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Last updated: February 7, 2024

Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Damage?

Does Car insurance Cover Windshield Damage? | AutoInsurance.com

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One of the more frustrating aspects of owning a car is windshield damage. You’re driving along when suddenly a tiny pebble hits your windshield, resulting in a crack. Is it worth filing an auto insurance claim? Does your car insurance even cover windshield replacement or repair? Here we share everything you need to know about car insurance and windshield damage.

Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Damage?

If you only have the minimum car insurance coverage your state requires, then car insurance won’t cover windshield damage. That said, people with comprehensive coverage and collision coverage or separate full glass coverage could get reimbursed for their windshield repair or replacement costs.

When Car Insurance Covers Windshield Damage

  • Collision coverage: If your windshield got damaged in a car crash, collision coverage would cover it. Read more about collision insurance.
  • Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive coverage would come in handy if your windshield suffered from hail damage or damage from rocks.
  • Full glass coverage: Some insurance providers offer separate full glass coverage without deductibles, unlike collision and comprehensive coverage (more on that later).

When Car Insurance Doesn’t Cover Windshield Damage

Insurance doesn’t always cover windshield damage. Your damage won’t be covered under these circumstances:

  • You lack comprehensive coverage. Since comprehensive coverage isn’t a requirement in any state, many people don’t have it.
  • You lack collision coverage and get in an at-fault accident. While the other party’s property damage coverage would cover your windshield damage from an accident in which you were not at fault, you’d need collision coverage to cover your property damage costs in an accident you caused. Learn what to do if a car accident is your fault.
  • You caused the damage intentionally. Auto insurance never covers damage you caused on purpose — that includes windshield damage.

Do I Have to Pay a Deductible for Windshield Damage?

Whether you have to pay an insurance deductible for windshield damage depends on which type of claim you file. If it’s a collision or comprehensive claim, then yes, you’ll have to pay your deductible before your insurance provider will contribute. However, if it’s a covered full glass claim, you won’t have to pay a deductible1. Companies have different policies for deductibles on windshield damage claims; find your company’s policy below2.

Windshield Insurance Information by Company

Auto insurance provider Does collision or comprehensive coverage cover windshield damage? Is separate full glass coverage available? Windshield repairs/replacements deductible policy
21st Century Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible depends on the severity of the damage.
AAA Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible may be waived for repairs but is required for replacements.
AARP Comprehensive Yes There is no deductible.
Allstate Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible may be waived for repairs but is required for replacements.
Amica Comprehensive Yes Comprehensive claims have a deductible; full glass coverage claims don’t.
Bristol West Comprehensive Yes For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs.
Clearcover Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible depends on the severity of the damage.
Dairyland Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible may be waived for repairs but is required for replacements.
Direct Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible may be waived for repairs but is required for replacements.
Erie Comprehensive Yes There’s only a deductible for replacements under comprehensive claims; Zero Dollar Glass Deductible coverage has no deductible for repair or replacement.
Farmers Comprehensive Yes For comprehensive claims, the deductible depends on the severity of the damage.
GAINSCO Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
GEICO Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
Kemper Comprehensive No The deductible is waived for repairs.
Lemonade Comprehensive Yes Comprehensive claims have a deductible; full glass coverage claims don’t.
Liberty Mutual Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
Mercury Comprehensive No The deductible is waived in some states.
Metromile Comprehensive No The deductible is required.
Nationwide Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
Progressive Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
Root Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
Safeco Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
State Farm Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible depends on the severity of the damage.
The General Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
Travelers Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.
USAA Comprehensive No For comprehensive claims, the deductible is waived for repairs but required for replacements.

Three states require insurance companies to waive deductibles for covered comprehensive windshield damage claims:

  • Florida
  • Kentucky
  • South Carolina

In some other states, you can buy down deductibles, which means the policy has an endorsement that reduces the deductible under a covered claim. Rather than paying the entire deductible, the customer pays more in comprehensive premiums for coverage3. These are the states that allow you to buy down deductibles:

  • Arizona
  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • New York

Learn more about Massachusetts’ auto insurance laws.

Should I File a Claim for Windshield Damage?

If you have the right coverage, you should file a claim for windshield damage as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely a chip or crack is to spread, resulting in higher repair costs4.

