Does car insurance cover windshield damage or replacement?

Making sure your windshield is in good repair is a key part of the responsibility of owning a vehicle.

Beyond being an important cosmetic feature, maintaining a windshield free of cracks and chips can also significantly impact your ability to drive safely. From seeing the road ahead of you clearly to ensuring the glass isn’t vulnerable to further damage, repairing a cracked or broken windshield is an essential part of car maintenance. Because of that, it’s important to know the best way to pay for glass-related repairs and replacements before they occur.

Keep reading to explore when car insurance pays for windshield replacement, how to file a windshield claim, and when you should — or shouldn’t — rely on your insurance to pay for glass repairs.

When does car insurance cover windshield replacement?

Does auto insurance cover glass replacement? In general, the answer is yes, although there are important nuances that every vehicle owner should be aware of before filing a claim.

While most insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a windshield, your policy’s repair or replacement expenses often depend on the specific circumstances that led to the damage.

Comprehensive Insurance

Most comprehensive insurance policies cover windshield damage so long as a collision with another vehicle doesn’t cause it. 

For example, comprehensive auto insurance covers damage due to natural disasters, “acts of God,” and vandalism. If you have comprehensive insurance with full glass coverage, your policy should cover the cost of repairs or replacement in full, less your deductible.

Collision Insurance

If your windshield is damaged in a collision you cause, collision coverage should pay for repairs or replacement.

When would another driver’s insurance cover the cost of a damaged windshield?

If your windshield is damaged or broken in an accident that another driver caused, their insurance should pay for the glass repair or replacement cost.

Windshield Insurance

Are you looking for car insurance with full glass coverage? Another type of insurance for broken windows, called windshield insurance or “full auto glass coverage,” can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing a broken or damaged windshield. 

Windshield insurance is usually available as an optional add-on to your comprehensive policy. However, it isn’t available in every state, so it’s best to contact your insurance agent or provider to find out if it’s available in your area.

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How much does replacing a windshield cost?

The average cost of repairing an individual chip or a crack less than six inches long on your windshield is around $150. However, the cost of replacing a windshield can be significantly higher depending on the make and model of your vehicle. 

Windshield replacement costs can range from $350 to nearly $1,000.

When To File A Claim For A Broken Or Damaged Windshield

In general, you should only consider filing a claim for a damaged windshield if the cost of repairs or replacement is higher than your insurance deductible. 

Conversely, if the quote for your glass repair or replacement is less than your deductible, it makes more sense to skip the claim and pay out-of-pocket. Also, consider paying out-of-pocket for repairs if you’ve filed other claims recently, as multiple claims can impact your insurance rates.

How to File a Windshield-Related Insurance Claim

Filing a car insurance claim for a broken or damaged windshield follows the same steps as any other insurance claim. Depending on your insurance provider, you can open a claim online through your insurer’s website. Otherwise, you can call your insurance agent or provider directly to begin the process.

After submitting the claim, your insurer might require you to take your vehicle to a repair shop for inspection and get a cost estimate. Make sure to ask whether your insurance company requires you to use a specific shop or if you can choose your own.

If your broken windshield results from an act of vandalism, you should also contact the police and file a police report to document the incident. Filing a report can also come in handy when dealing with your insurance company throughout the claims process.

Does windshield repair affect insurance rates?

Depending on which type of claim you file, your rates could be impacted by filing a windshield repair or replacement claim. For example:

• Insurance companies usually won’t increase your rates if you file a comprehensive glass repair or replacement claim. Comprehensive insurance covers the cost of damages caused by events outside of your control, such as natural disasters, falling objects, and more. 
• Your rates could increase if you file a collision claim for an at-fault accident. However, if accident forgiveness is included in your policy, your rates might not increase after your first accident.
• Your rates won’t increase if another driver’s insurance pays for your glass replacement. Your rates shouldn’t be affected after an accident you weren’t at fault for.

Filing multiple claims within short periods can also impact your rates. For example, if you’ve filed another insurance claim recently, consider paying out-of-pocket for glass repairs to avoid claims-related rate increases.

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Which insurance companies offer glass coverage?

Several major insurance companies offer full auto glass coverage, including:

• Progressive auto insurance: Windshield repair and replacement is included in Progressive’s comprehensive insurance coverage, less the policyholder’s deductible.
• Allstate auto insurance: Glass-only claims, including for windshields, are optionally covered by Allstate through a partnership with Safelite with no deductible.
• Nationwide auto insurance: Glass-only windshield repairs and replacement are covered under Nationwide’s optional Glass Service with third-party partner, Safelite. For customers with the optional glass coverage, there is no deductible.
• Geico auto insurance: Geico might be able to help with glass-related claims if you have comprehensive physical damage insurance. In some cases, there is no deductible for glass-related claims.

Other insurers in your area may also offer glass coverage and windshield insurance. Shop around for local auto insurance quotes to see which company provides the best price. 

Where is windshield insurance available?

Although glass coverage is usually optional and isn’t available in every state, some states require auto insurance companies to provide full glass coverage as part of their comprehensive coverage, including South Carolina and Kentucky. 

Similarly, insurers must provide windshield coverage in their comprehensive policies in Florida. Check with your insurance agent or company to find out what glass coverage is available where you live.

Using Insurance to Pay for Windshield Damage: The Bottom Line

In many cases, the cost of repairing or replacing a damaged windshield should be covered by your insurance. However, if you don’t have full glass coverage added to your comprehensive policy, filing an insurance claim for windshield repair or replacement might not be worth it. 

In general, you should only submit a glass-related claim if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds your out-of-pocket insurance deductible.

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