for liability, you may be out of luck. If you can prove another driver caused your damaged windshield, you may be able to file a claim with their liability insurance—however, this does not guarantee a free windshield replacement.

Who pays for windshield replacement in Arizona?

If your comprehensive insurance covers windshield glass replacement, your insurance company is required by state law to provide zero deductible coverage. If you have this coverage and your damage is covered by a comprehensive claim, your insurer will pay for the entire windshield replacement cost.

Unfortunately, if you’re not able to

submit a windshield replacement claim

under your comprehensive coverage, you’ll likely hold some responsibility for the costs.

If the damage is covered by your collision insurance, you’ll only have to pay a deductible. But if all you have is basic minimum liability coverage, you’ll likely have to pay the full cost out of pocket.

If you do have to pay for any windshield replacement services yourself, including repairs or replacements that fall under the warranty, the cost to replace it without insurance coverage will vary:

Complete windshield replacement: $150-$500

Chip or crack repair: $50-$200

Prices will also differ depending on whether you use aftermarket or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components, which are more difficult to find.

MORE:

When should you not make a car insurance claim?

Auto insurance coverage for windshield repair isn’t required in Arizona

If you want your windshield repaired under the free windshield replacement law, you’ll need to have purchased comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy—but this coverage is not required in the state of Arizona. The only requirements in the state are:

Property damage liability

, which covers the cost of other drivers’ damages if you’re at fault in an accident.

Bodily injury liability

, which covers those drivers’ medical costs.

You may be able to file a claim through another driver’s insurance if they are at fault, but there’s no guarantee without additional windshield insurance coverage of your own.

Broken windshields that block the driver's view must be replaced

The law in Arizona is that any windshield with a crack that impedes the driver’s line of sight while driving must be replaced. Otherwise, you might be able to get away with a simple repair job, rather than having to replace the whole thing.

But there are also federal laws surrounding whether or not a windshield is “adequate” for driving. Here are the federal regulations determining the types of inadequate windshields:

A windshield with damage or discoloration in the middle

Windshields with damage spots larger than three-quarters of an inch

Windshields with cracks that connect or intersect

However, because the state law is unclear in some areas, police officers are granted a significant amount of power of discretion to decide whether or not your windshield is inadequate.

If you're unsure if windshield damage makes it unsafe to drive, take your car to an auto glass replacement/repair shop or your trusted mechanic. You should always aim to get a free quote and inspection from your mechanic before repairing it.

Pro tip: You can temporarily fix a cracked windshield with a few common household items, including super glue and packing tape.

Comprehensive coverage in Arizona is worth the cost

Arizona offers zero-deductible windshield replacement coverage, so you only need comprehensive insurance to file windshield repair or replacement claims. Should the comprehensive claim be approved, your insurance company cannot raise your insurance rates or charge a deductible.

Though it is not legally required in Arizona, it is always a good idea to invest in both comprehensive and

collision coverage

—also known as

full coverage insurance

—to safeguard you and your car from serious damages and financial losses.

Having access to full glass replacement services and auto glass repair is just one of the many perks of comprehensive coverage.

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