During the winter months many of New Zealand roads and highways are gritted regularly to provide better traction where the road has a tendency to ice over. These icy black spots are usually well sign posted be not always.
The grit in the form of fine rocks that are spread onto these areas prove to be a major hazard long after the ice has thawed. These small stones are large enough to become projectiles that will crack and chip your vehicle window. Personally I replace one window per winter season and considering that I don’t spend the whole winter in NZ or do a lot of country driving you can see the potential threat.
Although a window chip or crack is not a personal hazard it does however usually result in the vehicle failing the statutory warrant of fitness that all vehicle in New Zealand are required to obtain. For this reason all hire car companies will carefully inspect the front windscreen for any signs of damage that was incurred during the period of hire. If you have received a stone chip or crack then you will be liable for the cost of the replacement.
In a previous post I outlined the potential New Zealand hire car insurance pitfalls and the additional excess damage cover that may or may not cover you against this expense.
Many NZ hire car companies offer an additional window and glass cover. It pays to use a company that you can either purchase insurance that has no excess or purchase a glass coverage.