Only a few states in the U.S. waive the deductible for windshield replacements or repairs as part of comprehensive insurance coverage.
Some states mandate free windshield replacement under their car insurance laws. If you live in a free windshield state, your insurance company must pay for your windshield repair or replacement without you paying a deductible.
However, free windshield replacement laws apply to the comprehensive portion of your auto policy, not a liability. That means free windshield replacement laws apply only to policyholders with comprehensive car insurance.
Other states offer separate glass coverage with no deductible or an individual deductible lower than your comprehensive insurance. Regardless of where you live, insurance companies will sometimes repair windshields without you paying a deductible.
- If you carry comprehensive insurance coverage, Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina are the only states that waive the car insurance deductible for windshield repair or replacement.
- Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York allow separate glass coverage with no deductible on your glass claim.
- Some insurers offer glass coverage policies with no deductible regardless of where you live.
Which states have free windshield replacement?
The three free windshield replacement states are Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina, which waive the car insurance deductible for windshield repair or replacement and are referred to as having free windshield replacement or zero deductible states.
“This means you can file a windshield claim for repair or replacement without a deductible being applied,” says Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications 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. That’s because you still have to pay for comprehensive insurance coverage as part of your auto insurance policy to claim your windshield.
State laws differ on what 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.
Free windshield replacement
Even if you don’t live in a free windshield state, you may have the choice to buy glass coverage that doesn’t include a deductible. The following states offer the option of separate glass coverage with no deductible on your glass claim:
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New York
In Massachusetts, you can purchase glass coverage with free windshield repair or replacement or a $100 deductible separate from your comprehensive deductible.
Regardless of where you live, getting free windshield replacement under your comprehensive coverage may be possible. Insurance companies may offer policies with no deductible, so you should ask specifically about glass coverage.
Per Friedlander, purchasing separate glass coverage includes more than just the front windshield: It also includes side windows, glass sunroof, rear window, vent glass and quarter glass.
Free windshield repairInsurance companies often repair windshields for free, meaning no deductible is applied to a comprehensive claim.
According to Gerber Collision & Glass, when the affected section of the damaged windshield is smaller than the size of a dollar bill, opting for auto glass repair is likely feasible. However, if the damage exceeds this size, repairing it becomes challenging, necessitating a replacement windshield. A repair suffices when there are three or fewer chips or cracks.
More cracks or chips than three can compromise the windshield’s strength, increasing the risk of sudden breakage. Damage in multiple areas generally calls for a full windshield replacement rather than attempting repairs.
Windshield insurance, by company
We’ve covered what happens if you live in a free windshield state (Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina) or in a state where there is the option for coverage with a lower deductible or no deductible on your glass claim (Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New York). Here we outline how some major carriers cover windshield damage if you live in one of the other 42 states.
USAA windshield replacement and repair: Waives the deductible for repairs but not replacement.
Geico windshield replacement and repair: Waives deductible for repairs but not replacement.
Progressive windshield replacement and repair: Waives deductible for repairs if the crack is less than six inches long.
No-deductible windshield replacement
Even if you do not live in a state with free windshield replacement, you can always ask your insurance carrier if it can waive the deductible for your windshield claim.
If you prefer not to pay a deductible when claiming your windshield (but don’t live in a zero-deductible state), when doing your car insurance comparison shopping, look around for companies offering a $0 deductible for glass coverage. This option may cost you more, but if you live in an area where having your windshield damaged is likely, it could save you money in the long run.
How much does it cost to replace a windshield?
The cost to replace a windshield depends on the make, year and model of your vehicle, the severity and location of the damage and the type of glass used, but on average, expect to pay $200 to $400. The cost will be higher if you have a luxury or antique car.
Will my insurance go up if I get my windshield replaced?
Typically, claiming a windshield replacement won’t affect your premium. Your insurance 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, generally, your rates won’t go up, as most comprehensive claims don’t incur a rate increase. If you see a bump in your premium, it will be minimal. The average comprehensive claim hikes rates by less than 3%, or just $39 a year, based on a CarInsurance.com rate analysis.
Does liability insurance cover window repair?
No, your liability insurance won’t cover window repair. Your liability insurance won’t pay for window repair. Still, if you are hit by another driver and that driver is at fault for the accident, the other driver’s liability insurance will cover the damage to your windshield or windows.
Liability insurance only pays for damage you cause to other vehicles and injuries you cause to others but does not cover your own car. That’s why you need to have comprehensive insurance for glass damage.
Does gap insurance cover windshield replacement?
Gap insurance doesn’t cover windshield repair or replacement. Gap insurance pays out the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the outstanding balance on your loan or lease if the car is totaled.
Don’t drive with a cracked windshield
You may be tempted to drive with a cracked windshield if it’s a minor ding and isn’t in your line of vision. But it’s dangerous to do so. Considered a primary safety feature in any automobile, 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 remain firmly in place, the roof will 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 and properly installed windshield not only keeps people in, but it also keeps road and crashes debris out. According to Safelite, damaged glass is 60% to 70% weaker than intact glass.
- Cushion the passenger airbag: Airbags deploy with extreme force. The passenger’s front airbag strikes the windshield first. The passenger is left unprotected if the windshield comes unmoored or the glass is weak.
- Ensure visibility: Cheap or chipped glass can distort optics, shatter under the stress of normal driving vibration or temperature variation, and impair wiper blades.
FAQs
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 and it 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 comprehensive loss. But if the windshield needs to be replaced, you’ll still be covered, but you may have to pay the deductible.
How do I know if my car insurance policy covers windshield replacement?
If you carry comprehensive insurance coverage, an optional coverage that about 80% of U.S. drivers have according to the Insurance Information Institute, windshield repair or replacement coverage should be included automatically. Experts recommend comprehensive coverage, typically required if you have an auto loan or lease. If your windshield is damaged due to debris falling, encountering an animal, or unforeseen incidents, comprehensive coverage typically covers the expenses for repairs or replacements.
In situations involving collisions, if your windshield is damaged in a car accident, collision coverage typically takes care of the costs, which differs from comprehensive coverage. If your windshield is harmed in a car crash where another driver is at fault, you can file a claim against their insurance to cover the costs of repairing your windshield.
How many times can you get your windshield replaced for free?
If you carry comprehensive insurance coverage in Florida, Kentucky or South Carolina, free windshield repair/replacement is unlimited during your policy term. However, multiple windshield claims in a short timeframe could lead to an increase in your policy premium or potentially a policy non-renewal at the end of your current term.
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