Does auto insurance cover a cracked windshield?
Comprehensive car insurance will cover a cracked windshield. Many states require your auto insurance company to repair your cracked windshield for free. Learn more.
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Kalyn Johnson
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
Kalyn grew up in an insurance family with a grandfather, aunt, and uncle leading successful careers as insurance agents. She soon found she has similar interests and followed in their footsteps. After spending about ten years working in the insurance industry as both an appraiser dispatcher and a senior property claims adjuster, she decided to combine her years of insurance experience with another...
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
UPDATED: Jan 6, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
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: Jan 6, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We partner with top insurance providers. This doesn’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own.
On This Page
- A basic auto insurance policy doesn’t provide coverage for any physical damage to your vehicle
- While third-party coverage is required by law, you have the option to add first-party coverage that will pay for various types of damage to your vehicle. This coverage is referred to as comprehensive and collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage pays for damage caused by incidents like fire, theft, vandalism, explosion, flood, and collision with a live animal
- Comprehensive also provides coverage for broken windshields and auto glass unless the broken glass is the result of an accident
- If you need to file a glass claim, some companies will waive your deductible if the windshield can be repaired instead of replaced
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about filing an insurance claim is having an accident. While many people use their insurance to help pay for damages sustained in an accident, there are other scenarios where your auto insurance can help you protect your finances.
If you have a broken windshield, your insurance may cover it.
Cracked and broken windshields are only covered when you carry physical damage coverage on your policy.
Since physical damage coverage is optional, not all policies provide coverage for cracked auto glass claims. If you want to build a policy that provides you with glass coverage, here’s what you need to know. Start exploring different insurance companies by entering your zip code in our FREE comparison tool. It’s never too late to go comparison shopping.
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What does a basic auto insurance policy cover?
Does State Farm cover windshield damage? Does Progressive cover windshield chip repair? Does Geico cover windshield replacement? All of those questions are natural, but it comes down to the type of auto insurance policy you have, more so than the company you choose. Buying a basic auto insurance policy may save you money when you don’t file a claim.
However, selecting minimum coverage requirements puts you at risk of having to pay for your own repair bills.
Under state law, you’re only required to buy third-party coverage that pays for damages that you cause when you’re in an accident. Common state requirements include:
- Bodily Injury Liability – pays for third-party medical bills and funeral expenses
- Property Damage Liability – pays to repair property that you don’t own in an at-fault accident
What is physical damage coverage?
Physical damage coverage is an optional form of coverage that you can add to your insurance policy for an added premium.
The coverage will pay to either repair or replace your covered auto if you have a covered loss. Physical damage coverage consists of both comprehensive and collision coverage:
- Comprehensive – pays for damage caused by fire, theft, vandalism, explosion, flood and other non-collision perils
- Collision – pays to repair damages sustained in a collision with one or more objects
How much does full coverage cost?
The average premium for a full coverage policy in the United States is around $841.00 per year. It costs around $297 per year for collision coverage and $138 per year for comprehensive coverage. Check out our article on the Average Auto Insurance Cost to learn more about the cost of auto insurance for different policy types and areas of the country.
The actual cost for full coverage is based on the vehicle type, your region, your driving record, and other rating factors.
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Which coverage pays for windshield damage?
If you’re specifically worried about buying coverage for your auto glass, you need to be sure to add comprehensive coverage to your policy.
Not only does comprehensive pay when your car is stolen or vandalized, but it also pays for glass breakage that’s sustained in different scenarios.
If a rock flies into your windshield while you’re driving or your car is parked or something falls from a tree, your comprehensive coverage will help cover the cost to get your windshield repaired.
It will even help cover the cost to repair other auto glass if it is damaged in a covered loss.
Is there a deductible to file a glass claim?
Glass claims are unique. Some companies will cover the entire cost to repair a windshield and others will charge you your comprehensive deductible before they will pay. How much does a new windshield cost to replace? The average cost to replace a windshield is around $200. Better to have your insurance company pay rather than you!
It is important to check with your insurer to see if your comprehensive deductible applies to glass claims before you select a high deductible.
Most companies do charge a deductible when you need a full windshield replacement. You may be able to get your deductible waived if you have a chip that can be repaired using resin. This kind of repair is an exception because it saves the company money in the end.
See if there is an endorsement that you can add to your policy to coverage glass claims in full.
Which states require insurance companies to cover windshield replacement?
Several states have laws that require insurance companies to cover the cost of windshield replacement without requiring a deductible or co-pay. These states include:
It’s important to note that the specific requirements and limitations for windshield replacement coverage can vary by state and insurance provider, so it’s best to check with your insurance company to determine the details of your coverage.
If you’re not happy with your current insurer, you should shop for car insurance that will cover all of your needs.
You can easily compare the cost of insurance with different deductibles by using an auto insurance comparison tool. Enter your personal information, select your coverage, and compare quotes instantly.
Start comparing insurance quote today. Just enter your zip code into your free tool below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is windshield replacement covered by insurance?
It depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance policy will typically cover the cost of windshield replacement, minus any deductible or co-pay.
How much does it cost to replace a windshield with insurance?
The cost of windshield replacement with insurance can vary depending on the specific details of your insurance policy, such as the deductible amount and the extent of your coverage. In some cases, windshield replacement may be fully covered by your insurance provider.
Can I choose my own windshield replacement company?
In many cases, insurance providers will allow you to choose your own windshield replacement company, as long as they are licensed and meet certain criteria. However, it’s important to check with your insurance provider to determine their specific policies.
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Kalyn Johnson
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
Kalyn grew up in an insurance family with a grandfather, aunt, and uncle leading successful careers as insurance agents. She soon found she has similar interests and followed in their footsteps. After spending about ten years working in the insurance industry as both an appraiser dispatcher and a senior property claims adjuster, she decided to combine her years of insurance experience with another...
Insurance Claims Support & Sr. Adjuster
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.