TIP

If your damage costs less than your deductible, it may make more sense to pay for the repairs out of pocket than to file a claim.

Will Filing a Windshield Damage Claim Raise My Premium?

Unfortunately, filing a windshield damage claim could raise your premium, whether or not the damage was your fault5. While this may prevent some people from filing claims, we think filing is still worth it, especially if you don’t have a deductible.

How to File a Windshield Damage Claim

Filing a windshield damage insurance claim works the same way as filing any other type of auto insurance claim.

  1. Document the damage and take notes about how, where, and when it happened. Take photos of the damage, and if you were involved in an accident, file a police report for your claim.
  2. Contact your insurance agent.
  3. Submit your evidence.
  4. Meet with a claims adjuster to see what will be covered.

Repairing vs. Replacing Your Windshield

You have two options to fix windshield damage: repairing or replacing your windshield.

Does My Windshield Need to Be Repaired or Replaced?

Repair your windshield if the damage is …

  • Minimal.
  • Not close to the windshield’s perimeter.
  • Not in your line of sight.

Replace your windshield if the damage is …

  • Extensive.
  • Close to the windshield’s perimeter.
  • In your line of sight6.

Can Glass Damage Be Repaired?

Glass damage can be repaired in some cases. Here’s how the experts do it:

  1. They create a vacuum over the damaged area.
  2. They remove the air and moisture in the damaged area.
  3. They inject resin into the microcracks.
  4. They harden the resin using UV lights.

Can I Pass a State Inspection With a Cracked Windshield?

Every state has its own standards for vehicle inspections, and that includes windshields. Find out if windshield damage could prevent you from passing inspection in your state:

State Number of cracks allowed in area cleared by windshield wipers Maximum length of crack in area cleared by windshield wiper that can pass inspection Other standards for windshields
Alabama N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Alaska N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Arizona N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Arkansas N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
California N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Colorado N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Connecticut N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Delaware N/A N/A No holes, breaks, or cracks
District of Columbia N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Florida N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Georgia 1 3 inches None
Hawaii N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Idaho N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Illinois N/A N/A No impairments to the driver’s front, side, or rear view
Indiana N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Iowa N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Kansas N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Kentucky N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Louisiana 2 bull’s-eyes, 1 crack 0.5-inch bull’s-eyes allowed in direct line of vision, 8-inch crack in area cleared by windshield wiper None
Maine 1 6-inch cracks, 1-inch bull’s-eyes None
Maryland N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Massachusetts 1 3 inches Cannot have multiple cracks, exposed sharp edges, or bull’s-eye cracks longer than 1 inch in diameter
Michigan N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Minnesota N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Mississippi N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Missouri N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Montana N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Nebraska N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Nevada N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
New Hampshire N/A No cracks allowed in area cleared by windshield wiper; 2 inches allowed in area not cleared by wiper None
New Jersey N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
New Mexico N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
New York 1 11 inches None
North Carolina N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
North Dakota N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Ohio N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Oklahoma N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Oregon N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Pennsylvania N/A N/A No exposed sharp-edged glass
Rhode Island N/A N/A No exposed sharp-edged glass or cracks in front of the driver in area cleared by windshield wiper
South Carolina N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
South Dakota N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Tennessee N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Texas N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Utah 1 0.75 inches No exposed sharp edges, intersecting cracks, or cracks within 3 inches of each other
Vermont 1 1.5 inches No intersecting cracks
Virginia 1 1.5 inches No exposed sharp edges, intersecting cracks, windshield cloudiness, or scratches at least 0.25 inches wide and 6 inches long
Washington N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
West Virginia 1 1.5 inches No exposed sharp edges
Wisconsin N/A Does not require windshield inspections None
Wyoming N/A Does not require windshield inspections None

The Cost of Fixing a Broken Windshield

How much will fixing a broken windshield cost without insurance? Anywhere from $20 for small chips to $1,500 for replacing the windshield of a luxury car.

