Few things are as annoying as being awakened by an activated car alarm and discovering that the side window of your vehicle has been smashed in by vandals.

The time and hassle involved in getting the window repaired - i.e. making calls back and forth to the insurance company, contacting a windscreen company - can be very frustrating and time consuming.

Norwich Union General Insurance has announced that its comprehensive motor policy customers, (private and commercial) can now take their damaged cars to any outlet of Autoglass, the nationwide chain of windscreen repair and replacement specialists.

The customer only has to show Autoglass their insurance certificate for the company to directly invoice Norwich Union.

Anyone with just third party/fire and theft cover only will receive a 30 per cent discount off standard stock items. Norwich customers can also arrange for a free security etching at Autoglass.

Most good motor insurance contracts these days allow a fairly generous level of cover for windscreen damage, and a claim will not necessarily affect any no-claims bonus you have. However, in this case, if your Norwich policy carries an excess, you will have to pay Autoglass that amount at the time of repair or replacement.