There are so many ways that a windshield can be damaged that it’s sometimes difficult to determine how it happened. But still, your first question is likely to be, “Does insurance cover windshield replacement?” The answer is yes, if you carry the right type of coverage. Here, we’ll tell you which types of coverage pay to repair or replace windshields, things to consider before filing a claim, and how to get a claim paid.

Which car insurance policies cover windshield replacement?

First, let’s get one thing out of the way. Whether insurance covers windshield replacement depends on how much car insurance you have. If you have liability-only auto insurance, it will not pay to repair or replace a windshield. That’s because liability coverage is meant to repair someone else’s property if it’s damaged due to your negligence. However, the following two policy types do cover windshield damage:

Comprehensive

As the name implies, a comprehensive policy covers a wide range of claims. In addition to covering vehicle repairs after things like collisions, fire, floods, and theft, comprehensive coverage covers you when there’s damage to one of your car’s windows.

Collision

Let’s say you have a car accident and your windshield is broken. Typically, it’s collision insurance that kicks in to repair a window damaged during a crash.

One thing to consider as you purchase auto insurance is whether you would like to add full glass coverage. When full glass coverage is in place, you don’t have to pay a deductible if a broken window needs to be repaired or replaced. As we’ll discuss later, a policyholder must normally come up with a deductible in order for a window to be repaired.

Should you repair or replace your damaged windshield?

There are different levels of windshield damage, and each needs to be treated in its own way.

According to Windshield Experts, if damage occurs to a side or back window, the window will probably need to be replaced because most side and back windows are made of tempered glass and cannot be repaired.

Most windshields, on the other hand, are made of laminated glass. Whether it’s repaired or replaced depends on several factors, including:

• Whether the glass is laminated (most modern windshields are)
• If the crack is longer than a dollar bill
• If the crack (or chip) is as deep as halfway into the windshield
• Whether the crack extends to the outer edge of the windshield.

Unless you deal with windshield damage regularly, it may be tough for you to determine things like the depth of the crack. Your best bet is to let an auto glass repair professional help you decide how serious the damage is and whether a repair or total replacement is the right move.

Does filing a windshield claim increase my insurance premium?

Any time you file an insurance claim, the insurer has the option of increasing your premium. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, insurers do not typically raise the rates of policyholders with minor, infrequent claims. If you’re a driver who regularly makes claims, you can expect a bump in premium.

Once you’ve had a glass repair professional look at the damage, it’s time to determine whether filing a claim for the repair or replacement is worth it to you. It may come down to the size of your car insurance deductible.

Factoring in your deductible

You’ll also need to factor in your deductible. A deductible is the amount of money a policyholder must pay toward a repair before the insurance company kicks in and pays the rest.

Let’s say your windshield is chipped, but you have a $250 deductible. According to AxleAddict.com, the cost to repair a windshield chip runs about $65. Since you’re expected to pay the first $250 anyway, it makes no sense to make an insurance claim.

However, the cost of windshield replacement ranges from $90 to $1,125. If the estimate to replace your windshield comes in at $900, that means that you’ll pay your deductible (which, in this scenario, is $250), and the remaining $650 will be paid by the insurance company.

Before proceeding, you may want to call your insurance agent to get a sense of whether your annual premium will increase if you move forward with a claim. Chances are, it won’t, particularly if you rarely make insurance claims. Still, it’s worth checking out.

Keep in mind: If you have zero-deductible glass coverage, paying a deductible is not an issue.

If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina and carry comprehensive coverage, your state does not allow insurance companies to charge a deductible for windshield repair or replacement. It’s another situation in which the type of car insurance you have makes a difference.

How to file a broken windshield claim

Filing a claim for a damaged windshield is easy and can be accomplished in a few steps:

• Gather your policy number and the date the damage occurred. If you know for certain how the damage occurred, have that information ready as well.
• Fill out a claim form online or by calling your insurance company.
• You’ll either be asked to take the vehicle to a glass repair shop, or a mobile glass repair company will be sent to your home or office to take care of the windshield.
• If you have a deductible due, be prepared to pay for your portion of the repair.

A damaged or broken windshield may not seem like a big deal, but it can quickly become a huge problem. That’s because a chip can turn into a large crack that disturbs your line of sight while driving. A simple crack can spider web out, causing the entire windshield to break. No doubt, your life is busy. Still, it’s vitally important to ensure that damage to your windshield is repaired or replaced as quickly as possible.