No-deductible windshield replacement: The Florida windshield replacement law prevents insurance companies from charging a deductible for a windshield claim that’s covered under comprehensive coverage. While this insurance coverage is not required by law, it’s worth adding to your auto insurance policy for much more than just free windshield repair.

How to get your windshield replacement covered under insurance

There are three different kinds of car insurance coverage that could help cover the cost of a windshield replacement, depending on the cause of the damage:

Comprehensive coverage

: This is an optional coverage type. If you have comprehensive coverage on your policy, it would cover windshield damage caused by non-collision-related incidents like vandalism, hail, a fallen tree, or a natural disaster.

Property damage liability coverage

(PDL):

Florida drivers are required to carry

a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability insurance along with basic personal injury protection (PIP). If another driver hits you and damages your windshield, you would file a claim through the at-fault driver’s insurance provider, and their PDL should cover your damage.

Collision coverage

: This is an additional coverage type. If you have it on your policy, it will cover windshield damage sustained in a car accident, but you have to pay your

insurance deductible

first. To get an insurance payout, the damage in the claim must exceed the deductible.

If your windshield is damaged by any covered peril, contact your insurance agent promptly to open a claim.

MORE:

How to file a car insurance claim

Florida auto glass replacement costs without insurance

Out-of-pocket windshield replacement repairs tend to cost between $200 and $400 before labor in Florida. However, many Florida repair shops may offer free glass repair as an incentive for other

routine maintenance services

, often with a warranty on the service.

Keep in mind: You won’t be responsible for paying a deductible if the replacement is for a covered incident under your comprehensive coverage.

If you’d need to use collision coverage, you may be better off

not filing an insurance claim

if the windshield replacement cost is less than your deductible—the cost of this repair can often be below the $500 or $1,000 deductible that most drivers carry.

MORE:

Does insurance cover cracked windshields?

Penalties for driving with a broken windshield in Florida

Florida law requires car windshields to be in good working order with functional windshield wipers and an unobstructed view. Specifically, you may be cited with a non-moving violation under

Florida Statute 316.610

if your damaged windshield is deemed too unsafe to drive with. This essentially means that it’s at a police officer’s discretion to ticket you (and hand you a fine for a non-moving violation). These fines vary by county.

The bottom line: Driving with a damaged windshield increases the car crash risk for everyone on the road and may land you in legal trouble. Consider the following harmful side effects of driving with a faulty windshield:

Impaired visibility: Impacts the way you drive and obstructs your view of the road.

Structural risk: Vehicle frame safety is compromised since the windshield supports the vehicle’s roof.

Faulty airbags: A damaged windshield can result in airbag misfires.

Water damage: Leaks seeping through the cracked windshield can contribute to interior damage.

Poor accident security: A compromised windshield could lead to ejection from the vehicle in an accident.

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