Does a Glass Claim Affect Your Insurance?

A glass claim in auto insurance refers to damage to your vehicle’s windows, such as the windshield, side windows, or rear window. This damage, often caused by events like flying rocks, debris, or vandalism, leads many vehicle owners to wonder how filing a claim affects their policy. Understanding how these claims are handled is important for making informed decisions about repairs and coverage.

How Glass Claims Are Typically Covered

Damage to vehicle glass is covered under the “Comprehensive” portion of an auto insurance policy. Comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision incidents, including theft, vandalism, falling objects, animal strikes, and glass breakage. This coverage is distinct from collision coverage, which addresses damage from accidents involving other vehicles or objects.

Glass claims are treated differently than other types of comprehensive or collision claims. Some policies offer specific glass coverage including a separate deductible or a zero-deductible option for glass repair or replacement.

Some states, like Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, mandate a zero-deductible for windshield repair or replacement with comprehensive coverage. Other states, such as Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York, offer optional separate glass coverage with no deductible as an add-on to comprehensive insurance.

Impact on Premiums and Driving Record

When considering whether a glass claim affects your insurance, distinguish it from at-fault collision claims. A single glass-only claim filed under comprehensive coverage has minimal or no impact on insurance premiums. This is because glass damage is viewed as a “no-fault” incident, not attributed to the driver’s actions or negligence. Insurance companies treat these claims differently due to their common occurrence and safety implications.

While a single glass claim may not cause a rate increase, multiple claims within a short period could lead to higher premiums or loss of claim-free discounts. Insurers assess risk based on claims frequency, and frequent claims, even minor ones, indicate increased risk.

Glass claims are noted on a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) report, a claims-information report used by insurers to review an applicant’s claims history. This report contains up to seven years of claims history, including glass replacement, and is accessed by other insurers when you apply for new coverage or a quote. However, a glass claim on a CLUE report does not automatically lead to higher rates if it is a non-at-fault, comprehensive loss.

Deductibles and Glass Claim Cost

A deductible is the amount a policyholder pays out-of-pocket before their insurance coverage begins to pay for a covered claim. For glass damage, the comprehensive deductible applies; the policyholder pays this amount, and the insurer covers the rest. For instance, if a windshield replacement costs $400 and your deductible is $250, you would pay $250, and your insurer would cover the remaining $150.

The application of the deductible varies depending on whether the glass needs repair or full replacement. Many policies waive the deductible for windshield repairs, like small chips or cracks, as repairs are less expensive than replacements. Repair costs range from $50 to $150 for minor damage.

However, if the damage is extensive and requires a full windshield replacement, the comprehensive deductible applies. Full windshield replacement costs range from $200 to $600 for standard vehicles, but are significantly higher, $500 to over $1,000, for luxury models or those requiring advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) recalibration.

Deciding Whether to File a Claim

Deciding whether to file a glass claim involves comparing the repair or replacement cost to your comprehensive deductible. If the cost to fix the glass is less than or only slightly more than your deductible, paying out-of-pocket is simpler, as it avoids involving your insurance. For example, if a chip repair costs $75 and your deductible is $250, paying out-of-pocket would be more cost-effective than filing a claim and being responsible for the full repair amount.

Conversely, if the repair or replacement cost significantly exceeds your deductible, filing a claim is advisable. Given that a single glass-only claim has minimal impact on future premiums, especially for non-at-fault incidents, utilizing your insurance for substantial damage saves considerable out-of-pocket expense. Many insurers offer the convenience of working directly with auto glass repair shops, streamlining the process.