In Massachusetts, auto insurance companies must offer full glass replacement with a $0 or $100 deductible for cracked windshields.
Driving around with a damaged windshield is annoying and dangerous, but fixing windshields can be expensive, so many of us spend too long cruising around town with a crack running across our windshield.
Is windshield replacement free in Massachusetts? No, it’s not free. But, according to the Massachusetts cracked windshield law, insurers must offer full glass replacement coverage with either a $0 or a $100 deductible, making getting your windshield replaced much more affordable.
- Massachusetts requires insurers to offer full glass replacement coverage with either a $0 deductible or a $100 deductible.
- Drivers are not required to purchase this type of coverage.
- In Massachusetts, you don’t need to purchase comprehensive or collision coverage to get full glass coverage for windshield replacement.
What is the Massachusetts windshield law?
It’s illegal to drive with a crack or chip larger than a quarter that blocks a driver’s view in Massachusetts. If you are wondering if windshield replacement is covered by insurance in Massachusetts, the answer is that the law requires insurance companies to offer glass replacement policies or a policy endorsement that offers either a $0 deductible or a $100 deductible.
While Massachusetts requires insurers to offer low deductible glass replacement, drivers are not required to purchase this coverage.
Typically, glass damage is covered by comprehensive coverage, which is optional. Comprehensive insurance covers damage from falling or flying objects, fire, flooding, hail, vandalism, theft, and animal strikes. Comprehensive usually comes with a $300, $500, or $1,000 deductible.
How does the windshield replacement deductible work?
In Massachusetts and a few other states, the deductible for windshield replacement is handled differently than for other types of comprehensive claims.
It works like this:
- If you choose the $100 deductible, you pay $100 if you file a claim, but your comprehensive deductible amount does not apply to windshield replacement claims.
- If you choose the zero deductible, you pay nothing for glass replacement though you may pay a slightly higher rate for comprehensive coverage.
- Regardless of the deductible, the most you pay out of pocket for a windshield replacement claim is $100.
Once you have paid the deductible, your insurance company will cover the remaining cost of a cracked windshield for Massachusetts drivers.
If you are unsure if you are currently covered for a broken windshield, check your car insurance policy to see if you have glass breakage coverage and your choice of deductible. Choosing a $100 deductible over a $0 deductible will usually result in a slightly lower premium.
Which states are free windshield replacement states?
Massachusetts is usually lumped together with “zero deductible” or free windshield replacement states (Florida, Kentucky and South Carolina) because insurers must offer policyholders a zero deductible for glass coverage, but this doesn’t mean you can’t choose a higher deductible if you want one.
According to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, no actual regulation or law in the Commonwealth requires waiving the glass deductible if you have chosen to have one with your car insurance policy.
Learn if insurance pays for your cracked windshield
How much does it cost to replace a windshield?
According to Glass America, a windshield repair/replacement company, the cost to replace a windshield ranges from $100 to $1,500, with an average cost of $250. The cost can go up dramatically for newer luxury cars loaded with advanced safety features.
If you do not have glass replacement or comprehensive coverage, you may have to pay the cost of replacing your windshield out of pocket.
Massachusetts laws on glass materials for windshields
According to Massachusetts law, insurance companies must pay for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts if vehicles meet specific requirements.
(OEM) glass and parts must be used on:
- Vehicles that are the model year 2004 or newer with fewer than 20,000 miles
- Vehicles that are the model year 2003 or newer but have fewer than 15,000 miles
Your insurance company may pay only for aftermarket glass in older or newer vehicles with mileage above the limits. If that’s the case, you can still request they use OEM materials, but you may have to pay the difference in the cost and whatever deductible you have chosen.
Should I repair or replace my windshield in Massachusetts?
Are you unsure whether you should repair or replace your windshield? Massachusetts state law outlines some guidelines for when it should be repaired instead of replaced.
Under Massachusetts state law on vehicle repairs, windshields are repaired and not replaced if:
- Damage is outside the viewing area or the area your wipers cover when in use.
- Damage results in a crack that’s smaller than 6 inches.
- Dings and “star breaks” are less than an inch in diameter.
- The repair will not compromise the safety of the vehicle.
You might also be interested inThe bottom line
Don’t drive around with a cracked windshield, which can impair visibility and pose safety risks. Thanks to the Massachusetts windshield law, getting that damaged windshield may cost only $100 or less if you have full glass replacement coverage.
Explore coverage options with your insurance carrier and ask about anything you don’t understand.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to drive with a cracked windshield in Massachusetts?
Yes, it is illegal to drive with a cracked windshield in Massachusetts, according to Dennis Shirshikov, adjunct professor of economics at City University of New York. The Massachusetts windshield replacement law requires that any crack or chip impairing the driver’s vision be repaired or replaced correctly to ensure safe driving conditions. The size and position of the crack play crucial roles in determining whether it is considered obstructive.
Who pays for your vehicle’s windshield replacement in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, windshield replacements are typically covered by the driver’s insurance coverage provided by their insurance carrier. Massachusetts requires insurance companies to offer full glass replacement coverage with a $0 or a $100 deductible. Once you have paid the deductible, your insurance company will cover the cracked windshield repair or replacement cost.
Will filing a windshield replacement claim affect my insurance rates in Massachusetts?
Filing a windshield replacement claim covered by your auto insurance policy should not affect your premiums, Shirshikov says. Windshield repairs or replacements are often considered no-fall claims to encourage drivers to make necessary repairs without penalty or hesitation.
Resources & Methodology
Sources
Allstate Auto Glass. “Windshield repair: an essential step before your yearly inspection.” Accessed April 2024.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “Understanding whether your auto coverage pays for damage to your windshield.” Accessed April 2024.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “Frequently asked questions about auto insurance claims.” Accessed April 2024.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. “Standards for the repair of damaged motor vehicles.” Accessed April 2024.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Insurance. “Automobile Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed April 2024.
Glass America. “What is the cost for replacing a windshield without insurance?” Accessed April 2024.
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