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Your car insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairs to your vehicle in case of accident or damage in events like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. As a result, car insurance likely covers the replacement of a broken windshield, but it will depend on how the windshield was broken and what type of coverage you carry.
Understanding how different types of coverage work is key to knowing when you’ll pay out of pocket and when insurance covers the windshield replacement or repair.
Key Points
• Car insurance can cover windshield replacement under collision or comprehensive coverage.
• Some states offer no-deductible comprehensive coverage for windshield replacement.
• Repair costs for minor damage are lower, ranging from $50 to $150, while replacements cost $275 to $1,100 or more.
• Filing a claim involves contacting the insurer, providing damage details, and determining deductible applicability.
• Car owners can usually choose their preferred repair shop, even if the insurance company suggests certain providers.
Does Car Insurance Cover a Cracked or Broken Windshield?
Car insurance will sometimes cover a cracked or broken windshield. There are different types of car insurance coverage. Windshield damage is typically covered through collision or comprehensive insurance. How your windshield is damaged will determine which of these kicks in to pay the cost.
Types of Coverage That Apply to Windshield Damage
Here’s a closer look at the two types of auto insurance coverage that can typically apply to windshield damage.
• Collision coverage covers the cost of repairs after your car has been in an accident with another vehicle or a stationary object, such as a lamppost or tree, regardless of who’s at fault. It’s typically optional and not required by state law, though some lenders may require it if you finance the purchase of your vehicle.
• Comprehensive coverage protects your car from non-collision damage. This includes theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, hitting an animal, and natural disasters like flooding or hailstorms. Like collision insurance, comprehensive coverage is an optional add-on.
Both collision and comprehensive coverage usually have a car insurance deductible. This is an amount that you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and a fallen branch causes $1,000 worth of damage to your car, you’ll have to pay $500 toward the cost of repair first before you comprehensive insurance steps in to pay the rest.
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Differences Between Comprehensive and Collision Coverage for Glass
To recap how car insurance works, your collision coverage pays for the cost of windshield replacement when it has been damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object. Your comprehensive coverage will pay in most other scenarios — if a tree branch falls on your car, for example.
State-Specific Regulations and “Full Glass Coverage”
One important thing to know is that the cost of windshield replacement may be less than your insurance deductible. On average, replacement can cost between $275 and $1,100. But where you live could impact how much you’ll pay.
In Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, no deductible is charged for a windshield replacement if you carry comprehensive insurance and meet coverage requirements. A handful of states allow you to purchase separate glass coverage with no- or low-deductible options for windshield replacement. These states usually require that you carry comprehensive coverage as well. States that require insurers to offer separate glass coverage include Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York.
Drivers in other states may need to pay for the cost of windshield replacement out of pocket.
Will You Pay a Deductible for Your Windshield Claim?
As mentioned above, whether or not you’ll need to pay a deductible for your windshield claim depends on a variety of factors. The chart below summarizes the basic scenarios.
| Repair/Replacement Type | Deductible Applies? |
|---|---|
| Minor chip/crack repair | Usually waived |
| Full windshield replacement | Standard deductible applies |
| Full glass coverage endorsement or zero-deductible state | No deductible |
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When to Repair vs. Replace Your Windshield
You don’t always have to replace a damaged windshield — chips and short cracks can often be repaired. That’s a good option for chips that are less than an inch across and for cracks that are shorter than the length of a dollar bill.
Signs That Indicate a Windshield Needs Replacement
Sometimes the damage to your windshield requires a full replacement. You’ll want to go this route if a crack is longer than a dollar bill or if it’s near the edge of your windshield, as this could affect the structural integrity of the glass.
Cracks or chips that are directly in your line of sight may also signal that your windshield needs to be replaced. Even if these damages can be repaired, the resin used to fix them will still leave a mark that could impair your vision.
Cost Comparison Between Repair and Replacement
The cost of small repairs to a windshield can be relatively low, around $50 to $150. By comparison, the cost of replacing your windshield could be significantly more.
Replacing windshields on older vehicles tends to be the cheapest scenario. This is where you can expect to pay the above-mentioned $275 or so at the lower end of the scale. But there are several factors that can increase costs from here. If your car has a larger-than-standard windshield, is a luxury vehicle, has a special design, or includes technology built into the windshield, be prepared for costs to be higher.
For instance, if your windshield includes advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic braking and adaptive cruise control, plan on paying $500 to $1,500 or more to replace it.
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How a Windshield Claim Works
In general, a windshield claim is relatively simple to file. First, be sure the repair or replacement is covered by your comprehensive insurance or additional glass coverage. You can do this by calling your insurance provider or looking at your auto insurance terms and policy details.
Filing a Claim and Your Deductible
To file a claim, contact your insurer’s claims center and provide your personal information and policy number. Describe the damage and be prepared to provide documentation, such as pictures or a video. Your insurance company can help you determine the cost of repair or replacement. If the cost is less than your deductible, you may need to foot the bill yourself.
When your car is serviced, you might need to pay the deductible amount first, and your insurance company will pay the remaining amount directly to the shop.
How Insurance Companies Handle Repair vs. Replacement Costs
Based on the severity of the damage, you may be able to repair your windshield or you may need to replace it entirely. In the case of a minor repair, your insurance company might waive your deductible. However, your deductible may apply to a full replacement.
Choosing a Glass Repair Shop
Your insurance company may provide a list of recommended repair shops to repair or replace your windshield. But in general, you have the final say over where to take your car.
The Takeaway
Does car insurance cover a cracked windshield? When it comes to a damaged windshield, covered repairs or replacements are not necessarily a given. It depends on your policy, how the damage occurred, and the cost of repairs. Understanding what your auto insurance covers and knowing your options ahead of time can help save you from surprises when repairs are needed.
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FAQ
Will filing a windshield claim raise my insurance rates?
Unfortunately, filing a windshield claim could raise your insurance rates when you renew. However, this will depend on your coverage and other factors, such as state law.
Do I have to pay a deductible for a small chip repair?
Many insurance companies will waive the deductible for repairs to small chips, so you likely won’t have to pay for these fixes.
What is “full glass coverage” and how do I know if I have it?
Full glass coverage is an insurance add-on with low or no deductible for windshield and other auto glass repairs. This is coverage that you have to choose to obtain. If you can’t remember whether you have chosen it in the past, you can review your auto insurance policy.
Can I choose my own glass repair shop?
You can choose your own glass repair show, though your insurance company may provide a list of preferred shops.
What if the windshield was damaged in a car accident?
If your windshield is damaged in a car accident, the cost of repair may be covered by your collision insurance.
Photo credit: iStock/4kodiak
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