Does Insurance Cover a Cracked Windshield?

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Key Takeaways

With comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, filing a glass claim may help repair or replace your cracked windshield if the damage came from a rock, hail or tree branch.
In some cases, it may make financial sense not to file a claim and just pay for the repair yourself, especially if the damage is small and a quick, affordable fix.
To extend your protection and avoid paying a deductible altogether, you can add full auto glass car insurance coverage to your policy.

How Do I Know if My Insurance Covers Windshield Replacement?

Are you wondering, “Will insurance cover a windshield replacement?” If you have comprehensive car insurance coverage, you likely have basic broken windshield insurance that includes a deductible. You may also have the option to pay a little extra for full auto glass insurance coverage.

Comprehensive Coverage

If you have comprehensive insurance, it may help pay to fix glass damage to your windshield from a:

Rock
Tree branch
Hail

However, you may have to pay the deductible on your auto insurance to file a claim. Sometimes your deductible may be higher than the cost to fix the damaged windshield. Depending on your deductible amount, you may decide to pay for the damage yourself unless your windshield needs to be replaced completely.

Comprehensive coverage also helps safeguard your vehicle against events like theft, fire or collision with an animal.

Full Auto Glass Coverage

Most insurance providers allow you to add auto glass insurance coverage to your policy. With full auto glass coverage, you usually won’t pay a deductible. That means you won’t have to pay money out of pocket for windshield repairs. Sometimes called windshield insurance, this type of policy also covers windshields that need to be replaced.

Replacing vs. Repairing Your Windshield

Important:

A chip or crack in your windshield can quickly grow and block your vision while driving.

That tiny rock might have only made a small chip in your windshield, but if you don’t get it fixed as soon as possible, it could become a bigger problem. A chip or crack can block your vision when driving and can become a much larger crack quickly.

A windshield specialist can help you determine whether your windshield needs to be replaced or if they can do a glass repair. If the crack is shorter than a dollar bill, the specialist may be able to repair the cracked windshield.

If you do need your windshield replaced, it can be done with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) glass or an aftermarket automotive windshield. OEM glass is the same type of glass that was originally installed in your car. This glass is manufactured according to your car maker’s regulations.

Aftermarket automotive windshields are made by manufacturers that don’t have contracts with your automaker. This means they don’t have to follow certain guidelines that regulate glass thickness, durability or color.

driver protected by broken windshield insurance

How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Crack in a Windshield?

Windshield repairs tend to be less expensive than replacements, sometimes as little as $100. Specific costs will depend on several factors, like what kind of vehicle you drive, the size of your windshield and the amount of damage. Contact a windshield specialist for a quote.

What Is the Average Windshield Replacement Cost?

According to Kelley Blue Book, a windshield replacement is typically $300-$600 for older cars or more than $1,000 for newer cars.²

Should I File an Insurance Claim for a Cracked Windshield?

If the cost to fix the cracked windshield is less than your car insurance deductible, it may not be worth filing comprehensive claims. You would just pay for it out of pocket. If your insurance policy includes full auto glass coverage, you don’t have to pay a deductible to fix your cracked windshield.

When you purchase car insurance, you choose a deductible. This is the amount you have to pay before the insurance company will pay your claim. If you decide on a lower deductible, your insurance premium will be higher. If you want to pay less for insurance, you can choose a larger deductible, but you’ll have higher out-of-pocket costs during a claim.

Will Car Insurance Pay for a Cracked Windshield in My State?

You may be wondering, “Is a cracked windshield covered by insurance in my state?” State laws and state car insurance requirements vary. There are three states that do not allow insurance companies to charge a deductible for windshield repairs and replacement, even if you don’t have full auto glass coverage.

These states are referred to as zero-deductible states with free windshield replacement. Insurance companies in these states cannot charge a deductible for glass replacement or repair:

Get a Quote for Insurance To Help Cover Cracked Windshields

How do I know if my insurance covers a windshield replacement? When do I file a claim for an auto glass repair? Get answers to all your questions and more with a car insurance quote from The Hartford today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cracked Windshields and Insurance Coverage

How Much Is a Deductible for a Cracked Windshield?

Most car insurance companies allow you to pick between a range of deductibles, so you can choose what works best for your budget, whether that’s $500 or $1,000. Keep in mind: if you have full auto glass coverage on your policy, you typically won’t be subject to a deductible amount.

Should I Use Insurance To Replace a Windshield?

If the cost to repair or replace your cracked windshield is higher than your deductible, it’s probably worth filing a claim. If the windshield damage is from a pebble on the road or debris from the car in front of you, your insurance rates are not likely to go up from a claim.

What Does a $500 Deductible With Full Glass Mean?

If you have a $500 deductible to repair your windshield, that means after you pay $500 out of pocket, your insurance will kick in to cover the rest of the costs to repair your car.