A shattered display window or broken showcase glass stops business immediately — customers can't see your merchandise, your premises are unsecured, and emergency glass replacement is expensive. Plate Glass Insurance covers the cost of replacing broken plate glass in your shop display windows, showcases, glass partitions, and glass doors from any accidental cause, ensuring your business frontage is restored quickly without bearing the full replacement cost.
Miscellaneous Insurance · Display Window Glass · Showcases · Glass Partitions · Shop Fronts · Commercial Establishments
Plate Glass Insurance is an annual policy that covers the cost of replacing plate glass — the large, heavy glass panels used in display windows, shop fronts, showcases, glass partitions, and glass doors of commercial establishments — when it is accidentally broken. The policy covers breakage from any reason whatsoever, except perils specifically excluded (fire, explosion, earthquake, and a few others). It is one of the most broadly worded property insurance products available: you do not need to identify the specific cause of the breakage — only that the glass is broken accidentally.
Covers accidental breakage of insured glass from any cause whatever — impact, thrown object, pressure, thermal shock, or any other accidental event — unless specifically excluded. The broadest possible accident coverage wording.
ANY REASONCovers the large plate glass panels in shop display windows, shopfronts, and commercial building façades — the primary insurance requirement for every retail establishment with glass frontage.
SHOP FRONTCovers glass showcases and display cabinets within commercial establishments — critical for jewellers, watch dealers, electronics retailers, and luxury goods stores with expensive showcase infrastructure.
SHOWCASESExtends beyond just display windows to cover glass partitions between office/retail areas, glass entry doors, glass panels in internal walls, and other fixed glass installations in commercial premises.
PARTITIONSSettles at the cost of making good the breakage — supplying and fitting equivalent replacement glass, including emergency boarding costs while glass is being cut/ordered. No depreciation on glass replacement cost.
REPLACEMENTAnnual policy with a single renewal, very low premium (typically ₹500–₹8,000/year for most retail businesses), and no ongoing conditions or inspections — the simplest business insurance product to manage.
ANNUALCoverage — What Plate Glass Insurance Pays For
The policy covers the cost of making good accidental breakage of the insured glass by any reason whatever, except those specifically excluded. Coverage is straightforward — if the glass is broken and no exclusion applies, the insurer pays for replacement.
The policy pays the full cost of making good the accidental breakage of the insured glass — which includes:
Glass replacement:
• Cost of procuring equivalent replacement glass (same type, thickness, and size as the broken panel)
• Glazier’s labour for cutting, transporting, and fitting the new glass
• Any special glass orders for large or non-standard panel sizes (which may take 2–7 days for cut-to-size delivery from a glass merchant)
Emergency boarding:
• Cost of temporary boarding or hoarding of the broken glass opening while waiting for the replacement glass to be installed — an essential security measure for a broken shop front or display window
• Emergency call-out charges for after-hours glazier attendance (where the policy permits)
Lettering and other decorations:
• If the insured glass bears the business name, logo, or decorative etching/painting that is destroyed when the glass breaks, the cost of reinstating the lettering and decorations on the new glass panel is also covered
Frames — NOT covered:
• The metal or wooden frame holding the glass is specifically excluded from coverage. Only the glass itself (and associated glazing costs) is covered. Frame damage from the same accident requires a separate claim under a fire/property policy.
Because the policy covers "any reason whatever" except specific exclusions, a very wide range of breakage causes are covered. Common real-world plate glass claims include:
• Impact by thrown or projected objects: Stones, bricks, bottles, cricket balls, or any object accidentally thrown or projected against the glass — whether by a child playing, a vehicle kicking up a stone, or any other unintended cause
• Vehicle impact: A vehicle accidentally mounting the pavement and striking a shop window; a bicycle or motorcycle skidding into a glass frontage; a delivery truck misjudging clearance and hitting a display window
• Customer/pedestrian impact: A person accidentally walking into or falling against a glass door or display window; this is one of the most common causes of glass breakage in retail — particularly for tall, clear glass doors that pedestrians fail to see
• Accidental breakage during cleaning or maintenance: The display window glass breaking accidentally during routine cleaning operations — a common cause in retail
• Pressure and thermal shock (in some circumstances): Sudden thermal shock from drastic temperature change (e.g., very hot liquid splashed on cold glass) causing the glass to shatter
• Subsidence or structural movement: Glass breakage caused by building settlement or structural movement distorting the frame and causing the glass to crack and break
• Malicious damage: Deliberate smashing of the shop window by a third party (vandalism) — covered as "accidental breakage" from the insured’s perspective (the insured did not intend or cause it)
While the coverage wording is very broad, the following are clearly outside the policy:
• Frames: Cost of repairing or replacing damaged frames is excluded. If a vehicle impact damages both the glass and the frame, only the glass replacement is covered under this policy.
