Car insurance in South Africa often feels like one of those things you pay for and then hope you’ll never need. Yet, anyone who’s driven on our roads knows that “hope” doesn’t always match reality. Potholes, unpredictable weather, the occasional loose stone flung up by a taxi’s tyres, or even just a clumsy parking incident—these things don’t wait for payday. And while big accidents usually come to mind when thinking about insurance, sometimes it’s the smaller, irritating mishaps—like a chipped windscreen or a smashed side window—that catch you off guard.
That’s where MiWay’s Window and Glass Add-On comes in. On paper, it promises to cover the exact kind of day-ruining damage most of us don’t even factor into our budgets. But is it really worth adding on to your policy? Or is it one of those “extras” that sound good in theory but may not give you enough bang for your buck? Let’s unpack it, with a bit of lived experience and a healthy dose of skepticism.
The Unromantic Reality of Windscreens and Windows
A few years ago, I had my first real brush with windscreen drama. I was driving back from a weekend trip in the Drakensberg when a truck ahead of me kicked up what looked like a pebble but felt like a boulder when it smacked the middle of my windscreen. At first it was just a tiny crack. Nothing dramatic. By the time I got home, though, the crack had stretched into something that looked like lightning across the glass. And the replacement? Let’s just say my bank balance wasn’t impressed.
That experience made me realize just how vulnerable car glass is. Unlike body panels that usually only get damaged in bigger accidents, windows and windscreens face daily threats—gravel roads, debris, hail, and yes, even opportunistic smash-and-grab incidents in certain parts of Johannesburg or Cape Town.
The costs aren’t small either. A standard windscreen replacement on a popular hatchback might set you back between R2,500 and R5,000. Luxury vehicles? Try upwards of R15,000, especially if there are sensors or cameras built into the glass. And that’s not even counting side or rear windows, which can also add up.
So, MiWay isn’t wrong in identifying that glass protection is more than just a “nice to have.” For many, it could mean the difference between an annoying inconvenience and a financial headache.
What MiWay’s Add-On Actually Promises
The Window and Glass Add-On is pretty straightforward in its premise: it covers repair or replacement costs for windscreens, side windows, and rear windows if they’re damaged. Depending on your level of cover, it usually applies whether the glass is chipped, cracked, or completely shattered.
The finer print matters, though. In most cases:
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Chip repair is often fully covered, sometimes even without affecting your no-claims bonus.
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Full replacement may still require you to pay an excess, unless you’ve chosen a zero-excess option (which usually means a higher monthly premium).
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Sunroofs, panoramic glass, and mirrors aren’t always included—something many people miss until it’s too late.
The convenience factor is undeniable. Instead of frantically googling “windscreen replacement near me” while juggling quotes and trying to find a trustworthy workshop, MiWay tends to partner with approved glass specialists. You make the call, they handle the logistics.
Sounds neat, right? But here’s where the “worth it?” question comes in.
Crunching the Numbers
Insurance is, at its core, a gamble. You pay a little each month so that you don’t pay a lot later. The tricky part is knowing whether the odds are in your favor.
Let’s say MiWay’s glass add-on costs you R60 to R120 extra per month. Over a year, that’s between R720 and R1,440. Now compare that with the average cost of repairing a chip (R400–R900) or replacing a full windscreen (R3,000–R8,000, depending on the car).
If you go years without damage, you’re basically paying for peace of mind. Some would call that wasted money. Others would call it a smart buffer. I once went five years without a single glass issue, and during that time, an add-on like this would’ve cost me close to R6,000 without a single claim. But then, on another car, I had two separate windscreen replacements in less than 18 months thanks to regular highway driving. Without glass cover, that would’ve been more than R10,000 out of pocket.
So, is it worth it? Well, it really depends on your driving habits, the car you drive, and how risk-averse you are.
Who Actually Benefits the Most
Not everyone needs this add-on equally. In fact, there are certain types of drivers for whom it makes a lot more sense:
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Highway commuters: If you spend hours each week driving on the N1, N12, or any busy freeway where trucks scatter loose stones like confetti, your chances of chips and cracks are much higher.
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Owners of newer or luxury cars: Modern windscreens often come with rain sensors, lane-assist cameras, or heads-up display tech embedded in them. Replacing that isn’t just a glass job—it’s a recalibration job. And it’s pricey.
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Urban drivers in high-crime areas: Smash-and-grabs aren’t as rampant as they once were, but they still happen. Replacing a shattered side window on short notice can burn through your budget quickly.
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Anyone who hates surprise expenses: If you’re the type who budgets tightly and doesn’t like random costs cropping up, this add-on can smooth things out.
On the flip side, someone who drives an older, modest car and doesn’t rack up thousands of kilometers on rough roads may find the add-on less compelling. Sometimes, paying out-of-pocket for the occasional chip fix is cheaper than years of monthly premiums.
The Hidden Downsides Nobody Talks About
Like most insurance extras, the window and glass add-on isn’t a magic bullet. There are a few things that might catch you off guard:
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Excess Fees Still Apply
Some policyholders assume glass cover means zero cost at claim time. Not always. Unless you’ve explicitly chosen the zero-excess option, you could still be paying a chunk of the replacement bill. -
Impact on No-Claims Bonus
Depending on MiWay’s terms, certain glass claims could affect your no-claims bonus. That small chip repair might save you a few hundred rand now but cost you a bigger bonus discount later. -
Exclusions Can Sting
Those fancy panoramic roofs? They often aren’t covered. Neither are wing mirrors in some cases. Always check the policy wording—what you think is “glass” might not count. -
Cost Creep Over Time
That extra R80 a month may not sound like much now, but if you’re already paying a chunky premium, add-ons can quickly snowball into something bigger than you intended.
My Personal Take
Here’s the honest truth: I’m a sucker for peace of mind. After that Drakensberg incident, I became paranoid every time I heard a faint “tick” on the windscreen while driving behind trucks. I eventually added glass cover to my policy, and yes, I’ve used it more than once since. The relief of phoning my insurer instead of my bank account when a crack spread across my glass was worth the monthly fee for me.
But I also get why some people see it as an unnecessary extra. A friend of mine, who drives a beat-up Corolla from the early 2000s, laughs at the idea of paying for this cover. If his windscreen cracks, he gets it replaced cheaply at a local workshop without needing insurance. For him, it’s not worth it. For me, with a car that has more sensors than I can pronounce, it is.
So, Is It Worth the Cost?
Here’s the balanced take:
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If you’re driving a newer, higher-value car or doing lots of highway mileage, MiWay’s Window and Glass Add-On is probably a smart choice. It shields you from expensive surprises.
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If you drive an older or less valuable vehicle, the add-on may not be financially justified. Paying cash for the rare chip or crack could be cheaper over the long run.
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For everyone else, it really comes down to your appetite for risk versus your appetite for monthly premiums.
At the end of the day, insurance is always a bit of a “what if?” game. You’re not paying for guaranteed value—you’re paying for the safety net. Some people like the comfort of that net. Others are happy to take their chances without it.
And maybe that’s the real takeaway here: MiWay’s glass cover isn’t about whether it’s universally “worth it.” It’s about whether it’s worth it for you.