CarInsurance.com Insights
- The North Carolina windshield replacement law requires drivers to have comprehensive insurance to file a windshield replacement claim.
- Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your windshield and damage to the vehicle from fire, flooding, hail and theft.
- Some states allow windshield replacement claims to be made without requiring the deductible to be met, but not North Carolina.
Windshield replacement laws vary from state to state. In North Carolina, vehicle owners must have comprehensive insurance to claim windshield replacement. The claim can be for something as small as a small rock bouncing off the roadway and causing a star break on your windshield.
What is the North Carolina windshield replacement law?
According to the North Carolina windshield replacement law, comprehensive insurance (which is optional in North Carolina) is necessary to file a windshield replacement claim.
It is also essential to understand that comprehensive insurance typically comes with a deductible, which is the amount you pay before your policy pays for repairs.
So, what is comprehensive insurance exactly? Comprehensive insurance covers damage from:
- Animal collisions
- Falling objects
- Fire, flooding, hail and severe weather events
- Theft and vandalism
Comprehensive insurance pays out up to the actual cash value of your car after you pay your deductible. You can choose the deductible amount; $500 is a typical amount.
How much does car insurance cost in North Carolina?
North Carolina car insurance, on average, is fairly affordable, costing about $644 a year to meet the state’s minimum liability coverage. A full coverage policy, including comprehensive and collision insurance with a $500 deductible, is $2,587 annually.
Which states have zero deductible for glass coverage?
In Arizona, Kentucky and South Carolina, drivers can file a comprehensive insurance claim to replace a windshield but do not have to pay for their windshield replacement by meeting their deductible. For this reason, these three states are called “zero deductible states.”
Other states — Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts and New York — allow policyholders to waive the deductible in exchange for an increase in comprehensive premium. Also, some carriers may waive the comprehensive deductible for repairs, but not for replacing windshields.
Additionally, some car insurance companies will include glass repair and replacement at no charge. This means there is no deductible, but you may pay more for the policy overall. If windshield replacement and repair is a big priority for you, be sure to ask how this is handled by the auto insurers that you consider when shopping for a policy.
Speak with a friendly agent and get your quote in minutes!
Resources & Methodology
Methodology
CarInsurance.com commissioned Quadrant Information Services to get car insurance rates. The rates are based on the sample profiles of 40-year-old male and female drivers carrying full coverage policies with limits of 100/300/100 and $500 collision and comprehensive deductibles. Read the detailed methodology for more information.
Still have a question? Ask our experts
Get advice from an experienced insurance professional. Our experts will help you navigate your insurance questions with clarity and confidence.
Browse all FAQs
