Texas Windshield Replacement Insurance: Full Glass Coverage Laws in Texas (Rates + Deductibles)
If you live in Texas and have comprehensive coverage with an optional zero deductible, you can replace your windshield at no cost.
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Written by
Rachel Bodine
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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UPDATED: May 20, 2022
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The roads in Texas can be busy and sometimes dirty. It’s not unusual for a passing vehicle to throw up a stone or other debris and chip or crack your windshield.
You may be wondering if it is required by law to get your windshield fixed immediately, and/or does Texas windshield replacement insurance help? We’ve answered these and other questions for you.
Table of Contents
What do the full-glass insurance laws in Texas say?
If you need to replace your windshield and want to file a claim with your insurance company, you need to have comprehensive coverage in place. You should ask your insurance provider to clarify what type of insurance coverage you currently have and if it extends to include your windshield.
Your insurance agent will be able to tell you what is covered under your current policy. If you only have the minimal amount of insurance coverage as required by the state or collision coverage, you’ll need to pay out of pocket to have your windshield fixed.
However, if you have comprehensive coverage that includes glass damage, you may (or may not) only need to pay the deductible for your insurance to kick in.
Full-Glass Insurance Laws in Texas
According to the Texas transportation code, your vehicle may fail an inspection if it has any damage that creates significant visibility issues for the driver. If a crack or chip makes it difficult for the wipers to move as they should, this could also trigger a failed inspection.
In addition, federal regulations say that the windshield must be free of damage in an area that extends upwards from the top of the steering wheel to two inches below the windshield border at the top and one inch from the sides. Regulators believe that this type of damage would obstruct the driver’s view, and you should repair or replace it.
There is no Texas cracked windshield law that mentions these details specifically, but you shouldn’t drive your vehicle if any damage means that you have impaired visibility.
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Does insurance cover windshield replacement?
If you have comprehensive coverage and you asked your provider to include windshield damage, you can file a claim to help pay for the replacement.
Usually, you will need to pay the deductible yourself, but you can ask your insurance provider to add a zero-deductible clause to your policy. You may need to pay higher rates, but your insurance will then cover the entire amount for windshield repairs if you ever file a claim.
How to File a Claim for Texas Windshield Replacement
If you do get a crack in your windshield, it’s easy to file a claim. Take the following steps:
- Call your insurance company and file the paperwork against your comprehensive coverage.
- The insurer may recommend a glass replacement company, or you may choose your own.
- If your insurer has a preferred provider, you may want to use that company to speed up how your claim is processed. Discuss this with a company representative.
- Bear in mind that the insurance company does not have to pay for a windshield from the original equipment manufacturer. It might limit the coverage to aftermarket parts, so be sure to ask what you’re getting.
And if you have a zero-deductible glass coverage option in place, you won’t pay any extra costs to get your windshield replaced.
What are the free full-glass insurance laws in Texas?
You may have heard reference to a “free windshield replacement” rule in Texas, which is misleading.
It simply means that you will not pay for the replacement cost if you have comprehensive coverage with a zero-deductible windshield replacement rider. If you do not have the correct type of insurance, you may need to pay the full cost of replacement, or at least your deductible, yourself.
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What You Need to Know About Texas Windshield Coverage
If you have damage to a certain part of your windshield that may impair the driver’s vision or cracks that may impede the wipers, you may need to get your windshield replaced as soon as possible.
To file an insurance claim, you will need comprehensive coverage that includes glass damage. And if you want to avoid paying a deductible, you need to ask your insurance company to add that extra rider to your policy.