Window Worries: Will Insurance Cover a New Windshield?

Did you know that your windshield plays a key role in the structural integrity of your vehicle? If you are in an accident, your windshield can account for between 45 and 60 percent of your car's cabin strength. Having an undamaged and well-maintained windshield can literally save your life. 

But what happens when your windshield gets damaged? Does the fact that it is so important to safety mean that your insurance will pay for a new windshield? Could the wrong insurance leave you to pay out of pocket?

Here's what every driver needs to know.

How Much Does a New Windshield Cost?

"How much is a new windshield near me?" is often the first question drivers ask when their windshields take damage. The average cost to replace a windshield is between $200 and $400. Costs can vary widely, however, depending on:

• Geographic location
• Vehicle type
• Vehicle features and add-ons 

In vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), replacing a windshield can cost as much as $1,650. Knowing the average cost of windshield replacement for your vehicle in your region can help you make the best decisions about insurance for your situation. 

When Will Insurance Cover New Windshield Cost?

As a general rule, drivers can expect their insurance to pay for a new windshield when:

• It is damaged in an automobile accident
• Damage occurs as the result of normal driving 
• Drivers hold specific glass coverage 

This coverage can be conditional on the type of policy a driver holds. Windshields are most commonly covered under:

• Collision policies
• Comprehensive policies
• Full Glass policies 

Drivers who carry only liability insurance may have less coverage. Also, insurers may choose to pay for windshield repairs rather than full replacements when damage is minor. 

Deductibles 

Importantly, while insurance will often pay for windshield replacements, it may not pay for the whole cost. Depending on their policy type and how much money they have already spent on car repairs, drivers may be liable for a deductible before their insurance coverage kicks in. 

In many cases, the cost of replacing a windshield may be less than a driver's deductible. So, for instance, imagine that your car insurance deductible is $500 and the cost of a replacement windshield for your car is $250. 

If you have already paid your deductible getting previous work done on your vehicle this year, your insurance will likely cover the whole $250 cost of a new windshield. If you have not yet paid anything toward your deductible, you will have to pay the $250 windshield replacement cost out of pocket. It will contribute to your deductible, meaning that next time your car needs work, you only need to pay $250 before your insurance kicks in. 

Depending on what state you live in, state law may exempt safety features from insurance deductibles. In that case, your insurance would pay for your new windshield regardless of the status of your deductible. Similarly, if you have a Full Glass policy, you may not need to pay a deductible before your coverage kicks in. 

When Won't Insurance Cover a New Windshield?

While drivers can generally count on insurance to cover their windshield replacement costs, there are a few distinct times when insurance won't cover your costs. Understanding these situations ahead of time can help spare you unexpected and unwelcome expenses.

When Someone Else's Insurance Will Cover It

In most cases, your insurer won't cover damage to your windshield if they believe that it can and should be covered by someone else's insurance. For instance, if you are involved in an accident in which someone else is at fault, that person's insurance must pay for any damage your vehicle incurs. When that happens, your insurer will insist that the other party pay for repairs rather than paying out of your policy. 

Similarly, if another person inflicts damage on your windshield in circumstances outside of an auto accident, your insurer may insist that their homeowners' or renters' insurance pay for the repairs.

Knowing this can help you act accordingly. For instance, you may need to collect identification or insurance information or contact the police to file an incident report. Failure to do so may leave you unable to:

• Prove what happened and when
• Contact the responsible party or their insurer to file a claim
• Get your windshield replacement paid for by insurance 

Intentional Damage

If you intentionally damage your windshield, your insurer will not pay for a replacement. You will have to pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket. This is true even if you were under the influence of a substance and not yourself at the time.

Your insurance may also refuse to pay if you knowingly engaged in reckless or illegal activities with your vehicle that fall outside of safe and appropriate operating practices. For example, driving your vehicle through clearly unsafe and unreasonable terrain or at eexceessive speeds. 

Lack of Coverage

Your insurer may refuse to pay for a new windshield if you have only liability coverage and none of the following: 

• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• A glass policy 

Other Considerations 

Drivers should check their policies carefully when purchasing to ensure that they understand other details which can affect their ability to get their windshields repaired or replaced. For example, insurers may differentiate between factory standard windshields and custom windshields. This can be particularly important for drivers with:

• Tinted windows
• Specialty glass
• Embedded sensors
• Heated wiper areas
• Shade bands
• Lane departure systems

When in doubt, drivers should consult their insurance providers to clarify their policy terms and adjust their policies to best suit their needs, environments, and driving habits. 

Learn More

Ensuring that you have the right insurance can give you the peace of mind you need when it comes time to get a new windshield. Learn more about auto glass repair and replacement and how to best protect your vehicle by browsing the other great information on our Xtreme Auto Glass & Window Tint site today.