How to Tell If Your Insurance Covers Your Broken Windshield

You hear a rock hit your windshield on the highway. You notice a chip when you get home. Or worse, you walk outside and find a large crack running across the glass.

One of the first questions you may have is:

Will my car insurance pay for this?

The answer depends on your individual insurance policy, the type of coverage you carry, your deductible, and how the damage happened.

Here's what to look for before scheduling your windshield repair or replacement.

What Type of Insurance Covers Windshield Damage?

Windshield and auto glass damage is often associated with comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance generally covers certain types of vehicle damage that aren't caused by a collision, which can include situations such as falling objects, storms, vandalism, theft-related damage, and road debris.

However, every insurance policy is different.

The easiest way to determine your coverage is to review the comprehensive section of your policy or contact your insurance company and ask specifically about auto glass coverage.

Check Your Deductible

Being covered doesn't necessarily mean your windshield replacement will be free.

Your comprehensive coverage may have a deductible, the amount you're responsible for paying before insurance contributes toward the covered repair.

For example, if the cost of replacing your windshield is close to or below your deductible, filing a claim may not make financial sense.

Before making a decision, find out:

Whether your policy covers the damage
What your comprehensive deductible is
Whether your policy has separate glass coverage
What portion of the repair or replacement you're responsible for

This will give you a much clearer picture of your options.

Does Insurance Cover Windshield Repair?

Depending on your policy, there may be a difference between coverage for repairing a small windshield chip and replacing an entire windshield.

Because repairing minor damage can prevent the need for a more expensive replacement later, it's worth checking with your insurance company as soon as you notice a chip.

Don't assume you need a complete replacement before having the damage evaluated.

What About OEM vs. Aftermarket Glass?

If your windshield needs to be completely replaced, another question to ask your insurer is what type of replacement glass your policy covers.

Depending on your policy, vehicle, and circumstances, there may be differences in coverage for OEM and aftermarket replacement glass.

Before choosing your replacement windshield, ask your insurance provider whether there are any restrictions or additional costs associated with choosing OEM glass.

Read: OEM vs. Aftermarket Windshields — What's the Difference?

Questions to Ask Your Insurance Company

If you're unsure about your windshield coverage, you don't need to know insurance terminology before calling.

Simply ask:

Is my windshield damage covered?
What is my deductible for auto glass damage?
Do I have separate glass coverage?
Is windshield repair handled differently from replacement?
Does my policy cover OEM glass?
Do I need to file a claim before having the work completed?

A few minutes checking your policy can help you understand your options before moving forward.

Need Your Windshield Repaired or Replaced?

Once you understand your insurance coverage, the next step is determining whether your windshield can be repaired or needs to be replaced.

Advanced Auto Glass provides windshield repair and replacement in Schaumburg and surrounding northwest suburban communities, including Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Roselle, and nearby areas.

Tell us about your vehicle and the windshield damage, and we'll help you determine the appropriate next step.

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