Alyssa Lane
A cracked windshield is a common occurrence that can happen for a variety of reasons, from road debris to storm damage. When this happens, the first step is to notify your insurance provider and file a claim. Depending on your state and insurance policy, your insurance should cover the cost of repairs or replacement, minus your deductible. Comprehensive coverage typically covers windshield damage, but collision coverage may also apply if the damage occurs during a car accident. It's important to get a cracked windshield fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage and ensure your safety on the road.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to file a claim | As soon as possible after the damage occurs and before any repairs are made |
| Comprehensive coverage | Covers windshield damage in many circumstances, but a deductible may be required |
| Collision coverage | Typically covers windshield damage in a car accident after a deductible is paid |
| Full glass coverage | Some insurers offer this add-on, which pays for windshield replacement with no deductible |
| Deductible | The amount you pay out of pocket before the insurer offers compensation; varies by state and insurer |
| Premium impact | Filing a claim may raise your premium, depending on your insurer and how often you file claims |
| Repair vs. replacement | Mild damage may be repaired depending on size and location; cracks within the driver's field of view must be replaced |
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What You'll Learn
Comprehensive insurance and collision insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your windshield in a wide range of circumstances, including road debris, hail, falling tree branches, vandalism, theft, or an animal collision. Comprehensive coverage typically pays to replace your windshield after you meet your deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket when you file a claim. Some states, such as Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, do not allow insurers to apply a deductible for windshield replacement if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage is an optional addition to your policy and is not legally required in any state. It is important to note that comprehensive insurance does not cover damage to your windshield in the event of an accident; in such cases, collision insurance is required.
Collision insurance covers damage to your windshield in the event of a collision with another vehicle or object, such as a building or guardrail. Collision coverage typically covers the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield after you pay your deductible. If your windshield is damaged in an accident and the other driver is at fault, you can file a claim against their insurance to cover the cost of repairs. Collision insurance is typically coupled with comprehensive insurance and covers any damage that occurs due to collisions.
In some cases, insurance companies offer full glass coverage as an add-on to comprehensive insurance, which waives the deductible for glass repair or replacement. This option may not be available in all states, so it is important to check with your insurance provider. Additionally, some states, such as Florida, have a windshield replacement law that waives deductibles for broken windshields if the driver carries comprehensive coverage.
It is important to review your insurance policy to confirm that you have the necessary coverage for windshield repair or replacement. Comprehensive insurance typically covers a wide range of circumstances, while collision insurance is specific to accidents. Depending on the cause of the damage, either comprehensive or collision coverage may pay to replace a windshield.
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Repair or replacement
If your windshield is cracked, the first step is to notify your insurance provider. You can do this by filing a claim online or by speaking with your insurance agent. It's best to notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. If the damage was caused by vandalism, you'll need to notify the police and get a copy of the report, as this is an essential aspect of your claim in many cases.
The next step is to get your car inspected. Some insurers may require you to go to their chosen auto shop for this. It's important to work with glass companies and auto shops that are approved by your insurance provider. Depending on your state's car insurance requirements and your policy, if you file an auto glass claim, you'll only need to pay your deductible, and your insurance should cover the rest of the bill if the damage qualifies for coverage. Some states, like Florida, waive deductibles for broken windshields if the driver has comprehensive coverage.
In general, it's worth filing a claim for glass or windshield damage if the repair cost is higher than your car insurance deductible. For example, if your windshield replacement costs $400 and your deductible is $250, your insurer will pay the remaining $150. However, keep in mind that making a claim of any kind may cause your premium to increase.
Whether your car insurance policy covers windshield replacement depends on your coverage. Comprehensive coverage typically pays to replace your windshield after you meet your deductible. Collision coverage may also apply if your windshield is damaged in a car accident. Some companies offer specific glass replacement options, such as full glass coverage, which pays for windshield replacement with no deductible.
In some cases, your windshield may only need to be repaired rather than replaced. With some insurance providers, if your windshield can be repaired instead of replaced, you won't have to pay anything. However, it's important to get rock chips and cracks fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage. If the crack is directly within the driver's field of view, the windshield must be replaced, but a crack smaller than a certain size outside of the driver's field of view may only require repair.
