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Will Windshield Replacement Increase Insurance – An intact windshield helps ensure safe driving, so you should repair or replace a cracked or broken windshield immediately. Car insurance sometimes covers windshield replacement, depending on the coverage you choose and the car insurer. Here’s what you need to know about how car insurance covers windshield replacement.
A car insurance policy may cover windscreen damage, but it all depends on the type of cover you buy. You may need to meet specific criteria for your policy to pay for a windshield repair or replacement. For example, you may have to pay your deductible first out of pocket before your insurance kicks in and covers the rest. Some car insurers provide glass covers without a deductible.1
Will Windshield Replacement Increase Insurance
You may also need to prove the cause of the windscreen damage as some insurers only provide cover for this in certain situations. Read the terms of your policy to determine how it applies to windshield damage.
Windshield Repair: Does My Car Insurance Cover That?
There are several types of auto insurance coverage for windshield repair and replacement, offering different aspects of coverage. Your options include:
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from events that are not an accident. These can include floods, storms, gravel hitting your windshield or vandalism. In most cases, this type of coverage covers a certain amount and only applies after you pay a deductible. While adding comprehensive coverage to your policy costs more than basic car insurance coverage, it can give you more protection for your car. It may even be required if you have a car loan.
This type of insurance covers damage to vehicles caused by accidents. Just like comprehensive coverage, collision coverage usually has certain policy limits and involves paying your deductible before the coverage goes into effect. If the damage to your windshield results from an accident after rear-ending another car, for example, collision coverage may apply.
A combination of comprehensive coverage, collision coverage, and liability coverage, full coverage insurance protects you against a wide variety of damages. With full coverage, you can get coverage for windshield damage, regardless of whether it’s caused by an accident.
Toyota Tacoma Windshield Replacement Guide (costs & More)
If purchased, full auto glass coverage covers the entire cost of windshield repair and replacement with no excess required. If you have comprehensive coverage and live in Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina, your windshield replacement deductible will be waived as long as you meet your coverage requirements. Other states may offer full windshield coverage as an add-on or rider for an additional cost.
Whether you need to repair or replace your windshield depends on the size and location of the damage, the number of cracks, and your deductible. If you have a small chip in your windshield, for example, a simple repair might make sense.
However, if your windshield has a huge crack or broken glass, you will most likely need to replace it. If you are unsure whether you need a repair or replacement, consult a professional at a trusted repair shop.
Filing a windshield claim will not usually affect your premium, but it can increase if you have multiple glass claims in a short period of time. Consider this when deciding whether it makes sense to file a claim.
What You Should Know Before Getting A Windshield Replacement
If the damage to your windshield only involves a few chips or a crack that is six inches or smaller, it can usually be repaired. While windshield repair costs depend on factors such as location, auto glass service provider, and the type of damage, a single chip repair costs about $60 to $100. Repairing larger chips and cracks will likely cost more, closer to $125 and $150. You may earn a discount for repairing additional chips on the same windshield.
You may need to replace your windshield if the damage exceeds six inches in length, punches a hole through your windshield, adds to several existing minor repairs, or is directly in your line of sight. The cost of a windshield replacement depends on the type of vehicle you drive, your location, the windshield replacement service, and more. A windshield replacement typically costs $250 to $400 for a non-luxury vehicle. Owners of luxury vehicles may have to pay between $1,000 and $4,500 for a windshield replacement on the higher end.
Because any windshield damage can affect your safety on the road, it’s important to file a claim as soon as possible. To do this, follow these steps.
Most insurance companies allow you to file a claim online or over the phone. If another party has caused you damage, your insurer may need to refer you or make the claim through the other party’s insurer. When you file a claim, be prepared to provide the following type of information:
How To Replace Your Windshield With Replacement Insurance
After you file a claim, your insurance company will likely provide you with a list of trusted repair shops that partner with them. These may include local auto repair shops, nationally recognized shops or mobile shops. If you find another shop you want to work with, you’ll need to get approval from your auto insurance company first to avoid not having coverage.
You will need to take your vehicle to a glass repair shop or arrange for them to come to you to repair or replace the windshield. You will probably need to provide the service with the following information:
If your auto insurance policy requires you to pay a deductible to repair or replace your windshield, you may have to pay that amount directly to the auto glass shop. Alternatively, if the windshield repair or replacement is covered, you can pay out of pocket and ask your insurance company to reimburse you. You must notify your insurance provider in advance of the repair costs so that you are reimbursed in full. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where your repair costs exceed your insurer’s reimbursement limit.
The type of policy you have and the cause of the windscreen damage will determine whether your cover applies. If you have collision coverage, for example, you can expect coverage for a cracked windshield after an accident. Primary liability coverage does not cover your windshield damage. Check the terms of your policy before assuming your coverage covers a windshield repair or replacement.
Windshield Replacement Cost Guide
The out-of-pocket amount you’ll have to pay before your insurance policy kicks in, the auto glass deductible covers the rest of your windshield repair or replacement. If you live in a zero-deductible state, such as Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, you will not have a deductible for windshield damage. If you’re not in a zero-deductible state, find out your policy’s deductible and the cost of the repair or replacement. If the difference is minimal, it might make sense to foot the bill yourself.
Anna Baluch is a Cleveland-based personal finance and insurance expert. With an MBA from Roosevelt University, she enjoys writing educational content that helps people make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen online in many publications, including Freedom Debt Relief, Credit Karma, RateGenius, and Balance. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.
Katie uses her knowledge and experience as a licensed Massachusetts property and casualty agent to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Constantine has led data teams in multiple industries, including insurance, travel and biology. He led the engineering team for more than three years.
Car Insurance Policy: Ways To Deal With A Broken Windshield
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When you file an insurance claim, even for auto glass replacement or repair, your insurer has the option to increase your rate. While one claim may not result in a rate increase, the more claims on your file, the more you increase your chances of a rate increase.
If the damage is your fault, even if it’s your first claim, your rates are guaranteed to go up. This is because when the provider considers the request,
