CarInsurance.com Insights
- If you carry comprehensive coverage, Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina are the only states that waive the deductible for windshield repair or replacement.
- Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York let you add separate glass coverage with no deductible on your glass claim.
- Even if you don’t live in one of these eight states, you can ask your insurer about a $0-deductible glass coverage option. Some carriers offer it nationwide.
- Replacing a windshield runs from $350-$550.
What states have free windshield replacement?
Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina are the only states where your car insurance must cover windshield replacement with no deductible, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket. Five more states, Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York, let you add separate glass coverage with a $0 deductible.
If you carry comprehensive coverage and live in one of these states, your insurer can’t charge you a deductible for a covered windshield claim.
Which states have free windshield replacement?
The free windshield replacement states are Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina, which waive the deductible for windshield repair or replacement. These are often called free windshield or zero-deductible states.
“This means you can file a windshield claim for repair or replacement without a deductible being applied,” said Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute. “Most auto insurers have preferred vendors that repair or replace windshields and directly bill the insurer so the policyholder never has to pay anything out-of-pocket.”
Technically, however, this isn’t a completely free windshield replacement. You still have to pay for comprehensive insurance coverage as part of your auto policy to claim your windshield.
State laws differ on which glass claims come without a deductible. Florida only waives the deductible for front windshields, but Kentucky and South Carolina cover all glass replacements without a deductible.
Separate glass coverage with no deductible
Even if you don’t live in a free windshield state, you may have the option to buy glass coverage without a deductible. The following states offer separate glass coverage with no deductible on your glass claim:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New York
In Massachusetts, you can buy glass coverage with free windshield repair or replacement, or a $100 deductible separate from your comprehensive deductible.
Friedlander said separate glass coverage includes more than just the front windshield. It also covers side windows, glass sunroof, rear window, vent glass and quarter glass.
Free windshield repair
Insurance companies often repair windshields for free, meaning no deductible applies to a comprehensive claim.
According to Gerber Collision & Glass, a rock chip smaller than a quarter in diameter can typically be repaired, and a crack less than six inches long, about the length of a dollar bill, may also be repairable. A repair usually works when there are three or fewer chips or cracks.
More than three chips or cracks can compromise the windshield’s strength and increase the risk of sudden breakage. Damage in multiple areas generally calls for a full replacement rather than a repair.
Windshield insurance, by company
Outside the three zero-deductible states, most major carriers waive the deductible for windshield repairs but require you to pay your full deductible for a replacement. Here’s how three carriers with clearly stated glass policies handle claims:
- GEICO: Waives the deductible for repairs but not replacement. If your damage is repairable, typically a crack under six inches, GEICO won’t charge you anything.
- Progressive: Waives the deductible for repairs when the crack is less than six inches long. For longer cracks or chips in certain locations, Progressive may require a replacement, which triggers your deductible.
- USAA: Waives the deductible for repairs but not replacement. USAA is available only to military members and their immediate families. Eligible members should confirm current terms directly, as policy details can vary by state.
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No-deductible windshield replacement
You can get $0-deductible glass coverage regardless of your state. The option just isn’t automatic. Ask your insurer specifically about separate glass coverage or a glass endorsement on your comprehensive policy.
If you’re comparison shopping, look for carriers that list a $0 glass deductible option explicitly. It may cost a small amount more per month, but if you live in an area prone to road debris or hail, the math often favors the upgrade.
Sophie’s tip
Not sure if your policy covers glass? Pull up your declarations page and look for “comprehensive” and whether a deductible amount is listed. If the deductible field is blank or shows $0, you may already have full glass coverage. If not, ask your agent about a separate glass endorsement.
How much does it cost to replace a windshield?
A standard windshield replacement averages about $390, with most drivers paying between $50 and $550, according to AAA.
Your final price depends on the make, year and model of your vehicle, the severity and location of the damage and the type of glass used. Luxury and antique cars cost more.
Vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) add another cost. Cameras and sensors mounted near the windshield must be recalibrated after a replacement, which can push the total to $600 to $1,500 or more depending on the vehicle and calibration type, according to Glass.com.
Will my insurance go up if I get my windshield replaced?
Typically, claiming a windshield replacement won’t affect your premium. Your rates won’t increase by much if you get your windshield replaced, even if you don’t live in a state with free windshield replacement laws.
If you file a comprehensive claim to repair or replace your windshield, your rates generally won’t go up, as most comprehensive claims don’t trigger a rate increase. If you do see a bump in your premium, it will be minimal. The average comprehensive claim raises rates by less than 3%, or about $39 a year.
What is the primary function of a windshield?
Considered a primary safety feature in any vehicle, today’s windshields are designed to:
- Protect occupants in a rollover: A windshield is akin to a load-bearing wall in a house. If it doesn’t stay firmly in place, the roof can collapse under its weight, injuring or killing those inside.
- Keep passengers inside the vehicle: In a crash, it’s almost always best not to be ejected. An intact, properly installed windshield keeps people in and keeps road and crash debris out. According to Safelite, damaged glass is 60 to 70 percent weaker than intact glass.
- Cushion the passenger airbag: Airbags deploy with extreme force. The passenger’s front airbag strikes the windshield first. If the windshield comes unmoored or the glass is weak, the passenger is left unprotected.
- Ensure visibility: Cheap or chipped glass can distort optics, shatter under the stress of normal driving vibration or temperature change and wear wiper blades unevenly.
Key takeawayFlorida, Kentucky and South Carolina waive your deductible for windshield repair or replacement under comprehensive coverage. In five more states you can add no-deductible glass coverage, and almost anywhere else you can ask your insurer about a $0 glass deductible. Filing a glass claim rarely raises your rates.
Frequently Asked Questions: Windshield replacement
Does liability insurance cover windshield replacement?
Liability insurance only pays for a windshield replacement if another person caused the damage. If you were in an accident that was the other driver’s fault, you can file a claim against their liability insurance policy.
Do you have to pay a deductible for a cracked windshield?
Your car insurance company may waive the deductible if your windshield is repaired for a covered loss. If the windshield needs to be replaced, you’re still covered, but you may have to pay the deductible.
Does my car insurance cover windshield replacement?
If you carry comprehensive coverage, windshield repair or replacement should be included automatically. Comprehensive coverage is typically required if you have an auto loan or lease. If your windshield is damaged by debris, an animal or another non-collision event, comprehensive coverage typically pays for repair or replacement. If your windshield is damaged in a collision, collision coverage usually applies instead. If another driver is at fault, you can file against their insurance.
How many times can you get your windshield replaced for free?
If you carry comprehensive coverage in Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina, free windshield repair or replacement is unlimited during your policy term. However, multiple claims in a short period could lead to premium increases or non-renewal at the end of your term.
Does filing a windshield claim raise my insurance rates?
Filing a windshield replacement claim under comprehensive coverage typically doesn’t raise your rates. Most insurers treat glass claims as non-chargeable events, though policies vary.
The bottom line
If you live in Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina, your comprehensive coverage handles windshield replacement at no cost to you. Everywhere else, the smart move is to ask your insurer about separate glass coverage with a $0 deductible before you need it, not after.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
- Glass.com. “2026 VIN-level windshield replacement cost estimates.” Accessed June 2026.
- AAA. “How much does it cost to replace a windshield?” Accessed June 2026.
