Should I Use Insurance to Replace My Windshield? Sep 2024

If you spend a lot of time on the road, you’re likely to experience a cracked or broken windshield at some point. And often, windshields and other kinds of auto glass are much more expensive than you might think. With that in mind, you might be inclined to ask, “Should I use insurance to replace my windshield?”

In many cases, your car insurance will cover a windshield replacement. However, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to file a claim to fix your windshield or pay out-of-pocket to repair or replace it yourself.

Here’s what you need to know before making that decision:

What Insurance Covers Windshield Replacements?

First and foremost, does auto insurance cover windshield damage? The answer depends on what kind of coverage you have. There are three kinds of auto insurance that typically cover windshield damage: comprehensive, collision, and auto glass coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance pays for vehicle damages not related to collisions with other vehicles or objects.

When does comprehensive insurance cover windshield replacement? These are some common scenarios:

• Your windshield is damaged by hail

• A tree falls on your car

• You hit an animal

• Someone vandalizes your car

• Rocks or other debris damage your windshield

The term “comprehensive” makes it sound like this kind of insurance will cover any windshield damage, no matter the cause. But the name is misleading. If your windshield cracks or breaks in an accident that you cause, you’ll need collision insurance if you want it covered.

Collision Coverage

If comprehensive coverage doesn’t cover your repairs, you might wonder, “Does a windshield replacement count as a claim when you have collision insurance?” It typically will unless you have specific coverage for glass damage.

Collision coverage will pay for windshield damage or other vehicle damage if you are involved in a crash. If the other driver is at fault, you can file a claim against their liability insurance. However, if you were at fault, you’ll almost always need collision insurance if you want it to be covered.

Full Glass Coverage

What is full glass coverage? Some insurance companies allow you to purchase auto glass insurance as an add-on to your existing policy. The main advantage of this kind of windshield insurance coverage is that its deductible tends to be lower than that of comprehensive or collision insurance.

Does Liability Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?

If you cause a car accident and damage the other driver’s windshield as a result, your liability insurance will pay for the repairs. However, because liability insurance only pays for injuries or vehicular damage you cause to other drivers, your liability insurance won’t pay for repairs to your own windshield.

Will My Insurance Go Up if I Claim for a Windshield?

The whole point of windshield replacement insurance is to save you money in the event that you need to replace your windshield. However, if your windscreen insurance premiums go up dramatically after you file a claim, you might not save much in the long run.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to know for certain whether a windshield claim will impact your premiums. It depends on your insurer and the circumstances of the damage. Still, it’s important to note that, in general, windshield and other glass-related claims have very little impact on your insurance premiums.

Windshield Replacement Cost With Insurance and Without

Here’s a look at the typical cost of repairs or replacements when you don’t have (or choose not to use) insurance:

Windshield Replacement (Newer Cars)

Many newer cars feature various technologies built into their windshields, like lane departure warnings, collision warnings, and rain-sensing wipers. Therefore, for these cars, windshield replacement must include recalibration. And that makes the typical total replacement cost around $1,000 or even more.

Windshield Replacement (Older Cars)

For older cars without any special tech, replacements usually cost between $300 and $500.

Cracks or Chips

It’s cheaper to repair a windshield than it is to replace it. Large cracks often cost about $125 or higher, but small cracks or chips can cost as little as $60 to fill.

Should I File an Insurance Claim for a Cracked Windshield?

Your options here depend on your coverage. Imagine you have a $500 deductible. If you have a small crack, it will cost the same to repair whether you file a claim or not because the repair cost is less than the deductible.

However, if you need to replace a windshield on a new car, filing a claim is worth it. When you file a claim, you’ll only pay the deductible ($500) for a replacement. If you don’t file a claim, you’ll be stuck with the full replacement cost (often $1,000 and up).

What States Offer Free Windshield Replacements?

The answer to “Should I use insurance to replace my windshield?” can vary depending on what kind of coverage you have. However, if you live in one of the handful of states that require car insurance companies to provide full glass coverage, the answer is a resounding “yes.”

Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina legally require insurance companies to provide zero-deductible glass coverage when you buy comprehensive insurance. However, in Florida, coverage only applies to windshield glass, while in Kentucky and South Carolina, it applies to all glass on the vehicle. Does insurance cover windshield replacement in other states, though?

There are a few other states that require you to opt in for zero-deductible glass coverage:

• Arizona

• Connecticut

• Massachusetts

• Minnesota

• New York

If you don’t live in any of these states, your deductible will typically apply for a windshield replacement if your policy includes glass coverage.

How Can ConsumerShield Help You?

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