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Deductibles
The deductible is the amount you pay to cover damages before your insurance company pays your claim. Deductibles are one of the customisable factors in most insurance plans and can be found listed in your auto policy terms. For example, if your vehicle requires $1200 worth of repairs and your deductible is $500, you pay $500 and your insurer covers the remaining $700.
If you have comprehensive coverage, you likely have basic cracked windshield insurance that includes a deductible. However, you may also have the option to pay a little extra for full auto glass insurance coverage, which usually doesn't require a deductible. If you have full auto glass coverage, you don't have to pay a deductible to fix your cracked windshield.
Whether you need to pay a deductible or not will also depend on the cost of the repair or replacement. If the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield is higher than your deductible, it's probably worth filing a claim. If the cost is less than your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim, and you may choose to pay out of pocket.
Some states have laws that waive deductibles for broken windshields if the driver carries comprehensive coverage. For example, Progressive offers a $0 deductible option for glass-only replacement claims in some states.
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Filing a claim
If your windshield is cracked, the first step to take is to find out whether your insurance company covers windshields. Typically, you need to have comprehensive insurance to cover a cracked windshield. Comprehensive insurance is optional and not legally required in any state. It is usually coupled with collision insurance and covers any damage that can happen to your vehicle due to acts of God.
Once you have determined that your insurance company covers windshields, you should file a claim as soon as possible and before any repairs are made. The longer you wait to get your windshield fixed, the more likely the crack will spread. You can file a claim online or talk to your insurance agent. If the damage occurred while you were driving, pull over as soon as possible and report your claim immediately. If the crack was caused by an act of vandalism, you will need to notify the police and get a copy of the report, as this is an essential aspect of your claim in many cases. If it wasn't vandalism, you can skip this step and go straight to getting your car inspected. Make sure you work with glass companies and auto shops that your insurance provider approves of.
In some states, insurance companies cannot apply a deductible to windshield repair, so be sure to check your local laws. If you are outside of those states, you may still have access to a no-deductible option. If you do have a deductible, you will need to pay this before your insurer will offer any compensation. If your repair cost is lower than your car insurance deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim.
If your windshield was damaged in a car accident and the other driver was at fault, you can file a claim against their insurance to cover the cost of fixing your windshield.
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Premium increases
Whether a cracked windshield claim will increase your insurance premium depends on several factors. Firstly, it depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. Comprehensive coverage typically covers windshield replacement, whereas collision coverage usually only applies if the windshield is damaged in a car accident. If you have liability coverage only, your insurance will not cover windshield damage or replacement. It's important to review your policy or contact your insurer to understand your specific coverage.
Secondly, the impact on your premium may depend on your insurer and your claims history. If you have made multiple claims in a short period, a new windshield claim could potentially increase your premium. Insurers often offer a claim-free discount, so even a single auto glass claim may affect your premium for years. However, some insurers may not increase your premium unless you have made numerous recent claims.
Additionally, the cost of repairing or replacing a cracked windshield should be weighed against your deductible. If the repair cost is lower than your deductible, it may be more cost-effective to pay for the repair yourself rather than filing a claim, as this could help you maintain a claim-free discount. On the other hand, if the repair cost exceeds your deductible, filing a claim may be worth considering, especially if the damage qualifies for coverage under your policy.
Finally, it's important to note that some states have specific laws regarding windshield replacement claims. For example, in Kentucky, Florida, and South Carolina, insurers cannot apply a deductible to a covered windshield replacement. In other states, you may be able to purchase optional full glass coverage that will pay for windshield replacement without a deductible. Understanding the laws and coverage options in your state can help you make an informed decision about filing a claim.
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Frequently asked questions
Windshield damage is typically covered by car insurance, but the extent of the coverage depends on your insurance provider and policy.
Comprehensive coverage typically covers windshield damage, but you usually have to pay a deductible first. Collision coverage may also apply if the windshield was damaged in a car accident.
First, notify your insurance provider as soon as possible. If the crack was caused by an act of vandalism, you will need to notify the police and get a copy of the report. Then, get your car inspected by an auto shop approved by your insurance provider.
Whether your premium will increase depends on your insurer and how often you file claims. Some users have reported that their premium increased after filing a claim, while others have reported no change.
If the crack is within the driver's field of view, the windshield must be replaced, regardless of its size.
