Does my car insurance cover damage to my windshield?

Falling debris on the highway. A flying rock during a hurricane. A sudden impact with a speeding car. All these can damage your car’s windshield, causing minor chips or dings or larger cracks that resemble dart boards.

Broken windshields can be expensive to fix, not to mention a safety hazard for you and other passengers. Understanding your insurance coverage can help you get repairs done quickly and inexpensively.

Does my car insurance cover damage to the windshield? This article will explain what types of car insurance coverage pay for windshield damage, what additional options are available, how much they cost, and whether you should repair or replace your windshield.

Car Insurance Coverage for Windshield Damage

Car insurance can cover damage to windshields, but this depends on your insurance coverage and what caused the damage to the windshield. As mandated by most states, the minimum coverage insurance generally doesn’t cover windshield damage to your vehicle.

Collision coverage, on the other hand, pays for damages caused by a collision with another car or object. Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by events other than collisions, such as animals, theft, storms, floods, or other natural disasters.

For example, if a large hailstone cracks your windshield in most states, this option covers you.

Read more: Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a road hazard?

Most lenders require car owners to have collision and comprehensive or full coverage car insurance. So if your car is financed, you are most likely covered for windshield damage.

If your policy doesn’t include these, you could still get your windshield repair covered by an insurance company in some circumstances. For example, if another driver is at fault in a collision and damages your windshield, you can file a claim with their insurance company.

Additionally, some insurance companies offer auto glass coverage, which pays for windshield damage.

Glass Coverage Car Insurance for Damage to the Windshield

Auto glass coverage is an optional add-on that some insurance companies offer. However, only a handful of insurance companies in certain states offer full glass coverage.

Also, Florida car insurance laws have made it mandatory for insurance companies to include windshield repair or replacement for those who have bought comprehensive coverage. This usually includes a low deductible or even no deductible at all. A few other states have similar mandates.

So again, look closer at your policy or ask your insurance company or agent to clarify how this works in your state. You may also want to read up on car insurance laws in your state.

The Cost of Car Insurance for Windshield Damage

The cost of windshield coverage varies depending on your insurance type, where you live, and more.

The average cost of car insurance varies by state. The national average for collision coverage is $29 monthly, while comprehensive costs $13 monthly. For full coverage, you’ll typically pay around $90 per month.

In the case of most insurance companies, additional full glass coverage costs a few dollars a month, totaling anywhere from $5 to $30 annually.

Should I use car insurance to cover damage to my windshield?

Average windshield replacement prices could surpass $350 in 2023, so replacing your windshield is a significant expense.

However, if your policy doesn’t include any of these, you could still get your windshield repair covered by an insurance company in some circumstances. For example, if another driver is at fault in a collision and damages your windshield, you can file a claim with their insurance company.

However, if you need to use your comprehensive or collision coverage to pay for the damage, compare the deductible amount and the repair estimate.

For instance, if the windshield repair costs $200 and the deductible is $500, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for repairs. However, if your windshield replacement costs $500 and your deductible is $250, you’ll only pay half.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Windshield Damage

Case Study 1: Insufficient Coverage

Sarah’s car was parked on the street when a tree branch fell during a storm and cracked her windshield. Unfortunately, she only had the minimum coverage insurance, which doesn’t cover windshield damage. As a result, she had to pay out of pocket for the full cost of replacing her windshield, which exceeded $350.

Case Study 2: Comprehensive Coverage to the Rescue

Mark’s car was hit by a rock thrown up by another vehicle while driving on the highway, causing a significant crack in his windshield. Fortunately, he had comprehensive coverage as part of his car insurance policy. He filed a claim with his insurance company, and after paying the deductible, the insurance company covered the remaining cost of repairing the windshield.

Case Study 3: Full Glass Coverage Benefit

Lisa’s car was parked when a stray baseball hit her windshield, causing a small chip. She had opted for full glass coverage as an additional add-on to her car insurance policy. Since the chip was repairable, she didn’t have to pay any deductible, and her insurance company covered the entire cost of the repair.

Car Insurance Coverage for Windshield Damage: The Bottom Line

While windshields can be expensive to repair or replace, holding comprehensive or collision coverage can protect you from paying for windshield damage. In some states, full glass coverage and insurance laws give you the benefit of no deductible, so you can easily file a claim to fix your windshield.