Damage from a car accident

If you get in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, he or she will pay for your windshield. If you are at fault, and if you have an insurance policy that covers things like collision, it will also cover your windshield. You will still need to pay a deductible first.

If your windshield was broken by something other than a car accident, such as a rock or vandalism, you need to have comprehensive coverage. Some insurance companies also offer separate auto glass insurance that does not have a deductible.

Minor windshield damage from all other causes

Windshields with minor damage don’t necessarily need to be replaced. The damage can often be repaired, and these repairs are generally not subject to a deductible.

“Most insurance companies will pay for repairs of any small chips or cracks in a windshield free of charge to the customer,” advises Robert Hinton, Owner of Glass Masters AutoGlass. “This is because they would like to avoid the possibility of having to replace the windshield down the road.”

A minor crack in the glass is considered “minor damage,” which means it does not penetrate the lamination in the glass and is no larger than a quarter in size. Hinton claims that any such repair using contemporary methods will restore the structural integrity of the glass.

Windshield replacement from all other causes

If repairs are not feasible, some automobile insurance companies give a lesser comprehensive deductible. If you live in one of the “zero-deductible” states – Minnesota, Florida, South Carolina, or Kentucky – all comprehensive vehicle insurance policies must cover the cost of replacement or repair for your entire windshield.

People in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York are given the option to choose a lower deductible for windshield damage when they buy car insurance.