Texas Windshield Replacement Law
In Texas, your comprehensive coverage may pay for your windshield replacement—as long as you’ve paid your deductible.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Texas laws don’t include any rules about windshield replacements, so you’ll need comprehensive coverage if you want your insurance company to pay for it.
When choosing a
Texas car insurance
policy, it’s crucial to look at everything it covers—from severe weather and collisions with animals down to windshield replacements. Even with full coverage, though, you’ll have to pay your deductible before insurance pays for repairs. Here to cover all the details about the Texas windshield replacement laws is
Jerry
, the reliable super app helping drivers in the Lonestar State save money on their car insurance
. Does Texas law cover windshield replacement?
Nope. Unless your
comprehensive insurance
includes windshield replacement, you’ll be paying for your new windshield out of pocket. Whether talking about
cracked windshields
or windshield replacements, Texas laws don’t include any specific language about windshields. In a handful of states, the law prevents insurance companies from charging a deductible for a windshield replacement if the driver has comprehensive insurance. In Texas, however, comprehensive coverage does take care of windshield repairs and replacements—but you’ll have to pay the deductible first in most cases. Your policy may include a $0 deductible, but that also means higher premium costs.
So how does that pan out in real life? If your windshield gets damaged by any event covered by comprehensive coverage (e.g., vandalism, animal, fires, or weather), you have to pay your deductible for your insurance to pay for the repair or replacement. If you have
collision insurance
, windshield replacement will also be covered (after paying your deductible) in the event of an accident or collision with a stationary object. If you only have the minimum required car insurance in Texas—
bodily injury liability
and property damage liability
—you’ll either have to live with your cracked windshield or fork over the money to replace it yourself. If you can prove another driver did the damage, though, you may be able to file a claim with their insurance company—but this is not guaranteed to be successful. RECOMMENDED
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Who pays for windshield replacement in Texas?
In Texas, determining who pays for windshield replacements depends on your insurance coverage, just like any other vehicle damage.
When you’re protected with comprehensive coverage, any windshield damage caused by one of the non-collision events included in your policy will be covered by your insurance provider—but only after you’ve paid
your deductible
. This also applies to collision coverage. With both of these coverages, if you’ve reached your deductible, your insurer will cover the entire cost of replacement. If you only have minimum coverage, if your windshield damage doesn’t meet the criteria to file a claim, and if you can’t prove another driver was responsible for the damage, you’ll have to pay the total amount of the replacement yourself—which often costs between $150 and $500.
If your windshield only needs chips or cracks repaired, though, you’ll pay between $50 and $200.
Does Texas law require auto insurance coverage for windshield repair?
No. You do need to have either comprehensive or collision coverage for your insurance company to pay for your windshield repair, but drivers are
not required to have these coverages in Texas
. Texan drivers are only required to carry two types of
car insurance
: bodily injury liability, which covers the medical expenses for injured parties in the other car, and property damage liability, which pays for damages to the other drivers’ vehicle or other property if you cause an accident. These coverages keep you from having to pay for the other drivers’ expenses, but minimum coverage won’t protect you or your vehicle.
Do I need to replace my cracked windshield in Texas?
It depends. You should replace your cracked windshield if it’s caved in or looks like a spider web, but how many cracks are too many cracks? Texas laws don’t specify any guidelines about cracked or damaged windshields, but it’s always wise to repair cracks in your windshield.
If a crack obstructs your view, consider repair or replacement mandatory. That’s because Texas does have laws regarding obstructed views.
Section 547.613
of the Texas Transportation Code forbids you to apply any stickers or other objects on your windshield that may obstruct your view. If a crack is within your line of sight, you may receive a fine of up to $1,000—and the decision will come down to the individual police offer’s discretion. If a crack in your windshield affects the windshield wipers, you may also fail your
vehicle inspection
. When in doubt, it’s always safest to take your car into a repair shop to have a professional take a look. They’ll be able to tell you whether you could get by with repairs or if you need a full replacement. Do some research to find a shop that offers a free consultation—and be sure to get the estimate in writing before moving forward with repairs.
How to save on windshield insurance in Texas
Comprehensive and comprehensive coverage may not be required in the Lonestar State, but they can come in handy when you least expect it—and not just for windshield repairs.
If you’re hesitant to spring for full coverage because of the cost, don’t sweat it. With a little help from
Jerry
, you don’t have to pick between protection and your budget. The process is simple: Just download Jerry’s top-rated insurance app, plug in your vehicle information and coverage preferences—and voilà! You’ll be staring at quotes tailored to your specific needs in just 45 seconds or less. As a
licensed insurance broker
with more than 55 partner companies, Jerry delivers the most affordable rates in Texas. “I was paying roughly $180 a month for insurance, butJerryhooked me up with an Allstate full coverage plan for only $89! I’m so glad I trusted Jerry to find me a better plan.”—David A.
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