic collision, the insurer will either send an investigator or take your car away to be evaluated. The insurer will consider the level of damage, the age of the car and the mileage on the car, as to whether they consider it a write-off or not. 

Does it Matter Who's at Fault in an Insurance Claim?

Regardless of who’s at fault, if you have comprehensive cover, you will be compensated for your car and the costs of personal injuries. The fault only determines who's insurer ultimately pays for the repairs.

Not all insurance policies are equal, when buying you can select the level of coverage you need, there are three types of policies to pick from:

This is the minimum level of cover required by law to drive on the road in the UK. It covers any third parties in the event of a crash. This is used to cover costs for someone else’s vehicle or property, it also covers injuries to other people; both in other cars or your passengers. 

Third-party insurance does not cover your vehicle, or injury to yourself in any way. 

Third-party insurance is not commonly available, most insurers offer one of the other two cover levels explained below.

Third-Party Fire and Theft Insurance Cover

In addition to everything on a third-party-only policy; other people’s cars, property or personal injury, TPFT insurance, as it is commonly known covers your car in the event of theft or fire damage. 

This level of cover does not include damage to your car from an accident, nor personal injury sustained to you (the driver).

The highest level of cover, comprehensive cover includes everything from both third party and TPFT, plus damage to your own car, too. Regardless of fault, comprehensive cover will replace or reimburse you for damage to your vehicle, from a small scratch to a complete write-off. 

Comprehensive cover also includes accidental damage, such as scratches obtained whilst parking, or dinging your door on a wall.

Insurers will not cover any damage or injury, regardless of the level of cover, for a number of reasons, these can include:

 You caused an accident - this could be through moving from your lane on a roundabout, pulling out on a car at a junction, or colliding with a slower car in front whilst in traffic.

 If you are deemed to be at fault, your comprehensive insurance will cover the repairs to both vehicles and any personal injuries caused. 

 Any third parties will claim through your insurance to recoup the costs of the incident, including car repair, hire of a car in the interim, and any personal injury claims.

Example 2: An accident where both parties are at fault - 50/50 split liability claim

 Another car is reversing out of a parking space, and you collide with them. Both parties could have prevented the accident. It is decided between the insurers that liability is to be split 50/50.

 Your car and any injuries to persons in it (including you) will be covered fully, with 50% coming from your insurer and 50% from the third party.

50% of the costs of the accident to your car and persons will be covered from the other party’s insurance, and your insurance will cover 50% of the third party’s costs, but none of yours.

If your insurance isn’t covering the cost of repairs, or your car needs maintenance or mechanical work, using Bumper’s zero-interest repair finance is a great way to spread the cost over many months. Find your nearest Bumper 

Does Car Insurance Cover Repairs?

Tyre Tread depth is one of the most important things to check on your car, it can be the difference between having a safe car that can brake and steer in wet weather, and a dangerous one.

This blog will focus on what the term “tread depth” means, how it’s measured and how it can affect the safety of your car.

Tyre tread is the grooved surface that runs around the perimeter of the tyre, its purpose is to disperse water as the wheel rolls along the road. 

Not having tread would mean the tyres would struggle to get traction, and braking and steering would be extremely difficult, especially in wet conditions. The risk of understeer and aquaplaning would be significantly increased.

As the tyres do their job, the forces from accelerating, steering and braking wear away the outer layer of rubber. As the grooves that create the tread are only around 1 cm deep, at some point the tread will be worn away completely, leaving a smooth surface. 

The remaining depth of these grooves is referred to as the Tyre Tread Depth, and there is a legal limit at which the tyres must be changed.

Keeping track of the wear level of your tyres is something every driver should know how to do. Not only is it dangerous to drive on worn out tyres, but it can land you with some pretty hefty fines too. There are a few ways to check tyre tread depth:

If your tyre tread is deeper than the border, you don’t need to replace your tyres yet. If the edge of the border is visible, your tread depth is below 3mm and should be replaced soon.

Tread depth gauges are readily available from car accessory retailers and even most petrol stations or supermarkets. They are basically a small sliding ruler, with an arrow that allows an accurate measurement to be taken. 

Follow the instructions for your particular depth gauge, again measuring each tyre in at least two places, and all tyres on the car - even the spare if you have one.

As well as the two methods above, a quick and simple method is to check the tyre’s wear indicators or wear bars.

Look for a bar inside the tread grooves, that runs across the width of the tyre. If this bar is level or flush with the outermost tread surface, your tyres need to be replaced. 

 Many tyre brands have a small mark on the sidewall showing where the wear bars are, Michelin has a little Michelin Man symbol, and other brands such as Continental have the letters TWI in line with the bars. 

