Does car insurance cover windshield damage or replacement?
Auto insurance does cover windshield damage if you have a full coverage policy. Full coverage car insurance costs about $132/mo and includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. Auto insurance claims for windshield damage and replacement are filed under comprehensive insurance.
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Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 19, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 19, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Car insurance will usually cover the cost of replacing a windshield if it is damaged under specific circumstances outlined in your policy
- If your deductible exceeds the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield, your insurance might not cover it
- Adding full auto glass coverage to your car insurance policy can help cover the glass repair or replacement cost
If you’re asking does car insurance cover windshield damage, the answer is it depends on what coverages you have. Usually, full coverage auto insurance will cover most damages to windshields, as will windshield insurance.
It’s important to know what coverages you have for glass-related repairs and replacements before damages occur. Beyond being an important cosmetic feature, maintaining a windshield free of cracks and chips can also significantly impact your ability to drive safely, making repairing a cracked or broken windshield an essential part of car maintenance.
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 Auto Insurance Covers Windshield Damage or 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.
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- Does auto insurance cover broken car windows?
Comprehensive Auto 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 Auto Insurance
If your windshield is damaged in a collision you cause, collision auto insurance 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 Coverage
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 affordable windshield insurance is available in your area.
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Auto Insurance Companies That Offer Glass Insurance
Several major insurance companies offer full auto glass coverage, including:
- Progressive auto insurance: Windshield repair and replacement are 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. Read our Allstate auto insurance review for more information about the company.
- 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. Check out our Nationwide auto insurance review.
- 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. Learn more in our Geico auto insurance review.
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 Windshield Insurance is 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.
Read More: Texas Windshield Replacement Auto Insurance
Auto Insurance Rates for Windshield Damage or Replacement
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.
The Average Cost of Repairing Windshield Damage
The average cost of repairing an individual chip or a crack less than six inches long on your windshield is around $150.
The cost of replacing a windshield can be significantly higher depending on the make and model of your vehicle.Ty Stewart Licensed Insurance Agent
Windshield replacement costs can range from $350 to nearly $1,000. Therefore, cheap windshield insurance can more than pay itself off if you need to file a claim.
When to File Auto Insurance Claims for Windshield Damage
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.
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.
Read More: Does car insurance cover broken car windows?
How to File a Windshield-Related Auto Insurance Claim
Filing a car insurance claim for a broken or damaged windshield follows the same steps as any other insurance claim (read up on how to file a car 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.
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The Bottom Line: Does Auto Insurance Cover Windshield Damage?
In general, you should only submit a glass-related car insurance claim if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds your out-of-pocket insurance deductible.
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.
To get started on finding the best windshield insurance today, use our free quote comparison tool above. It will help you find the best rates and coverages to protect your windshield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible if a rock hits my windshield?
As the driver, you’re responsible for cracks in your windshield unless damages were caused in a collision by another at-fault driver.
What is auto insurance that covers windshield replacement called?
Insurance that pays for windshield replacement is called full auto glass coverage. Although windshield replacement insurance is usually available as an optional add-on, some states require that insurance companies provide free glass repair and replacement as part of comprehensive coverage.
Does auto insurance cover windshield replacement?
Although it depends on your policy, car insurance usually covers repairs or replacement costs if your windshield is damaged or broken. If you have full auto glass coverage as part of your insurance policy, your insurer should cover the glass repair or replacement cost.
Does claiming windshield damage affect auto insurance premiums?
Your auto insurance rates shouldn’t go up after a windshield claim as long as the windshield wasn’t damaged due to an accident or collision
Does Geico cover windshield replacement?
Geico will cover your windshield claim if you have comprehensive physical damage coverage. You may or may not have to pay a deductible, depending on the terms of your policy.
Does auto insurance cover windshield damage?
Car insurance typically covers various types of windshield damage, including cracks, chips, and complete windshield replacement, as long as it is caused by a covered incident. Covered incidents may include rocks or debris kicked up by other vehicles, falling objects, vandalism, or extreme weather conditions like hailstorms. However, it’s important to review your specific insurance policy to understand the covered perils and any exclusions or limitations that may apply.
Are there any limitations or restrictions when it comes to auto insurance windshield coverage?
Common restrictions include a maximum coverage limit for windshield repairs or replacements, the requirement to use an approved repair shop or glass vendor, and specific conditions for filing a claim, such as the size or location of the damage.
What does a $500 deductible with full glass mean in auto insurance?
Full glass coverage with a $500 deductible means that your policy waives the deductible to pay for glass damages.
What does comprehensive auto insurance with full glass coverage mean?
Comprehensive insurance with full glass coverage means your deductible is waived if you need windshield repairs or replacement.
Does auto insurance cover broken windows from break-ins?
Comprehensive auto insurance will cover any damage to your vehicle and windows caused by a break-in, theft, or vandalism.
Does auto insurance cover a rock hitting my windshield?
Comprehensive insurance will usually cover damages if a rock hits your windshield.
Is it illegal to drive around with a cracked windshield?
Each state has different regulations, but a good rule of thumb is that if the crack or chip obstructs your vision and is larger than a few inches, it is illegal to drive around in the vehicle.
Can windshield cracks be repaired?
Windshield cracks can be repaired as long as the crack doesn’t penetrate past the first layer of glass.
How much does it cost to fix a cracked windshield?
Depending on the damage, it can cost between $150 and $1,000 to fix or replace cracked windshields.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.