What is window glazing insurance?

Window glazing protection, in the context of home insurance, relates to having insurance cover to protect you against damage to the windows in your home, from unforeseen events. This should protect your double glazed windows against damage resulting from unforeseen natural disasters, like extreme winds or storm damage. In addition, unexpected accidents caused by humans may also be covered. For example, damage caused by an out of control vehicle crashing into your home or outbuildings damaging your windows.

What level of window glazing protection is offered by home insurance policies?

The key to whether or not your insurance covers window glazing depends on whether it occurs due to factors outside your control. If a window breaks because of negligent behaviour, it will not be covered. What constitutes negligent behaviour in home insurance terms, means that if you, the householder had undertaken reasonable measures to protect your property, the damage would not have occurred. For example, if your window breaks because of a shrub or tree branch falling against it, this may be deemed negligent, if the insurer can prove that the shrub or tree was planted too close to the house in the first place.

Similarly, if damage to your single window glazing or double glazed windows is a result of poor house maintenance then the damage is unlikely to be covered. For example, if you have misty windows damage that is a result of poor window seal maintenance of your double glazed windows, this will not be covered, even if the water seepage is caused by frozen water between the seals melting.

How much does a window replacement cost?

The cost of window replacement varies, according to the size of the window, the type of glass and whether you call out emergency glaziers. If you have an excess on your policy, you may find that the cost of some window replacement is taken up by the excess, which means you pay the first agreed amount before any claim is honoured.

Double glazed window replacement is usually more expensive than replacing single-window glazing. Replacement double glazing and replacement UPVC windows are usually built as sealed units, and so the whole unit needs to be replaced, not just the damaged piece of glass. Double glazed windows have double thickness glazing, so the cost of the glass is likely to be more costly than single window glazing replacement.

When is window glazing damage covered?

Window glazing damage is normally only covered by home insurance, where the damage results from an event that is unforeseen. One that the householder couldn’t protect against, with regular home maintenance. If the actions of the householder can be seen as negligent, the window glazing damage will not be covered by home insurance.

Window security and how it affects your home insurance

Having <a href=””/energy-advice/home-cover/how-to-secure-your-windows-from-break-ins.html>windows and doors that are secure is usually a requirement of the contents insurance element of your home insurance policy. To be covered against theft, and home invasion, you will usually have to prove your windows and door are fitted with locks. The locks are often required to be key lockable. The type of security lock often has to conform to industry standards and makes and types of locks are usually listed in your policy book and policy schedule.

If your windows are not lockable, you may find that any claim for theft will not be met by your insurers.

How do you ensure that your windows meet the security requirements of your home insurance policy?

Single window glazing is more at risk of being broken, and malicious damage than double glazed windows. It is sensible to try to reduce the amount of single window glazing, in the exterior of your home. Not only for insurance and security reasons, but also that double glazed windows and replacement UPVC windows have better insulation properties, and keep your home warmer, helping to reduce your heating bills over time.

UPVC window security

Window locks should be fitted on every opening window. Some insurance policies only require window locks on the ground and lower-ground floors, but fitting them on all floors is the most secure option. These locks should be key lockable.

Sash window security

Sash window security is more specialised. The size of sash windows and their opening mechanism necessitates specialist locks.

Sash windows need to be fitted with appropriate pins and jammers, which will stop the lower sash from being damaged by a would-be intruder. These should not affect the sash’s aesthetic appearance. Specialised jammer locks have keys. which are a visible and a real deterrent. A cheaper jammer without a key lock is also available. This will do the job, but may not meet your home insurance security requirements if they want all window locking devices to be key operated.

Additional window security

Other forms of window security are also effective, but check they conform with your home insurance security requirements.

• Window limiters, prevent the window from being fully opened, these may be operated by a key lock. Whilst they have a security purpose, their main function is safety, stopping windows on higher floors, from opening fully and posing a threat of falling out for vulnerable individuals.
• Window bars and grilles, these are usually made of metal and are an added security on single window glazing and on windows that are not used for looking outside. For example, basements or commercial property storage rooms.
• Extra strengthened glass is also a security feature where direct damage of the window glazing is an issue.
• Window hinge jammers are an additional security feature. These fit over window hinges and prevent them from being jimmied open.

What’s covered in home insurance for window glazing?

Window glazing is usually only covered by your home insurance policy, if damage results as a result of an unpreventable occurrence, like storm damage. Even where storm damage occurs, damage to window glazing will only be covered, provided the underlying cause of the damage is not negligence or poor home maintenance.

Windows security is an important consideration for the theft cover component of your home insurance policy. To be covered for theft and home invasion, your windows will need to be key lockable.