Tyres with less than 1.6mm of tread are illegal and should be replaced. The general guidance is to replace tyres when they have less than 3mm of tread - this is where the 20p coin trick comes in handy.

Driving with tyres worn below the legal limit can result in a fine of up to £2,500, and 3 penalty points, per tyre! That along with the reduced control and braking distance, means keeping on track of your tyre wear is by far the most cost-effective solution.

Why Do You Have To Check Tyre Tread Depth?

We’ve discussed what tyre tread is, and how to check it, but why should you regularly check your tyres?

As we’ve touched upon, the link between tyre tread depth and vehicle safety is significant. Tyres need to be able to disperse standing water from puddles, rain or poor road conditions. If they can't, the grip is easily lost.

This can be catastrophic if you need to brake or turn whilst driving on wet roads, worn tyres also make aquaplaning much more likely - this is when your car rides over the surface of standing water rather than pushing it aside, resulting in a total loss of control.

Cost Implications of Not Monitoring Your Tyre Tread Depth

Aside from reducing the likelihood of having an accident, there are other areas where checking your tyres can save you money.

Like any maintenance on your car, being able to plan it in advance can allow you to shop around, finding deals or better places to buy from. Needing tyres urgently is a good way to end up paying a premium for them.

, we’ve partnered with hundreds of tyre garages across the UK, allowing you to spread out the cost.

Further to that, If you’re caught driving on the road on tyres below the legal limit you may well face a significant penalty of up to £2,500 per tyre, as well as an increase to your insurance premiums in future years.

What Is The UK's Legal Tread Depth?

In today’s competitive automotive market, value-added products (VAPs) offer car dealers a fantastic opportunity to enhance the ownership experience. 

From extended warranties, insurance products and paint protection to stylish accessories and interior upgrades, these products do more than just add to the sale—they provide customers with peace of mind, comfort, and a sense of pride in their purchase. 

In many cases, they can positively impact the residual value of the customer’s vehicle. 

To truly make the most of this potential, dealers need to adopt a thoughtful and strategic approach to their VAP offerings. 

Having worked with various dealership groups and OEMs across the UK and Europe, I’ve identified some essential principles for a successful VAP strategy. 

This guide explores the importance of focusing on value, investing in staff training, ensuring inclusivity, maintaining clear communication, and offering flexible payment options. Together, these elements create a solid foundation for VAP success. 

A trusted Bumper partner recently demonstrated these points to deliver a significant increase in their product performance. They saw the average profit per unit increase by £87. Following these steps could have a significant impact on your business’s overall profitability. 

The first step in developing an effective VAP strategy is to remember that sometimes, less is more. A wide array of products can be overwhelming for customers, leading to confusion and indecision. 

Instead, dealers should concentrate on a select few offerings that genuinely enhance the customer experience and provide real benefits. It’s about identifying those key products that resonate with buyers and add meaningful value. 

Your sales team plays a crucial role in promoting value-added products. If they don’t believe in the benefits these products provide, customers won’t either. Regular training sessions should go beyond the features of VAPs and focus on their value propositions. When staff understand how these products can improve the customer’s experience, they’re better equipped to engage with buyers and foster trust. 

Every customer should have the opportunity to explore products that meet their specific needs and requirements. It’s essential to avoid making assumptions about who might be interested in what. 

By adopting a culture of inclusivity and compliance, dealers can ensure that all products are presented consistently and fairly. Digital tools can help streamline this process, providing tailored recommendations while reducing the chance of human error. 

It’s all too easy to make assumptions about people. However, this can lead to missed opportunities. Training your team to approach every customer without bias creates an environment where individuals feel valued and informed. Empowering customers with knowledge allows them to make decisions that suit their needs, helping them recognise the true value of VAPs. 

Clear and consistent communication is vital for building trust with customers. Inconsistent messaging at various stages of the customer journey can erode confidence and lower conversion rates. Regularly reviewing all customer touchpoints—from initial inquiries to post-sale follow-ups—ensures a uniform brand voice that highlights the value of VAPs across different platforms, whether in person or online.

How products are paid for can greatly influence a customer’s decision. Providing various payment methods, including split payments and flexible financing options, can significantly boost conversion rates. 

By accommodating different customer preferences—such as credit cards, digital wallets, or payment plans—dealers can make the purchasing process more accessible. This flexibility not only drives VAP sales but also encourages long-term customer loyalty. 

Successfully selling value-added products involves more than just offering a range of options. It requires a customer-centric approach that communicates value, empowers staff, prioritises compliance, and simplifies payment processes. 

