Whether your insurance covers a cracked windshield depends on your policy type and what caused the damage
Most car insurance policies do cover windshield damage, but the details matter. If you have comprehensive coverage, your policy typically pays for windshield cracks and chips caused by things outside your control — a rock kicked up by another car, hail, or a falling tree branch. If you only have liability coverage (the minimum required in most states), windshield damage is not covered. The cost to you depends on your deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
The catch is that windshield claims work differently than other damage claims. Many insurers offer glass coverage or zero-deductible glass claims, which means you pay nothing out of pocket for windshield repair or replacement. But you have to check your actual policy to know whether you have this option, because it is not automatic even if you have comprehensive coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive coverage pays for windshield damage caused by events outside your control, such as rocks, hail, or weather.
- Liability-only policies do not cover windshield damage under any circumstance.
- Many insurers offer zero-deductible glass coverage, meaning you pay nothing for windshield repair, but you must check your policy to confirm you have it.
- Filing a glass claim usually does not raise your insurance rates, even though it counts as a claim.
- If you do not have comprehensive coverage, you can pay out of pocket or contact your state insurance commissioner to learn about state-mandated glass programs.
What comprehensive coverage actually covers
Comprehensive coverage is the part of your policy that pays for damage to your car that is not caused by a collision. This includes windshield cracks and chips from rocks, hail, vandalism, theft, and weather. It does not cover damage you cause yourself — for example, if you hit the windshield with a hammer or drive into a low-hanging branch on purpose.
The damage also has to be sudden and accidental. A windshield that slowly deteriorates over years because of sun exposure or temperature changes is wear and tear, not something comprehensive coverage pays for. But a single rock hitting your windshield on the highway is exactly what comprehensive is designed to cover.
If you have comprehensive coverage, you can file a claim. Your insurer will either send you to one of their approved glass shops or let you choose your own. The shop will contact your insurance company directly, and you will pay your deductible (if you have one) at the time of service.
How deductibles work for windshield claims
Your deductible is the amount you pay before insurance pays the rest. For most types of claims, deductibles range from $250 to $1,000. But many insurers offer a separate, lower deductible for glass claims — sometimes $0, sometimes $50 or $100.
If your policy has a $0 glass deductible, you pay nothing out of pocket for windshield repair or replacement. If your policy has a standard deductible of $500 but a $100 glass deductible, you would pay $100 for a windshield claim instead of $500. The glass deductible applies only to glass claims, not to other types of damage.
To find out what your glass deductible is, look at your policy documents or call your insurer. The deductible should be listed in the section on comprehensive coverage or glass coverage. If you do not see a separate glass deductible mentioned, ask your agent whether your policy includes one — some insurers add it automatically, and some require you to request it.
What happens if you only have liability coverage
Liability coverage pays for damage you cause to someone else's car or property. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle, including your windshield. If you have liability coverage only and your windshield cracks, your insurance will not pay for it, and you will have to pay the full cost yourself.
Liability coverage is the minimum required by law in every state, but it protects the other person, not you. If you want your own car protected, you need comprehensive and collision coverage. Collision covers damage from accidents you are in; comprehensive covers everything else.
If you cannot afford comprehensive coverage and your windshield is damaged, some states have programs that require insurers to offer low-cost glass repair or replacement. Contact your state insurance commissioner's office to ask whether your state has a glass program.
Why glass claims usually do not raise your rates
Filing a windshield claim counts as a claim on your record, but most insurers do not raise your rates because of it. Glass damage is considered a no-fault claim — meaning you did not cause it — and insurers treat these differently than collision or at-fault accident claims.
That said, the rules vary by insurer and by state. Some companies do not raise rates for any glass claims. Others raise rates only if you file multiple glass claims in a short time. A few insurers may raise rates even for a single glass claim, though this is less common.
Before you file a claim, you can call your insurer and ask whether the claim will affect your rates. If the repair cost is close to your deductible, it might be cheaper to pay out of pocket and skip the claim entirely. For example, if your deductible is $100 and the repair costs $150, filing a claim saves you only $50 but creates a record of a claim.
How to file a windshield claim
Start by calling your insurance company or logging into your online account. Tell them you have windshield damage and want to file a claim. They will ask you what caused the damage and when it happened. Have the date and a description ready — for example, "a rock hit my windshield on the highway on Tuesday morning."
Your insurer will either direct you to a glass shop in their network or let you choose your own. If they direct you to a network shop, the repair is usually faster because the shop already has your insurance information on file. If you choose your own shop, you will need to provide your policy number and contact information so the shop can coordinate with your insurer.
At the shop, you will pay your deductible (if you have one) and sign paperwork authorizing the repair. The shop will handle the rest with your insurance company. The repair or replacement usually takes one to two hours for a windshield.
Repair versus replacement: what your policy covers
Some windshield damage can be repaired; some requires full replacement. A small chip or crack in the corner of the windshield can often be repaired with resin, which costs less than replacement. A large crack across the windshield or damage in the driver's line of sight usually requires replacement.
Your insurance covers both repair and replacement under comprehensive coverage. The glass shop will assess the damage and recommend whether repair or replacement is necessary. In most cases, if repair is possible, the shop will do that first because it is cheaper for the insurer — and therefore cheaper for you if you have a deductible.
If the damage is too severe to repair, the shop will replace the entire windshield. Replacement windshields are often made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or an aftermarket supplier. Your insurer may have a preference, but the shop will use what is appropriate for your vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurance cover a windshield crack if I caused it myself?
No. Comprehensive coverage covers damage from external events you cannot control. If you caused the damage — for example, by hitting the windshield or driving into a branch on purpose — your insurance will not pay. You would have to pay out of pocket.
What if my windshield was already cracked before I bought the car?
Pre-existing damage is not covered by insurance. Your policy covers damage that happens after you purchase the coverage. If you bought a used car with a cracked windshield, you would need to pay for the repair yourself or negotiate with the seller before purchase.
Can I choose any glass shop, or do I have to use my insurance company's shop?
Most insurers let you choose your own shop, but some have preferred networks where repairs are faster or free. Call your insurer and ask about their network. If you use an out-of-network shop, the process may take longer because the shop has to coordinate with your insurer, but you still have the right to choose.
Does a windshield claim count against my record if I never file it?
No. Only claims you actually file are recorded. If you pay out of pocket for a windshield repair, there is no claim on your record. This is why some people choose to pay for small repairs themselves rather than file a claim.
What if my windshield breaks again after I just had it replaced?
You can file another claim. Your insurance will cover the second replacement the same way it covered the first, subject to your deductible. However, if you file multiple glass claims in a short time, your insurer may raise your rates or ask questions about what is causing the repeated damage.