Windshield service Cost
Aftermarket windshields 20% of repair cost minus $100
Back glass replacement $100-$300
Chip/crack repair $20-$70
Repair of cracks up to 1 foot long $50-$60
Repair of cracks 1-2 feet long $60-$70
Vehicles with special moldings 20% added to repair cost
Windshield replacement for regular cars $100-$400 with an average cost of $210-$230
Windshield replacement for collectible/luxury cars $1,500
Windshield replacement for minivans $174-$294
Windshield replacement for passenger vehicles $157-$324
Windshield replacement for pickup trucks $164-$310
Windshield replacement for SUVs $164-$2907

NOTE

If you have a collectible car, you may want to get classic car coverage.

The cost of replacing a windshield varies greatly based on several factors.

  • Make, model, and year: Luxury car manufacturers like Lexus and Mercedes-Benz have special windshields that are expensive to repair, whereas the windshields of more commonplace brands, like Honda and Toyota, are more affordable.
  • Sensors and wipers: Windshields with built-in rain sensors typically cost more to replace.
  • Type and location of damage: Front glass costs more to replace than the back glass, as the back windshield usually lacks wipers.
  • Type of glass used: Aftermarket windshields, which may use a lesser grade of glass, could save you about $100.
  • Level of service: You may go with an established, reputable company or the cheapest one you can find.8

How to Get Your Windshield Repaired or Replaced

Unless you’re a licensed mechanic, you should get your windshield repaired or replaced at an auto glass repair shop.

  1. Bring your vehicle to the repair shop.
  2. Get an estimate for the repair or replacement.
  3. File a claim online, by mail, or over the phone to get reimbursed for the repair or replacement cost.

Recap

Windshield damage is very common, which is one reason it’s so important to have collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage, if not separate full glass coverage. But the most important thing when it comes to windshield damage is not to procrastinate, as tiny cracks can morph into huge ones over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is your windshield cracked? Keep reading to get all of the information on how the damage relates to car insurance.

Does full-coverage insurance cover a windshield?

Full-coverage insurance does cover a windshield under either collision or comprehensive coverage, depending on how the damage occurred. If the windshield damage is from a car crash, collision insurance will cover it. If it’s from falling debris, comprehensive coverage will cover it.

Can I make an insurance claim for my car’s windshield?

Yes, you can make an insurance claim for your car’s windshield under these types of coverage:

  • Comprehensive
  • Collision
  • Full glass

Should I use my car insurance to fix my windshield?

You should use your car insurance to fix your windshield if the repair will cost more than your deductible or if the deductible is waived. If the repair will cost less than your deductible, it makes more sense to pay for it out of pocket and avoid making a claim, which could increase your insurance premium.

Does a glass claim affect the cost of car insurance?

Yes, a glass claim does affect the cost of car insurance. Even if the glass damage isn’t your fault, your insurance premium will likely increase – and more so if the damage was your fault.

Citations

  1. Does car insurance cover windshield damage?. Allstate. (2018, May). https://www.allstate.com/resources/car-insurance/windshield-damage

  2. A Consumer’s Guide to Auto Insurance. NAIC. (2011). https://www.insureuonline.org/consumer_guide_auto.pdf

  3. Deductible Buy-Down Options Can Help with Unexpected Claims Costs. Inside RM. (2019, Aug). https://www.tasbrmf.org/learning-news/insiderm/home/coverage/property/deductible-buy-down-options-can-help-with-unexpected-claims-costs.aspx#:~:text=A%20deductible%20buy%2Ddown%2C%20sometimes,charged%20for%20the%20additional%20coverage

  4. Does car insurance cover windshield damage?. Progressive. (2022). https://www.progressive.com/answers/windshield-damage/

  5. DOES FILING AN AUTO GLASS REPAIR CLAIM AFFECT YOUR INSURANCE? Centennial Glass. (2020, May). https://www.centennialautoglass.com/Blog/entryid/85/does-filing-an-auto-glass-repair-claim-affect-your-insurance

  6. Helping Policyholders Understand Auto Glass Repair Or Replacement Options. Insurance Journal. (2012, Jul). https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/features/2012/07/02/253290.htm

  7. What Is an Average Windshield Repair Quote? Cars Direct. (2012, Feb). https://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/windshield-repair-quote-average-prices-on-common-repairs

  8. How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Windshield Without Insurance? Glass America. (2017, Oct). https://glassusa.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-replace-a-windshield-without-insurance/