Replacing a windshield can cost hundreds of dollars. But the good news is that if your auto insurance includes comprehensive and collision coverage, your out-of-pocket costs for a windshield damage claim, after your deductible, may be lower. Even better, if you live in a state where windshield replacement is free, the replacement cost could be $0. Bankrate’s insurance team explains how different types of auto insurance can help with a windshield replacement and how to file a claim for windshield damage.
Does car insurance cover windshield damage?
There are many different types of auto insurance available to drivers, but not all auto insurance policies cover windshield replacement. For example, if you have state minimum insurance, which is the minimum amount of coverage required to drive legally, you may not have insurance that covers the cost of windshield repair or replacement. Minimum coverage usually includes liability insurance, which covers the other vehicle and its occupants in an accident you cause. However, if the other driver causes an accident, their insurance should help pay for repairs, including windshield damage.
On the other hand, if you have a full-coverage policy, your windshield is likely covered. Full-coverage policies usually include collision and comprehensive insurance (in addition to liability insurance), which cover damage caused to your vehicle in an accident or other vehicle incident, such as weather damage.
We explain how collision, comprehensive, and liability coverage applies to a windshield that needs repair or replacement.
Collision Insurance
Collision insurance covers loss and repairs to your vehicle that occur during a collision. If your windshield is broken after rear-ending another vehicle or hitting a pillar, collision insurance may cover the damage to your windshield, minus the deductible you choose for this coverage.
Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance also adds coverage for other accidents that aren’t collision-related, like a tree branch falling on your car, a rock hitting your glass, hitting a deer, shattering your windshield in a severe hail storm, etc. In any of these incidents, comprehensive insurance can pay for the replacement cost of the damaged glass, minus your deductible.
read more: Car Insurance Claims Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Liability Insurance
You can still get a windshield replacement if you don’t have comprehensive coverage. If you’re in an accident and your windshield is broken, and the accident was the other driver’s fault, the at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance will pay for the cost. However, most other scenarios fall under comprehensive or collision coverage, and if you don’t have these types of coverage, you’ll be responsible for the cost yourself.
Bankrate Insights
Even if you have full coverage car insurance that covers windshield replacement, it may not be worth filing a claim. For example, if your deductible is $500 and the cost of replacing your windshield is less than that, you don’t need to file a claim. Even if the replacement cost is a little more, you might want to think twice. Insurance companies take your claims history into account when pricing your policy.
What car insurance will cover a windshield replacement 100%?
In many states, insurance companies may offer a full glass coverage option that you can purchase in addition to your comprehensive policy, which is specific to glass repair or replacement and often comes with a $0 deductible option.
Do I have to pay a deductible to get my windshield repaired?
According to Insurance Journal, most auto insurance companies will waive the comprehensive insurance deductible for glass repair but not for glass replacement. However, if you live in a “zero deductible” state, such as Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, you don’t have to pay a replacement deductible. State laws don’t allow insurance companies to sell complete glass policies with deductibles.
It’s also worth remembering that depending on the extent of the damage, a glass repair shop may be able to fix the cracks for free, so you don’t even need to file a claim. Either way, it’s a good idea to get a quote from a repair shop first, so you’ll have a rough idea of what to expect and whether any deductibles will be taken into account when making a claim.
How to claim for windshield damage
To claim for a windshield replacement, you must first assess the extent of the damage. As a rule of thumb, if the crack in the glass is at least six inches long, it is wise to replace the windshield completely.
Small chips and cracks can often be repaired by an auto glass professional without having to remove the entire windshield. If you’re not sure whether to repair or replace your windshield, ask your insurance company or a glass professional for advice.
If your windshield is damaged, time is of the essence. Even small chips or cracks can spread quickly, and glass damage can affect the strength and integrity of your entire windshield. For your safety and to prevent further damage, consider repairing or replacing your windshield if it shows signs of cracks or chips.
To file a windshield claim:
- Take photos and measurements of the damage to determine if the repair is sufficient.
- File a claim online, over the phone, or by visiting your local insurance agent.
- Provide photos and measurements of the damage to the claims agent.
- Choose a glass and windshield professional from the options offered by your insurance company. Many companies offer windshield repair services that will come to your location, but you may need to bring your vehicle to their facility.
Windshield damage repaired under comprehensive auto insurance coverage typically won’t affect your car insurance rates. However, because you filed a claim, you may no longer be able to receive a no-accident discount if your auto insurance company offers one.
