It starts as a tiny chip, maybe from a pebble on the highway. A few cold mornings later, it has grown into a crack that runs across the glass. Windshield damage is one of the most common car problems, and it is also one of the most confusing when it comes to insurance. Does your policy pay? Will you owe a deductible? Is it worth making a claim at all? This guide gives you straight answers and explains how to decide.
The short answer
If you have comprehensive coverage, your policy generally covers windshield damage from causes other than a crash, such as a flying rock, hail, a falling branch, vandalism or a temperature change. If the windshield breaks in an accident, collision coverage typically applies instead. If you carry only liability insurance, it does not cover damage to your own car, so you would pay for the glass yourself. Our guide on whether full coverage is worth it explains how these coverages differ.
Your deductible decides what you actually pay
In most states, a glass claim is subject to your comprehensive deductible. If your deductible is $500 and the replacement costs $400, a claim pays nothing, because the cost is below the deductible. If the replacement costs $900, you pay $500 and the insurer pays $400. This is why many drivers decide to pay small glass repairs themselves.
A few states change the math. Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina do not allow insurers to charge a deductible on covered windshield claims when you carry comprehensive coverage. In some other states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York, you can buy separate full glass coverage with a very low or zero deductible. Outside these states, many insurers still offer a glass endorsement. Ask what you have. Rules and offers change, so check your own policy, and your state’s department of insurance can confirm what applies.
Repair or replace?
Small chips and short cracks can often be repaired. A common rule of thumb is that damage shorter than about six inches, and not in the driver’s main line of sight, may be repairable. A repair injects resin into the damage, stops it from spreading and often takes under an hour. Industry sources put the typical cost of a repair at roughly $100 to $250 or less, and many insurers pay for repairs with no deductible, because it costs them less than a replacement and keeps the damage from getting worse.
Larger cracks, damage at the edges of the glass or damage that blocks the driver’s view usually mean replacement. Replacement costs more, particularly on newer cars. Many modern cars have cameras and sensors behind the windshield for lane-keeping and automatic braking, and these need to be recalibrated after a new windshield goes in. That adds time and cost, so replacement can run to several hundred dollars or more.
Why cold weather makes it worse
A chip is a weak spot, and glass reacts to temperature. In cold weather, the glass contracts, and sudden changes, like blasting the heater on a frozen windshield, can make a small chip spread into a long crack. Never pour hot water onto frozen glass, and warm the car gradually. If you spot a chip, get it fixed sooner rather than later. Our article on snow and ice accidents covers other winter claims.
Will a glass claim raise your rates?
A comprehensive claim is generally treated as a no-fault event, because there is little you could have done to prevent a rock from hitting your windshield. It does not count as an at-fault accident. Many insurers and glass companies say that a single glass claim often has little or no effect on your premium. That is not a promise, since practices vary by company and state, and several claims in a short time can change how an insurer views you. If you are unsure, ask your insurer before filing. Our article on why car insurance goes up when you have no accident explains other reasons your price may change.
Should you claim, or pay yourself?
- Claim when the repair is well above your deductible, when your state or policy waives the deductible, or when your insurer covers chip repairs at no cost.
- Pay yourself when the cost is below your deductible, particularly for a small chip repair.
- Do not wait. A small chip that spreads can turn a cheap repair into a full replacement.
Steps to take after you notice damage
- Photograph the chip or crack, and note the date and what happened.
- Check your policy for comprehensive coverage, your deductible and any glass coverage.
- Call your insurer or use its app. Many companies can schedule a repair and arrange mobile service at your home or work.
- Ask whether they have a preferred glass shop, and whether you may choose your own. In many cases you can.
- If your car has driver-assistance cameras, make sure that the shop recalibrates them after a replacement.
- Keep your invoice and any recalibration paperwork.
Our guide on how to file a car insurance claim explains what to expect if you do go through your insurer.
Do not ignore it
A cracked windshield is more than a cosmetic problem. The glass is part of the structure of the car and helps the airbags and the roof work properly in a crash. A crack across your field of view can block your vision, and in some states it can cause the car to fail an inspection or earn you a ticket. If the crack spreads quickly or sits in front of the driver, avoid driving until it is fixed.
How to lower your risk
- Keep a safe distance from trucks and vehicles on gravel roads, since they throw up stones.
- Repair chips quickly.
- Park in a garage or shade when you can, and avoid extreme temperature swings on the glass.
- Use a proper ice scraper and de-icer rather than hot water.
- Replace worn wipers, which can scratch glass and drag grit across it.
Check your coverage this month
Look at your declarations page and find your comprehensive deductible, and whether you have glass coverage. If your deductible is high, a low-deductible glass endorsement might be worth the small extra premium, especially in a place with gravel roads or harsh winters. Our guide on how to choose a deductible explains the trade-off. If you want to see other options, you can compare quotes and ask about glass coverage.
Sources
- Insurance.com: does car insurance cover a cracked windshield?
- Progressive: windshield glass repair versus replacement
- The Hartford: does insurance cover cracked windshields?
- Auto Glass Now: state windshield replacement laws
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This article is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by insurer and state.