• Removal and replacement of fittings: If removing or replacing the broken glass requires dismantling shop fittings, display units, or other fixtures (e.g., to access a rear-panel showcase glass), those dismantling and reinstatement costs are excluded.
• Cracked glass: If the glass was already cracked before the insured event, breakage of already-cracked glass is not covered — the policy insures against breakage of sound glass. A survey at inception establishes the condition of the glass.
• Superficial damage only: If the glass is only chipped, scratched, or lightly abraded at the surface without being broken through, that superficial damage is not covered. The glass must be actually broken (fractured through its thickness).
See the Exclusions section for the complete list including fire, explosion, and earthquake.
Types of Glass & Locations Covered — All Fixed Commercial Glass Installations
The policy covers plate glass "fixed to display windows or show cases of commercial establishments" — in practice, this extends to all fixed glass panels that form part of the commercial premises' structure or display infrastructure.
| Glass Type / Location | Description | Typical Cost to Replace | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shop Front / Display Window | Large plate glass panels forming the street-facing display window of retail shops, showrooms, and commercial establishments. The primary insured item under this policy. | ₹15,000 – ₹1.5 Lakh per panel | ✓ Covered |
| Showcases & Display Cabinets | Glass-sided display cases within commercial premises used to display merchandise. Critical for jewellers, watch dealers, electronics stores, and luxury retailers. | ₹10,000 – ₹5 Lakh per showcase | ✓ Covered |
| Glass Entry Doors | Full-glass or glass-panelled entry doors to commercial premises — including frameless glass doors, glass-framed doors, and glass side panels adjacent to doors. | ₹8,000 – ₹75,000 per door | ✓ Covered |
| Glass Partitions | Internal glass walls and partitions dividing office or retail space — including glass between a bank counter and customer area, glass between departments, and floor-to-ceiling glass office partitions. | ₹500 – ₹3,000 per sq ft | ✓ Covered |
| Tempered / Safety Glass | Toughened safety glass used in modern shopfronts and partition systems. More resistant but significantly more expensive to replace than standard float glass — must be specified at inception for correct premium rating. | ₹25,000 – ₹2 Lakh per panel | ✓ Covered (higher rate) |
| Frosted / Etched / Printed Glass | Decorative glass panels with frosting, acid etching, printed graphics, or sandblasting — including glass bearing the business name, logo, or decorative pattern. Lettering on insured glass is covered. | ₹20,000 – ₹3 Lakh | ✓ Covered incl. lettering |
| Mirrors | Large fixed mirrors in commercial premises — salon mirrors, retail fitting room mirrors, restaurant back-wall mirrors, and decorative commercial mirrors. | ₹5,000 – ₹1 Lakh | ✓ Covered (declare separately) |
| Glass Frames / Metal Frames | The supporting frame structure (aluminium, steel, wood) for the glass panels. | Varies | ❌ NOT Covered (excluded) |
The the insurer policy states that premium depends on: type of glass, situation, previous experience, and neighbourhood. In practice this means:
• Type of glass: Standard float glass attracts lower rates than tempered/safety glass (more expensive to replace), frosted/etched/printed glass (special fabrication required), or bent/curved glass (bespoke, very expensive). Mirror glass and stained glass carry higher rates.
• Situation (location of glass): Ground-floor street-facing display windows are higher risk than upper-floor or internal partitions. Exposed corner locations on busy roads carry higher rates than set-back shopfronts.
