Does Insurance Cover Cracked Windshields?

Depending on your level of coverage and where you live, your car insurance may cover windshield crack repair. Read this guide on cracked windshields and car insurance to learn if you're covered
Written by Brady Klopfer
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Cracked windshield are covered under most situations if you have collision and comprehensive insurance, but a liability-only plan will leave you paying out of pocket.
A cracked windshield is one of the peskiest auto repair issues. Unlike brakes or air filters, windshields don’t wear out or malfunction; it takes some kind of mishap to crack a windshield. Beyond
accidents
, a windshield is commonly cracked when some object is thrown at it or falls on it.
It’s important to fix a cracked windshield as quickly as is possible. Cracks can impair your vision while you drive, and worse yet, they can lead to the windshield imploding.
Large cracks are susceptible to implosion, and small cracks can turn into large cracks very quickly. So if you find yourself with a cracked windshield, go get it repaired or replaced.
Before you do so, however, you’ll want to know whether or not your car insurance will cover the repair. Read on to learn more about coverage details from
car insurance
comparison shopping app
Jerry
.
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Does car insurance cover cracked windshields?

Minimum liability auto insurance does not cover a cracked windshield. Liability is designed to cover other people and their cars in the event that you're at-fault in an accident. If you have other types of coverage, you could be covered.
If the windshield was cracked during a collision and you have
collision insurance
, you'll be covered. If you have comprehensive car insurance, a cracked windshield will likely be covered in other situations that could crack your windshield.
Comprehensive auto insurance
covers your car in the event of non-collision situations such as
theft
, vandalism, and
natural disasters
. A windshield that was cracked outside of a collision will almost always fall under the umbrella of comprehensive car insurance.
However, windshield replacement and repair is relatively affordable, which means that the repair costs may be less than your
deductible
. If this is the case, you’ll have to pay for the repair or replacement out of pocket. Think about it like this: if the cost to repair your windshield is $450 and your deductible is $500, you should just go ahead and fix it out of pocket.
In most cases, your insurance company will not raise your rates because of a cracked windshield claim; however, it’s worth asking your insurance provider about this. If the claim runs the risk of raising your rates, you may want to handle the repair yourself.

Are there insurance plans that cover cracked windshields for no deductible?

Six different states make it easier for you to have your cracked windshield repaired. In Arizona, Massachusetts, and New York, you have the opportunity to sign up for glass coverage when you purchase an insurance plan.
This will add a small fee to your plan but cover you fully, with zero deductible, if your windshield is damaged.
In Massachusetts, you can choose between zero-deductible glass coverage and a slightly more affordable plan that sets your windshield repair deductible at $100.
Kentucky, Florida, and South Carolina take it a step further, with state-mandated laws requiring auto insurance companies to repair cracked windshields with zero deductible. This means that, as long as your vehicle is insured, you can have a cracked windshield replaced or repaired at no cost to you.
Cracked windshields may seem like a hassle, but fixing them is relatively quick and affordable, and depending on where you live and your insurance plan, you may not have to pay for repairs or replacements. If you want to insure your windshield, consider buying comprehensive coverage or glass coverage.
MORE: How to get a car windshield replacement

FAQs

Will a broken windshield raise my insurance?

If you make a comprehensive claim on a broken windshield, your insurance premium shouldn't go up.
However, if you are getting your windshield fixed through your collision coverage due to an at-fault accident, you can expect an increase.

Does liability insurance cover windshield replacement?

No, liability insurance will not cover windshield replacement. You need comprehensive insurance to cover windshield replacement in most situations.
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