Does Insurance Need to Know About Windshield Repairs and Replacements?

• If the windshield replacement costs less than your deductible, or around the same amount, it’s likely not worth it to file a claim
• Filing a claim for windshield damage can raise your rates; however, if the damage wasn’t your fault, the increase should be low or none
• Driving with a broken windshield can be a violation of state, or even federal laws, so if your windshield is busted, you should address it as quickly as possible

No, you’re not required to tell your insurance about a windshield repair or replacement — but it may be worth it depending on your deductible and coverage. Electing to not tell your insurer will not trigger any penalties or punishments — it just means that you have to pay out-of-pocket for your repair/replacement.

Once your windshield is damaged, especially if the damage is severe, you should try and act as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to repair a broken windshield, the more likely it is for a chip/crack to spread. This can lead to dangerous driving conditions, more costly repairs, and higher legal penalties if you are pulled over.

1. Determine which type of coverage to use. There are two types of coverage that may pay for windshield damages.
   • Collision coverage. This is for a windshield that was damaged in an accident.
   • Comprehensive coverage. This will cover non-accident damages, such as falling objects.
2. You pay your deductible, and your insurer covers the rest of the cost. For example, if it costs $1,000 to replace the windshield and you have a $250 deductible, you pay $250 and your insurer pays $750. If you have a $0 deductible, your insurer pays for the entire cost of the windshield.
3. Once you have filed your claim and worked with your insurer to determine their level of responsibility for the damages, you can proceed with your auto glass repair/replacement.

If you choose to not tell your insurance about your windshield damage, you will be responsible for all of the repair costs. Paying out of pocket might mean missing out on potential coverage opportunities offered by your policy. But depending on your driving record and insurance company, you could also save money in the long run by paying out-of-pocket, and avoiding a higher rate.

If your windshield is very badly damaged, paying out-of-pocket can be expensive, especially if you are replacing your windshield. These costs could be even higher if you have a newer car, which might have cameras or sensors associated with the windshield.

Cost of Windshield Replacement Without Insurance

Risks of Not Repairing Windshield Damage

• Safety risks: If your windshield is so damaged that it needs to be replaced, your car is unsafe to drive. Even if you have more minor damage, it could jeopardize your visibility while driving, or compromise the strength of your windshield.
• Increased damage: A small chip might not seem like much, but it could turn into a large crack further down the line. Windshield glass is sensitive when broken, so even something as small as a temperature change or the vibrations from driving could worsen the damage.

• You have no deductible or a low deductible. If your insurance deductible is lower than what it will cost to replace or repair your windshield, then filing a claim will allow your insurance to cover the rest.
• You have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage usually covers windshield damage from events that are unrelated to accidents, including falling debris, or vandalism. Comprehensive coverage generally comes with lower deductibles.
• The damage to your windshield is severe or dangerous. If your windshield is badly damaged at the edges, has severe chips/cracks, or the damage prevents driver visibility, you will likely need a total replacement. Filing a claim is the right choice in this situation, since a full replacement will be expensive.
• Your state has strict windshield repair laws. It is essential to familiarize yourself with both federal and local policies in the case of a broken windshield. If you live in a state that is especially harsh about broken windshields, you should be sure to get your auto glass repaired as soon as possible.

• The damage is minor. If minor cracks/chips are the only damage to your windshield, it might be cheaper to pay out-of-pocket to repair your damages.
• You were in an accident and it was not your fault. If the other driver caused your accident, then their insurance should cover the total amount of your windshield replacement. In this case, you do not need to file a claim with your own provider. However, it is necessary for you to get the other driver’s insurance verification in order to receive your benefits.  Note that if the accident wasn’t your fault, you can still file a collision claim, and your insurer will attempt to recoup the costs through subrogation.
• The repair costs less than your deductible. If your repair is fairly minor and inexpensive, it might be more inexpensive for you to pay out-of-pocket. This is especially true if you have filed many claims with your insurance in the past.
• You have an extensive history of claims. If you have filed numerous claims with your insurer, and reporting your windshield damage would cause a large increase in your rates, it might be more affordable to cover your windshield damages out-of-pocket.

Federal law prohibits certain windshield cracks; state laws may be stricter.

Federal Regulations

• If the crack/chip in your windshield is over 3/4 inch in diameter, it is not legal to drive the car.
• Multiple cracks/chips can also cause legal issues. If you have intersecting cracks, or multiple cracks within three inches of each other, you could be fined.
• The location of the cracks/chips matter, too. Your fines may be larger if the damage on your windshield is directly in front of the driver’s view.²

State Regulations

• Cracked windshield laws vary from state-to-state.
• Some state’s laws on cracked windshields are stricter than others. In Pennsylvania, one of the strictest states, no chips/cracks of any size are allowed to be on the center of the driver’s side. If you have a chip/crack in an unlucky place, you could get a ticket even for minimal damage.
• Meanwhile, more lax states like Arizona have no additional regulations aside from the federal rules. The law in this state is simply that your windshield must be in “adequate” condition, which is a highly subjective measurement.³
• The cost of state-level broken windshield tickets vary greatly, the range being just a few dollars all the way up to $100+.

Consequences

The consequences for breaking state cracked windshield laws essentially “stack” onto the consequences of breaking federal cracked windshield laws.

• Both types of violations can result in failed inspections
• Non-moving violations (which can be costly)
• Repeat offenses can result in the suspension of your driver’s license

In many cases, a windshield claim will not impact your insurance rates. But, it is possible for your rates to be impacted. Ultimately it comes down to your insurance company and your claims history.

• Your history: If the cost of your windshield repair is lower than your deductible, and it is your first time getting one, your insurance rates should not be impacted. However, a more costly repair or a history of claims could cause an increase.
• Your insurance: The impact to your rates might be determined by the way your insurer treats comprehensive claims. If your windshield was cracked in a non-accident — for example, due to hail, vandalism, or animal collision — it’s a comprehensive claim, which is less likely to affect your rates (though it can).⁴

The impact on your insurance rates might also be contingent upon what state you live in. Just like there are different state laws about driving with a broken windshield, there are also varying state laws about windshield replacements and insurance company requirements.

States with Free Windshield Replacement

There are so-called “zero-deductible states” which require insurance companies to replace damaged windshields with no deductible, as part of comprehensive coverage.

• Florida
• Kentucky
• South Carolina

States with Low Deductible Glass Options

Several other states offer glass coverage add-ons with low deductible options.⁵ These include:

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Arizona
• New York

Even if you don’t live in one of these states, the good news is that the standard coverage with all major insurers will usually apply to windshield replacement. Insurance companies sometimes offer special deals for auto glass repair/replacement, too. For example, Progressive will waive glass deductibles for certain claims.⁶

The details on how your windshield coverage works and how much it costs will vary, but you should generally have some level of coverage. Ask an agent or representative about your auto glass coverage so that you know what to expect.

A damaged windshield can be a real pain, but luckily, under many conditions, your insurance should be able to support your repair or replacement. This is especially true if you’re dealing with major damages, because your insurance will likely cover a full replacement if your windshield is in very poor condition.

But, if you have very minor damages that will not be too expensive to fix, then paying out-of-pocket might be your best option, so that you can be sure to avoid any potential rate increases.

Even though windshield damage is highly common, and insurance will usually cover it, drivers sometimes hesitate to report it for fear of increasing their monthly rates. Before you pay out-of-pocket for an expensive repair/replacement, you should talk to an agent, and check whether your insurer will cover your auto glass with low or no deductible. In many cases, reporting windshield damage will not raise your insurance rates, and the risks that some drivers should be more concerned about are the legal risks of driving with a broken windshield.