• Previous experience (claims history): A business with a history of glass breakage claims will pay a higher premium. New businesses with no claims history receive standard rates.
• Neighbourhood: Commercial areas with high foot traffic, proximity to schools (ball impact risk), or high vehicle density carry higher rates than quieter areas. Premises in riot-prone or high-vandalism neighbourhoods also attract loadings.
Indicative premium range: For most small retail businesses with standard float glass panels up to ₹2 lakh total SI, annual premium is typically ₹500–₹3,000 + 18% GST. Larger or specialist glass installations are rated individually.
How to Correctly Value Your Glass Installation
The sum insured represents the cost of replacing all insured glass panels with equivalent glass at current prices. It should be reviewed annually as glass prices and glazier labour costs change.
To determine the correct sum insured:
Step 1 — Measure all glass panels: List every piece of insured glass with dimensions (height × width in mm), thickness (mm), and glass type (float, tempered, frosted, printed, mirrored). A sketch of the shopfront with panel dimensions is ideal.
Step 2 — Get current replacement cost per panel: Contact a local glass merchant or glazier for a current quotation for supply and fitting of each panel size and type. Prices vary significantly by region, glass type, and availability.
Step 3 — Add glazier labour: Include the cost of glazier labour for removing broken glass, preparing the frame, and fitting the new glass — typically ₹500–₹3,000 per panel depending on size and access difficulty.
Step 4 — Add emergency boarding estimate: Include an allowance for emergency boarding costs (typically ₹2,000–₹10,000 per opening depending on size) to cover the gap while replacement glass is being procured.
Step 5 — Include lettering if applicable: If any glass panels carry the business name, logo, or printed graphics, include the cost of reinstating that artwork on the replacement glass.
Total sum insured = sum of all the above for all insured glass panels.
For accurate claims settlement, each significant glass installation should be listed separately in the policy schedule with:
• Location: Which part of the premises (front display window, left side showcase, internal partition between sections, etc.)
• Dimensions: Height and width of the panel
• Glass type: Float, tempered, frosted, printed, mirror, etc.
• Sum insured for each panel (or for groups of similar panels)
For a retail jeweller with multiple showcases, each showcase should be listed individually. For a restaurant with an entire glass frontage, each panel or the complete frontage system should be declared. This listing ensures there is no ambiguity at claim time about which glass was insured and at what value.
For new or recently fitted glass: Use the actual installation invoice as the basis for the sum insured, updated for any price increase since installation. Glass prices change with raw material costs — update annually.
To illustrate the affordability of Plate Glass Insurance:
Example 1 — Small retail shop:
Two display window panels (1.2m × 1.8m float glass) + one glass entry door
Replacement value: ₹60,000 total
Premium at 1.0% rate: ₹600 + 18% GST = ₹708 per year
Example 2 — Medium jewellery showroom:
Front display window (large tempered glass, 3 panels) + 8 glass showcases
Replacement value: ₹4,00,000 total
Premium at 0.8% rate: ₹3,200 + GST = ₹3,776 per year
Example 3 — Corporate office with glass partitions:
Full-floor glass partition system + glass doors
Replacement value: ₹12,00,000 total
Premium at 0.5% rate: ₹6,000 + GST = ₹7,080 per year
Against these premiums, a single large display window claim could easily be ₹50,000–₹1,50,000. The cost-to-protection ratio is exceptional — this is one of the best-value business insurance products available.
Every Commercial Establishment with Fixed Glass Panels
Any commercial establishment with plate glass fixed to display windows, showcases, or partitions has an insurable glass asset. The policy is particularly important where glass replacement is expensive and where a broken window immediately impacts business operations.
How to File a Plate Glass Insurance Claim
Plate glass claims are among the most straightforward insurance claims to file and settle. Prompt notification, good photographs, and a repair estimate are the key requirements.
When your insured glass breaks:
• Safety first: Clear the area around broken glass immediately — plate glass fragments are a serious injury risk. Cordon off the broken glass area and ensure staff and customers are not at risk from sharp edges or falling fragments.
