Windshield Replacement: Is It Covered By Car Insurance?

Windshield replacement is almost always covered by your car insurance, typically through the comprehensive portion of your policy. Collision coverage can also help with costs depending on how the damage occurred. Make sure you also have underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage in case the damage was caused by someone who doesn’t have adequate insurance or if the individual has no insurance at all. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you may be able to get a full glass coverage policy depending on the state you live in. The cost to repair your windshield can be as low as $20 whereas replacement can be as high as $400. To file a claim if your windshield is damaged, you have the option of speaking with a live person on the phone, filing your information online or through your provider’s mobile app.

On This Page

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  When Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?

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  What Should I Do if I Don’t Have Comprehensive Auto Insurance?

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  What Is the Average Cost To Repair or Replace a Windshield?

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  How Do You File a Claim After Your Windshield Breaks?

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  FAQs

When Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?

There are several types of coverage that can help with windshield replacement.

Damage to your windshield will typically be covered by the comprehensive coverage, an optional coverage that is meant to protect you from damage that isn’t caused by a collision with another vehicle or object. The following is a list of events that are usually covered by your comprehensive insurance:

• Fire
• Hail
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Falling object
• Hitting wildlife
• Flood

Collision coverage protects you from the costs of repairing or replacing a windshield due to an accident. Collision coverage provides protection when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, a pedestrian or a stationary object. Coverage includes:

• Car accidents with other vehicles
• Collisions with objects, including:
• Garages
• Guardrails
• Houses
• Mailboxes
• Posts
• Telephone poles
• Trees
• Vehicle overturns

Note: If your vehicle is damaged by someone else who is at fault, you can file a claim with their insurance provider.

Underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage pays for damages to your windshield if the damage has been caused by someone who either doesn’t have insurance or who doesn’t have sufficient insurance.

Will I Have To Pay a Deductible?

You may have to pay a deductible for a damaged windshield claim depending on your policy and the state where you live. A deductible is the amount of money that you will pay out-of-pocket toward a covered claim before your insurance kicks in.

Situations when you may not have to pay a deductible for a glass claim include:

• There is a glass repair agreement included with your comprehensive coverage. Some insurance companies won't apply the deductible should your windshield require repair instead of replacement.
• You have full glass coverage which could help pay for the repair of your windshield with no deductible applied. States that offer this coverage include:
• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York
• Some state laws mandate that a deductible cannot be applied. Mandates for comprehensive coverage apply in the following states:
• Florida
• Kentucky
• North Carolina

What Should I Do if I Don’t Have Comprehensive Auto Insurance?

Depending on where you live, you can get full glass coverage as a separate policy if you don’t have comprehensive auto insurance. Full glass coverage helps pay for repair or replacement of your damaged windshield or glass. This coverage is also known as windshield insurance, windshield repair insurance or full windshield replacement insurance. States that offer full glass coverage include:

• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New York

What Is the Average Cost To Repair or Replace a Windshield?

Depending on where you go and the type of glass being repaired, it can cost as low as $20 to get your windshield repaired. The cost to replace a windshield ranges between $100 - $400 with the average being between $210 - $230 according to Glass America. Repairing a windshield costs less than replacing one. This is due to the fact that the cost for repairs is generally based on how much glass needs to be fixed. The cost of replacement, on the other hand, depends on:

• Your vehicle's make and model
• Your location
• The type of glass being replaced

You may only have to pay the deductible in order to repair or replace the windshield of your car if you have auto insurance. Coverage like comprehensive and collisions could help with this. Remember that states like Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina have mandates against charging deductibles for windshield repair or replacement. You can also get a full glass coverage policy to help cover costs. Full glass coverage is offered in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York.

How Do You File a Claim After Your Windshield Breaks?

You can file a claim by contacting your agent or possibly by using your provider’s insurance app. Make sure you have the following information ready when you submit your claim:

• Your policy number
• Details about the damage (include pictures)
• Your vehicle’s make, model and year
• Your car’s VIN (vehicle identification number)

Note: You can usually find the VIN on the driver’s side dashboard. It is also on your registration card.

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