Does auto insurance cover windshield replacement?

Does auto insurance cover windshield replacement? It can if you have collision or comprehensive coverage, but each type of insurance covers glass damage differently.

Collision insurance applies if your windshield was damaged in a crash with another vehicle or a stationary object, like a pole. Comprehensive covers if the glass was damaged by vandals, an animal, or weather.

This guide explains how comprehensive and collision insurance apply to glass damage, how insurance deductibles affect costs, and when minor chips versus spreading cracks justify a claim.

Farmers offers the lowest rates at $55 a month for comprehensive and $68 a monthly for collision. Find the cheapest auto glass insurance by entering your ZIP code into our free comparison tool.

How Windshield Replacement Works

Windshield replacement depends on the type of auto insurance you have and what caused the damage.

Certain coverages don’t help with windshield repairs because they are made for different needs, such as paying medical bills or helping with a loan after a total loss.

Windshield Replacement Coverage by Policy Type

Comprehensive insurance helps when the windshield is damaged by things like weather, theft, or animals, while collision coverage helps when the damage happens in a crash or when you hit something.

These two coverages decide whether your windshield can be repaired or replaced and which deductible you must pay.

Some add-ons, such as full glass coverage auto insurance, remove the deductible so you pay nothing for a replacement.

Knowing what each policy does makes it easier to tell when insurance will cover your windshield. Compare comprehensive vs. collision auto insurance to learn more.

Understanding Different Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Different types of car insurance protect you in different situations, and only some of them help with windshield damage.

Collision and comprehensive cover damage to your own car, and may pay for windshield repair or replacement, depending on how the damage occurred.

Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

Liability auto insurance only pays for other people’s damage, so it never helps with your windshield, but it may cover the windshield of the vehicle you hit.

Other coverages focus on medical bills, rental cars, towing, or accidents involving uninsured drivers. These types don’t repair your windshield, but they can help with the extra costs that come with car damage or an accident.

UM/UIM insurance may include windshield replacement coverage if the at-fault driver can’t cover it, but this varies by state and company.

Altogether, these coverages support you in different ways while your car is being fixed, making it easier to manage repair costs. Understanding this clarifies whether you need windshield insurance and which type of coverage applies.

Determining Windshield Replacement Costs

The cost of windshield replacement changes a lot between companies, and the biggest difference comes from the cost of comprehensive and collision insurance.

Comprehensive is the part that usually pays for windshield damage, so comparing company prices matters.

Monthly Cost for Auto Insurance With Windshield Coverage

Farmers has the cheapest rates at $55 per month for comprehensive and $68 a month for collision. Get more quotes in our Farmers auto insurance review. Auto-Owners, Nationwide, and Travelers are also low-cost choices.

Other companies charge more for the same coverage, so researching if windshield replacement increases insurance on Reddit can help you find affordable providers locally.

Always compare local windshield insurance companies online because certain states require providers to waive the windshield replacement deductible when you carry comprehensive coverage.

Here, drivers can replace a damaged windshield without paying out of pocket because companies waive the insurance windshield replacement deductible automatically.

However, drivers in other states only have the windshield replacement deductible waived with an optional add-on. Many states do not offer it at all. Drivers in those areas must pay their normal deductible unless they buy extra glass coverage.

Because windshield damage is common, knowing whether your state waives the deductible for windshield replacement can help you choose the right company and avoid surprise costs.

Windshield Replacement vs. Repair Prices

Windshield repair usually costs much less than a full replacement, which is why fixing small chips early can help you avoid bigger bills later.

Repairs often range from $60 to $150, while a full replacement can cost $200 to over $800, especially if your car has safety features that need extra work.

Windshield Repair vs. Replacement Cost

ADAS recalibration alone can add another $300 to $600 to the total price. If the repair or replacement costs less than your insurance deductible, your insurance won’t pay anything, and you must cover the full amount yourself.

Knowing these costs can help you decide the best time to file a claim and whether it makes more sense to use insurance or simply pay for the repair yourself.

Factors That Raise Windshield Insurance Premiums

Windshield insurance costs change based on your coverage and how your policy works. If you have comprehensive auto insurance or special auto glass coverage, your out-of-pocket cost can be much lower.

Your deductible also plays a big part because a high deductible means you pay more before insurance helps, while a low deductible raises your monthly premium.

Windshield Replacement Cost Factors

Your past claims matter too, since filing many glass claims can cause your insurance rate to go up later.

The type of car you drive and the kind of glass needed also affect the price. Cars with advanced safety features may need extra work, raising the total cost.

Luxury cars and models with rare parts are usually more expensive to fix. Labor costs also change by location and how hard the job is. Small chips are cheaper to fix, while long cracks usually mean the whole windshield must be replaced.

This matters because minor chips make up the largest share of windshield damage, so most drivers are more likely to face quick, low-cost repairs rather than major replacements.

More serious issues like full replacements or long cracks still happen, but less frequently, which helps explain why many insurance claims involve small, manageable damage.

ADAS resets remain the least common type of damage, yet they can add a noticeable cost when modern safety features need recalibration during repair.

Understanding Windshield Replacement Claims

Windshield damage is usually handled under comprehensive insurance. It’s one of the more common claim types because things like rocks, storms, and falling objects often hit the glass without damaging the rest of the car.

While collision and property damage claims happen more often and cost more, windshield claims are still very common and tend to be smaller and easier to fix.

Most Common Auto Insurance Claims in the U.S.

Many drivers file at least one glass claim in their lifetime because even a tiny rock can leave a chip or crack that needs attention.

With the right coverage in place, you can handle windshield damage quickly, safely, and with confidence (Read More: Best Auto Insurance Companies for Claims Handling).

What you pay out of pocket depends mostly on your deductible. If you don’t have insurance, you must pay the full cost of the repair or replacement.

Out-of-Pocket Costs for Windshield Claims

If repair or replacement costs are less than your deductible, you won’t receive an insurance payout. For instance, with a $500 deductible, you pay the full repair cost because your policy won’t cover anything less than $500.

A $0 deductible makes repairs and replacements much cheaper since insurance pays the full bill, even when ADAS recalibration adds more to the price.

Buying Car Insurance for Windshield Damage

Does auto insurance cover windshield replacement? Having comprehensive insurance helps protect you from high costs caused by chips, cracks, and full auto glass replacements.

A $0 glass deductible or separate windshield insurance, when available, can also remove out-of-pocket expenses, which is especially helpful for drivers in areas with frequent road debris or inclement weather.

Comparing auto insurance companies and rates is one of the best ways to find a plan that fits your budget, especially since prices for auto glass insurance coverage can vary widely.

Providers like Farmers offer some of the lowest rates, making them a strong option for drivers who want affordable protection. Get fast and cheap auto insurance coverage today with our quote comparison tool.