Should I use insurance to replace my windshield?

Car insurance does cover windshield replacement if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive car insurance protects your car from damage caused by something other than a collision with another vehicle. It can help pay for windshield damage caused by tree branches falling, rocks or debris on the roadway while driving, acts of vandalism, and collisions with animals (like a deer).... read full answer

If your windshield was damaged in a car accident and the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay for your windshield repair or replacement. If you are at fault in the accident, you will have to file a claim under collision insurance, which covers the damage after you pay your deductible.

Although comprehensive insurance usually has a deductible, too, some companies have a reduced or even $0 deductible for comprehensive windshield claims. Florida, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Kentucky have laws requiring that comprehensive policies pay in full for windshield replacement. In Arizona, Connecticut, Minnesota and New York, drivers have the ability to choose a lower or $0 deductible for glass claims when they set up their comprehensive policy. This lower deductible is different than the driver’s standard comprehensive deductible, which is usually $500 or $1,000.

Windshield damage might not cost you anything if you have comprehensive coverage, but you should check with your insurer about your policy details. Windshield repair and replacement is usually affordable, so the cost might be less than your deductible. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to file a claim anyway. If the cost is just over that of your deductible, it might not be worth filing a claim and paying higher premiums over time in order to save on windshield replacement right now.

Yes, you have to pay a deductible for windshield replacement if you use your comprehensive or collision coverage. Insurance companies often waive deductibles for minor windshield repairs however, and some states even require insurers to waive the deductible for both windshield replacements and repairs.

Florida, South Carolina, and Kentucky waive deductibles... read full answer for windshield repair and replacement altogether. In Arizona, Connecticut, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and New York car insurance companies are required by state law to offer full glass coverage. This is a policy add-on that allows drivers to have a glass repair deductible that is either $0 or lower than their comprehensive deductible.

Major Insurance Companies That Waive Windshield Deductibles

If you have to pay a glass deductible, then you should only file a claim if the cost of repairs or a full replacement is more than what you’re expected to pay out-of-pocket. Replacements can cost up to $400, so by filing a claim and only paying your deductible, you will usually save money.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to windshield insurance.