Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Damage?

If you’re a car owner, you’re likely familiar with the many different types of car insurance coverage that are available to you. Some cover damage to your car, while others protect you from liability if you cause an accident. But what about windshield damage? Does car insurance cover that?

The answer is yes, car insurance can cover windshield damage, but it depends on the type of coverage you have and the circumstances surrounding the damage

Comprehensive Coverage

The most common type of insurance coverage that covers windshield damage is comprehensive coverage. This type of coverage protects your car from non-collision damage, such as theft, vandalism, or weather-related damage like hail or windstorms. It’s important to note that comprehensive coverage is usually an optional coverage that you can add to your policy.

If your windshield is damaged due to one of these covered events, your comprehensive coverage will likely pay for the cost of repair or replacement. However, you’ll still need to pay your deductible before your insurance coverage kicks in. In most cases, your deductible for comprehensive coverage is lower than your deductible for collision coverage.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is another type of insurance coverage that can cover windshield damage. This coverage protects your car in the event of a collision with another vehicle or object, like a tree or a pole. If your windshield is damaged in a collision, your collision coverage will typically pay for the cost of repair or replacement, minus your deductible.

It’s important to note that collision coverage is different from comprehensive coverage, and they cover different types of damage. If you only have collision coverage, it won’t cover damage to your windshield from non-collision events like hail or vandalism.

Glass Coverage

Some car insurance policies offer a specific type of coverage called glass coverage. This coverage is designed to cover damage to your car’s glass, including your windshield, side windows, and rear window. If you have glass coverage, it will likely cover the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield, regardless of the cause of the damage.

However, not all insurance companies offer glass coverage as an option, and it may not be available in all states. Additionally, even if you have glass coverage, you may still need to pay a deductible before your insurance coverage kicks in.

Third-Party Liability Coverage

If you’re responsible for causing damage to someone else’s car, including their windshield, your liability coverage may help cover the cost of repairing or replacing their windshield. This coverage is typically included in most standard car insurance policies.

However, it’s important to note that liability coverage is designed to protect you from financial responsibility if you cause damage to someone else’s property or injure them in an accident. It does not typically cover damage to your own car or windshield.

Should You File an Insurance Claim for Windshield Damage? 

If your windshield is damaged, you may be wondering if you should file an insurance claim to have it repaired or replaced. The answer depends on the extent of the damage and the cost of repair or replacement.

If the damage is minor, such as a small crack or chip, it may be more cost-effective to pay for the repair out of pocket rather than filing a claim. In many cases, a windshield repair can be done quickly and inexpensively, and may not affect your insurance rates.

However, if the damage is more extensive, such as a large crack or a shattered windshield, you may need to file an insurance claim to have it repaired or replaced. In this case, it’s important to consider the cost of your deductible, as well as the potential impact on your insurance rates.

If you have comprehensive coverage, filing a claim for windshield damage should not significantly impact your insurance rates, since it’s not considered an at-fault accident. However, if you have a high deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim for minor damage.