By focusing on these key principles, dealerships can enhance their VAP sales while building lasting relationships with their customers—essential in an industry facing constant change. The potential for growth is significant, and it all begins with a commitment to value, understanding, and connection.

Jack Allman is the Co-Founder and CCO of Bumper, a digital payments provider built specifically for the automotive industry. Jack has over 10 years of experience working with some of Europe’s top dealership groups and OEMs, helping them to optimise their sales funnels with flexible payment options.

6 Steps to unlock the potential of value-added products with Bumper’s Jack Allman 

If you’re anything like most drivers, as soon as you pass your test everything you learnt goes straight out the window.

At least that’s what a recent survey asking drivers what common road signs meant has revealed.

The shocking survey results showed just how many drivers have no idea when it comes to road signs, with many not being able to identify the simplest ones.

With so many not knowing what the meaning of these common signs are, you wouldn’t be blamed for not wanting to get back out on the road any time soon.

This simple sign was particularly troublesome for survey respondents with a massive 62% unable to identify it.

The white rectangle on a red circle is in fact the no entry sign. You may see this sign when you’re driving around town. This sign is telling you no vehicular traffic can enter an area.

A slightly more forgivable one next on the list here. This red cross on a blue background means no stopping at any time. 42% of respondents didn’t know what this meant and with so many rules and signs around stopping and parking, we’re not too sure we can blame them.

3. Single diagonal line on a blue background

Perhaps responsible for the confusion over the no stopping sign, this red and blue symbol looks very similar. It also has a similar meaning – no waiting. 

You can stop on the road briefly, for example to drop off or pick up a passenger, but you cannot linger there.

Now we certainly think there are a few drivers who don’t know what this sign means.

The white number on a blue background is there to tell you the minimum speed you should be driving. 

A shocking 70% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of this sign. So that’s the reason for those slow drivers in front of me on a Monday morning!

Hmm. It must be something to do with a bus. Right? 

It may seem obvious but a shocking 79% of respondents didn’t know that this sign was a ‘with flow bus and cycle lane’. 

Simply put, this is a lane buses and bikes use, and it goes in the same direction as the other traffic.

6. Bus behind a dashed line on a blue background

Similar to the previous example, this sign is also to do with bus lanes. Unbelievably, 72% were unable to identify this meant a ‘with flow bus lane’ was ahead. 

Sometimes these signs are accompanied by a time when the bus lane is active (usually during rush hour) so make sure to check to avoid any fines!

Those of you who like to take your push bikes out for a spin should recognise this one. 

This white bike on a blue background simply means a recommended route for pedal cycles on a road. 

Make sure to keep an eye out for any unaware drivers on your next cycle, however, as 57% didn’t know what this sign indicated.

8. White arrow pointing left on a blue background

This white arrow on a blue background simply means turn left. Signs in blue circles always indicate you must do something. This sign with an arrow is clearly telling you to turn left.

54% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of this sign.

9. White arrow pointing towards the bottom left on a blue circle

This sign looks pretty similar to our last one, so you couldn’t be blamed for thinking they have similar meanings – and they do!

This sign is telling us to keep left and is often used on roundabouts, road work signs, and at the start of dual carriage ways.

41% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of the keep left sign.

This one is an incredibly important sign to look out for. Scarily, 43% of respondents didn’t know that this sign meant they were approaching a level crossing without a barrier. 

Make sure to look out for these, particularly in rural areas.

So there you have it, 10 common road signs that drivers don’t know the meaning of. Make sure to look out for some of these on your next journey. 

Plus, keep an eye out for the 54% of drivers who didn’t know the turn left sign meant ‘turn left’!

People don’t know what these common road signs mean 

With modern cars being safer than ever, some buyers tend to overlook the safety ratings, but you may be surprised to know that not all cars meet the highest safety standards as assessed by the Euro NCAP organisation. 

In fact, there are some cars released very recently that have fallen short, with some very poor ratings. In this blog, then we’ll take a look at which cars on sale today are the safest, ranging from family hatchbacks to SUVs.

BYD Seal - £42,985 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

A new player in the market, BYD are making some of the most innovative, and safe, electric vehicles. The new SUV; the Seal is no exception. It received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating, with great accident ratings.

 comes with emergency braking assist that registers not only pedestrians and other cars, but motorbikes and vulnerable road users. It also comes equipped with side, chest and pelvis airbags for front passengers. 

Volkswagen Golf - £27,035 - Euro NCAP Rating: 5*

 has been a common sight on UK roads for the 50 years it’s been in production, and for good reason. As well as being just the right amount of car for a small to medium-sized family, the Golf has great safety features and ratings.

Alastair Shephard

Content Writer