Which insurance covers windshield replacement?

Car insurance coverage for windshield damage Comprehensive coverage can help pay for the replacement or repair of a damaged windshield, if it is hit by a rock or other object. Integral also helps cover damage from hazards such as fire, theft, falling objects or hail. Most auto insurers cover windshield replacement if you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. In some cases, deductibles do not apply for windshield repairs.

However, if you need to completely replace your windshield, you are likely to be responsible for paying your comprehensive deductible, unless you live in a “zero deductible” status. The comprehensive insurance portion of your car insurance policy generally covers claims for windshield damage. This type of insurance covers damage due to problems such as theft, fire, flood, hail, falling objects (such as a tree branch) and collisions with animals. Comprehensive insurance is optional coverage, but it's usually required if you have an auto loan.

Kentucky and Arizona go beyond windshield replacement and include other items, such as lights and safety glass on your vehicle, under their zero-deductible laws. Yes, you have to pay a deductible for windshield replacement if you use your comprehensive or collision coverage. Luckily, this section will help you learn the basics so you can effectively replace your windshield. After filing the claim, the insurance company will require that the damage be inspected to determine if the windshield should be repaired or replaced.

For example, in Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, insurers cannot charge a deductible for windshield repairs or replacement. Contact a glass repair specialist if you have any questions about whether the windshield should be repaired or replaced. The decision between repairing or replacing the windshield depends on several factors, including the dimensions and depth of the damage, the impact on visibility, and the threat it poses to the driver's safety. If you have comprehensive coverage, you must be covered for auto glass repair, including full windshield replacement.

In some states, the law says you can get a free windshield replacement as long as you have the necessary comprehensive coverage. In general, it is necessary to replace the windshield if it has a crack larger than a dollar bill or a splinter of more than 25 cents. However, this type of coverage is something that needs to be clarified in case you ever need to replace the windshield. While windshield replacement without a deductible can be offered with comprehensive coverage, it is not a law.

In some states, there are specific laws that regulate whether customers will have to pay their deductible for windshield repairs or replacements. When considering OEM (original equipment manufacturer) windshields are preferable to aftermarket parts, as they are the easiest to use as spare parts, since their moldings and accessories are identical to those of the original product. However, given your insurance company and the state you live in, there may be different average costs to replace the windshield. Elsewhere, you should expect to pay your full deductible for windshield replacement, unless your policy specifies otherwise.