Driving with a chipped, cracked, or broken windshield can pose a safety risk on the road. If you experience damage to your windshield, make sure you get it fixed or replaced right away.
Car insurance can cover the cost of windshield replacement, often without a deductible. But coverage depends on your location, insurance company, and the type of auto insurance policy you have.
Here’s what you need to know about windshield replacement and auto insurance coverage.
Your car insurance policy may cover windshield damage. Whether or not your specific policy includes coverage for a damaged or cracked windshield depends on the situation and the type of coverage you have.1
If your car insurance covers windshield damage, it may pay for the cost of repairs or replacement resulting from the following types of glass claims:
Chipped windshield
Cracked windshield
Shattered windshield
For example, if your windshield is smashed in an accident, collision insurance could protect you. But if a small rock hits your windshield on the highway, you might need comprehensive insurance to cover the damage.
You can protect yourself financially against windshield damage under a few different types of auto policies. Here’s a closer look at some common options that cover windshield repair and replacement.2
You might have to pay a deductible when you submit a glass repair claim. But your type of coverage, the type of damage, and your location all play a role in determining whether a deductible applies to windshield insurance claims.
With some insurers, the repair of chips, cracks, or small breaks won’t trigger a deductible. But your deductible might kick in for bigger claims, like a full windshield replacement. Your insurer may waive your deductible if you have an insurance policy with a lower deductible or no deductible on glass claims.
Whether you pay an auto glass deductible may also depend on where you live. In Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, for example, drivers with comprehensive coverage can’t be charged a deductible to repair or replace a broken windshield.
Windshield damage interferes with your safety while on the road. So, it’s important to file glass claims and repair glass damage as soon as possible. Here are some basic steps you can take to begin the process.3
Notify your insurer and start an insurance claim. You may be able to begin the claim process online, over the phone, or through your insurance company’s mobile app.
Verify if your policy covers you for repairs. Review your policy documents to see if you have coverage for windshield repairs. If you’re not sure, check with your agent or insurance company.
Schedule your windshield repair or replacement. Once your insurance approves your claim, book your windshield repair or replacement with an approved shop. You can typically choose from visiting a shop or having the auto glass company come to your home or location of your choice.
When your windshield breaks and you have a liability-only policy that doesn’t cover glass damage, you may have to cover repair costs out of pocket. The average cost to repair or replace your windshield varies based on factors like the extent of the damage, the make and model of your vehicle, your location, and other details.
The table below lists a range of what you might pay to repair windshield breaks if you don’t have insurance coverage.4
Newer vehicle models and luxury vehicles often have windshields with special features, such as rain sensors, heads-up displays, heating elements, and more. In general, the more advanced technology your windshield uses, the higher the cost of the replacement if damage occurs.
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about windshield replacement coverage.
Your insurance company may increase your premiums anytime you file a claim. But if your car insurance rate increases after a glass claim, it likely won’t be by much.
It depends. If the cost of a glass repair or windshield replacement is less than your deductible, it might not be worth filing a glass claim. But if you don’t have a deductible or the repair costs exceed your deductible amount, you might want to consider filing an insurance claim for glass damage.
In Arizona, insurers are required to cover the full cost of windshield replacement or repair when you have $0 deductible comprehensive insurance. But if you don’t opt for a $0 deductible policy, you’ll still have to pay your deductible out of pocket before your insurance kicks in to cover glass.
Texas insurers aren’t required to offer customers $0 deductible coverage for windshield replacement. So if you want to make sure windshield replacement won’t cost you anything, you’ll need to pay extra for a $0 deductible comprehensive policy or separate glass coverage.
Yes, you can buy auto glass coverage separate from your auto policy. Auto glass coverage is add-on insurance that helps pay for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle’s glass, including the windshield.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
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