What Part of Auto Insurance Covers Windshield?
Decode how your auto insurance protects your vehicle's windshield, clarifying coverage, costs, and the path to getting it fixed.
Windshield damage, from a small chip to a significant crack, is a common occurrence. Understanding how auto insurance responds can be complex. Most auto insurance policies include provisions to manage the financial impact, typically falling under specific coverage types that address various causes of damage.
Understanding Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive auto insurance coverage protects your vehicle from damage not resulting from a collision. This type of coverage addresses incidents often beyond a driver’s control. Windshield damage frequently falls under comprehensive coverage when caused by events like flying rocks or debris, hail, falling objects, or impacts with animals.
For example, if a pebble from a passing truck causes a chip, your comprehensive coverage would typically apply. Damage from vandalism or natural disasters like hailstorms is also usually covered. Comprehensive coverage is optional, but lenders often require it for financed or leased vehicles. It provides an important layer of protection for damages not considered accident-related.
Applying Collision Coverage
Collision auto insurance coverage is for damage to your vehicle from an accident involving another vehicle or object, such as a pole or guardrail. While less common for isolated windshield damage, collision coverage applies if the windshield was damaged as part of a larger crash event. For instance, if your windshield cracks during a fender bender or after impacting a stationary object, your collision coverage would be the relevant part of your policy. This coverage addresses repair or replacement costs when you are at fault or the other party is uninsured. It is distinct from comprehensive coverage, which handles non-collision events.
Deductibles and Glass Options
A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance coverage begins to pay for a claim. When filing a claim for windshield damage under comprehensive or collision coverage, your chosen deductible will generally apply. For example, if your deductible is $500 and the windshield replacement costs $700, you would pay the initial $500, and your insurer would cover the remaining $200. Many policies often waive the comprehensive deductible specifically for windshield repairs, as opposed to full replacements.
To mitigate out-of-pocket costs, many insurers offer “full glass coverage” or “zero deductible glass options.” This optional add-on allows for the repair or replacement of auto glass without requiring you to pay a deductible. While this coverage may result in a slightly higher premium, it can provide significant financial relief, especially for frequent glass damage. Some states even mandate that insurers offer a zero-deductible option for windshield replacement, or that deductibles be waived for safety glass repairs.
Repair or Replacement
The decision to repair or replace a damaged windshield depends on its size, type, and location. Small chips and cracks, typically under six inches and not in the driver’s direct line of sight, can often be repaired. Repairing involves injecting a special resin to prevent spreading and restore integrity.
A full replacement is usually necessary if the crack is larger than six inches, extends to the edge, or significantly obstructs vision. Insurance policies often handle repairs differently from replacements regarding deductibles. Many insurers waive the deductible for a repair, encouraging quick fixes. For replacements, the comprehensive deductible typically applies unless you have specific full glass coverage or live in a state with a mandatory zero-deductible glass law.