Auto Insurance And Glass Nicks: What's Covered?

Whether your auto insurance covers nicks in the glass depends on the type of insurance you have. If you have comprehensive coverage, windshield replacement or glass repair will likely be covered by your insurance. Comprehensive coverage is an optional insurance coverage that pays for damage to your car not related to a collision, including natural disasters, storms, and damage caused by hitting an animal. Collision coverage, on the other hand, pays for physical damage to your car from hitting another car or a stationary object. Some companies also offer auto glass coverage, which can apply to windshield chips, cracks, and full replacements.

Comprehensive coverage

If you have comprehensive coverage, you should be covered for auto glass repair, including a full windshield replacement. Comprehensive coverage can pay for a cracked or broken windshield, minus your deductible. However, if your glass can be repaired instead of replaced, you may not have to pay anything.

It's important to note that comprehensive coverage is separate from collision coverage, which covers damage to your windshield or glass in the event of a car accident or collision with another vehicle or stationary object. Comprehensive coverage typically covers glass damage caused by events outside of a collision, such as falling debris or a tree branch falling on your car.

The cost of repairing or replacing your windshield will depend on your vehicle's make, model, age, and the extent of the damage. If you have a small chip or nick in your windshield, it may be repairable without needing a full replacement. It's best to get these repairs done as soon as possible to avoid further damage and to keep costs down.

Additionally, some states have laws that require zero deductibles for glass claims (e.g., Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida) or offer a zero-deductible glass option (e.g., Connecticut, Arizona, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York). Check with your insurance provider to understand the specific details of your comprehensive coverage and any applicable deductibles for glass repairs or replacements.

Collision coverage

The cost of repairing or replacing a windshield under collision coverage depends on several factors, including the extent of the damage, the make and model of your car, and the type of glass used. If the damage is minor, such as a small chip or crack, repairing the windshield may be sufficient. However, if the damage is more extensive, replacing the entire windshield may be necessary.

It is important to note that collision coverage may not cover pre-existing damage or damage that occurs while driving a vehicle that you do not own. Additionally, the cost of repairing or replacing a windshield under collision coverage may vary depending on your specific insurance policy and the state you live in.

In some cases, you may be able to file a claim against the other driver's insurance if they are at fault for the accident that caused the windshield damage. This would fall under their property damage liability coverage.

Full glass coverage

If your windshield is damaged, you may be able to repair it if the crack or chip is less than six inches long, smaller than a quarter in diameter, and not located in the driver's line of vision or the edge of the windshield. Repairs are made by injecting a heated resin into the crack or hole and may be made at no cost to you if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you are unsatisfied with the repair, or if the crack or chip is too large to repair, you can opt to replace the windshield, but your deductible may apply.

Deductibles

A deductible is the amount you must pay towards repairing your vehicle when making a claim. In the context of auto insurance, if you have a $3,000 claim after a hailstorm and a $500 deductible, your insurance company would pay $2,500 and you would pay the remaining $500.

In the case of windshield replacement, you will need to pay your deductible before your insurance company starts paying. For example, if your comprehensive deductible is $500 and your windshield replacement costs $700, you would pay $500 and your insurance will cover the remaining $200.

Some insurance companies offer separate windshield deductibles, with \$0 or $100 deductible options for glass-only replacement claims. This is because windshield and glass damage are some of the most common comprehensive claims made.

Some states have introduced a zero-dollar glass deductible, which means that drivers can replace damaged glass in their vehicles at no cost to them. These states include Kentucky, Arizona, South Carolina, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut. In these states, insurance companies are not permitted to charge a deductible for repairing or replacing your windshield, so windshield repair/replacement is free if you carry comprehensive insurance.

If you live in a state without a zero-dollar deductible law, your insurance company may still waive or reduce your deductible. Major insurance companies that waive windshield deductibles include Nationwide, Allstate, American Family, Liberty Mutual, Progressive, State Farm, Travelers, and USAA.

Repair or replace

Whether you should repair or replace your car window depends on several factors, including the impact on visibility, safety, and the size, depth, and location of the chip or crack.

Repairing Car Glass

If the damage is minor, repairing the chip or small crack can restore the structural stability of the windshield and bring back the original visibility. Repairing a crack in a timely manner will help prevent it from spreading. Car glass technicians can fix most minor cracks and chips in about 30 minutes, and the cost is relatively low. A well-repaired windshield should completely restore both durability and visibility.

Replacing Car Glass

A windshield replacement refers to the complete removal of the broken windshield and installation of a new one. This is a more detailed procedure than a repair, and it's important to get it done by an expert. A competent technician will have experience installing window glasses and windshields for all makes and models of cars. Professionals will ensure the new auto glass has no leak issues.

When to Repair

• If fixing the damage will not reduce the safety of the car in the case of impact or collision
• If the crack is shorter than 12 inches or the chip is smaller than 1 inch
• If only the outer layer of the glass is damaged
• If the damage is not close to the outer margin of the glass

When to Replace

• If the windshield is damaged to the point that it impairs the driver's visibility
• If the crack is longer than 14 inches or the chip is larger than 3 inches
• If the inner layer of glass has been broken
• If the damage is near or reaches a corner or edge of the windshield
• If there are technological systems with components embedded into the windshield that may be affected

Frequently asked questions