• Photograph before clearing: Take clear photographs of the broken glass from multiple angles before any fragments are cleared or the opening is boarded. This visual evidence establishes the extent of the breakage and the cause (if visible — e.g., impact marks from a thrown object or vehicle).
• Do NOT repair without notification: Notify Probitas (022 4302 0000) before commissioning permanent replacement glass. Emergency boarding to secure the premises is acceptable and should be done immediately — but permanent glass replacement should follow claim notification and, for large claims, surveyor inspection.
• For malicious damage or vandalism: File an FIR with the local police. This is important for documentation and may be required for the claim.
• Notify Probitas: Call 022 4302 0000 or use the quote form below marked “Claim Notification”. Most policies require notification within 7 days of the incident.
Documents required for a plate glass claim:
• Completed claim form from the insurer
• Policy copy and premium receipt
• Photographs of the damage — multiple angles showing the broken glass, the location, and if visible, the cause
• Glazier’s quotation for replacement glass: itemised to show glass cost (size, type, thickness), cutting charges, fitting labour, and any ancillary costs (putty, sealing compound)
• Original installation invoice for the glass (if available) — helps verify the glass type and establishes original cost
• Emergency boarding invoice if boarding was already done — keep receipts for all emergency expenditure
• FIR copy for malicious damage or vandalism claims
• KYC and bank account details for settlement payment
For small claims (typically below ₹25,000): Many insurers settle on the basis of photographs and a glazier quotation without a physical survey — making settlement very fast (often within 7–14 days).
• For larger claims, a surveyor will be appointed to inspect the broken glass before permanent repair. The surveyor confirms the cause of breakage (to ensure no exclusion applies), the glass type and dimensions, and approves the repair estimate.
• Settlement basis: The insurer pays the cost of supplying and fitting equivalent replacement glass (same type, thickness, and size), including glazier labour. No depreciation is applied to the glass replacement cost on most plate glass policies — glass is a consumable that is replaced at full current market price.
• The settlement also covers the lettering or other decorations on the glass, emergency boarding costs, and other reasonable glazing expenses.
• The frame cost is excluded and not paid by the insurer.
• Settlement timeline: Plate glass claims are typically settled within 7–21 days of complete documentation. For clearly covered straightforward breakage, settlement is often faster — these are low-complexity claims that insurers process efficiently.
• Probitas follows up on all pending claims to ensure timely settlement. Call 022 4302 0000 for any assistance.
What Plate Glass Insurance Does NOT Cover
The exclusions list is short but important. Fire and explosion are the most commonly misunderstood — they are excluded here because they are covered (for glass damage) under the standard fire policy. The glass breakage this policy covers is the accidental breakage that the fire policy does NOT cover.
Glass breakage or damage caused by fire or explosion is excluded — this is covered under the standard fire policy as part of the building/contents claim. This policy covers accidental breakage that is NOT related to fire or explosion.
Breakage from earthquakes, tsunami, or other natural earth convulsions is excluded. This reflects the catastrophic and widespread nature of such events — individual glass policies are not the right product for natural disaster perils.
The cost of repairing or replacing the glass frame (aluminium, steel, or wood) is specifically excluded. Only the glass panel itself is covered, not its supporting structure.
If removing or replacing the broken glass requires dismantling shop fittings, display equipment, or other fixtures, those costs are excluded. Only the glazing cost itself (glass + fitting) is covered.
If the glass was already cracked or had pre-existing imperfections before the insured event, breakage of such glass is excluded. The policy insures against breakage of sound, undamaged glass.
Chips, surface scratches, abrasions, or other superficial damage that does not involve complete fracture through the glass thickness is excluded. The glass must be actually broken — not merely marked or scratched on the surface.
The information displayed here is for general guidance only and does not constitute a binding insurance offer. Policy terms, premium rates, and specific coverage conditions are determined by the insurer and are subject to underwriting. Please refer to the official policy wording for complete details. Probitas Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. · IRDAI Lic. No. 528.
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By submitting you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Plate Glass Insurance is subject to underwriting assessment. Premium depends on glass type, situation, previous experience, and neighbourhood. Policy issued by insurer; Probitas Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. acts as IRDAI Licensed Broker, Lic. No. 528.