Whether you picked up a small chip from flying debris that has become a serious crack or your windshield has shattered, you likely have one question: Will my insurance company pay for windshield replacement or am I stuck paying for expensive glass repairs out-of-pocket?

The good news is that your comprehensive insurance policy will often cover windshield repair or windshield replacement. Let’s take a closer look at how much full windshield replacement costs, whether your insurance covers glass damage, and how to make an insurance claim for a cracked windshield.

How much does it cost to replace a damaged windshield?

If you don’t have comprehensive or collision coverage, you might pay a pretty penny to replace your vehicle’s glass. That’s because advances in motor vehicle technology mean your windshield replacement could require recalibration of expensive safety features.

According to the Insurance Journal, the average windshield replacement claim is about $400. However, Kelley Blue Book indicates that on vehicles equipped with wiper sensors or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic braking, replacing a windshield can cost $1,000 or more.

Does car insurance cover windshield damage or replacement?

There are several scenarios where auto insurance companies will cover the cost to repair or replace your windshield.

Yes, if you have comprehensive and collision coverage.

Whether your windshield breaks in an at-fault accident or the glass damage happens as a result of some other kind of accident or vandalism, your car insurance policy’s comprehensive or collision coverage covers windshield replacement.

The comprehensive portion of your policy covers glass claims that are the result of things like a broken tree branch or road debris. Broken glass repair costs from car accidents would be covered by collision insurance.

Yes, if someone else damaged your windshield in an at-fault accident.

If your windshield was damaged in an accident where the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay for a windshield claim. And if you have underinsured motorist liability coverage, windshield claims should also be covered even if the person at fault doesn’t have proper coverage.

Homeowners or renters insurance may also cover windshield claims if the car’s windshield was broken on someone else’s property as result of negligence or an accident such as a batter earning a strike when they send that baseball soaring through your car’s glass.

Yes, if you have full glass coverage.

Even if you don’t have an auto insurance policy with comprehensive and collision coverage, you can get full auto glass insurance as an add-on insurance product.

Getting glass coverage that covers windshield replacement in full may be a good idea if you live in a state that has severe weather or a lot of road debris, drive a vehicle off-road frequently, or your original windshield is 8-10 years old.

Windshield repair vs. windshield replacement

Repairing a windshield is much less expensive and time-consuming than replacing one. While you’ll pay hundreds to completely replace your vehicle’s windshield, most glass shops offer repair services starting at as little as $20 depending on the extent of the repair and the make and model of your vehicle.

How do you know if your cracked or chipped windshield can be repaired versus replaced? The following are a few guidelines used to determine whether that rock chip that turned into a crack is a good candidate for a cheap fix.

Each state is a little different, but in general most state laws mandate that your windshield can’t pose a safety risk. For example, in South Carolina windshield cracks are not explicitly mentioned but the law states vehicles cannot be operated if the driver's view is obstructed in any way.

Auto glass specialists also emphasize that it's crucial to get cracks and chips fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the windshield. Fortunately, the glass repair process usually only takes about 30 minutes and while you might still see a small blemish on the glass, the structural integrity of the windshield should remain intact.

How does a glass deductible for car insurance work?

One significant caveat to whether or not you’ll have to pay out of pocket for new vehicle glass is if the windshield claim is subject to a collision or comprehensive deductible. Most insurance companies require you to meet the deductible before they pay out for comprehensive claims for physical damage or a collision claim. Windshield claims are no exception.

What does this mean for your wallet? Let’s say you have a $250 insurance deductible and replacing your windshield will cost $450. That means you’d have to pay the first $250 and then your insurance would pay the rest through a comprehensive claim process. However, if your deductible is $500, you’d end up paying the entire cost out of pocket unless you have optional coverage for full glass replacement.

There are some states, such as Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, where you can get your deductible waived or where having to meet windshield deductibles before coverage kicks in is prohibited. In other states like New York, Connecticut, and Minnesota, you can add windshield insurance coverage that’s not subject to a deductible.

If the windshield only needs repair, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners says to contact your insurance agent to see if your coverage waives the comprehensive or collision deductible for glass repairs.

How is full auto glass insurance coverage different from comprehensive coverage?

Full glass coverage is an optional type of coverage you can add, usually for just a few dollars per month on your insurance premium. Because it’s designed to cover the cost of a windshield replacement or repair, it’s sometimes referred to as windshield insurance or windshield repair insurance.

Comprehensive and collision coverage automatically include glass coverage, but you’ll have to meet your deductible before any claims will be paid. The Insurance Information Institute advises that states that don’t automatically include glass coverage in comprehensive insurance coverage will often offer the coverage as an add-on option.

Your 6-step guide to filing a claim for windshield replacement

Got a crack in your windshield that’s spidering into a web? Explore your options for windshield replacement or repair before the damage gets ahead of you.

1. Understand what your insurance coverage includes.

Before you rush to file a claim online, understanding what your insurance covers is a good first step. Whether your car insurance will cover a windshield repair or replacement depends on several factors such as if the damage occurred as a result of an accident, your state’s laws and the amount of your deductible.

2. Determine — promptly — if your vehicle needs windshield replacement or repair.

Many of the minor dings and dents windshields pick up as a result of daily driving are simple and inexpensive repairs. But larger cracks and punctures are a different story. And bear in mind that waiting too long to address a problem can end up compromising the structural integrity of the glass or causing a complete collapse of the windshield.

3. Make sure your glass claim isn't covered under someone else’s insurance.

If the windshield damage occurred as a result of an accident that was determined to be the other driver’s fault, their car insurance should cover repairs such as glass replacement. Glass damage from falling debris or objects that occurred in a driveway might also be covered under a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

4. Call your insurance company to confirm your comprehensive insurance deductible.

Once you’ve assessed the extent of the damage and whether or not it’s covered by insurance, you’ll need to determine if filing a claim is actually worth it. Call your insurance company to get a clear idea of what your comprehensive or collision deductible is and how it will be applied toward your windshield repair or replacement.

5. Get quotes from auto glass repair shops that work with your auto insurance company.

It pays to shop around for quotes for most consumers, and glass repair is no exception. Make sure you know which glass repair shops work directly with your insurance and ask if they offer any discounts for working directly with your insurer on glass claims.

6. File a claim or get reimbursed through the glass claim process

If you do plan to use your insurance to cover the cost of a windshield repair or replacement, you’ll have to file a claim or work with a glass shop that will file one for you. Be clear about expectations for out-of-pocket costs and if you choose an out of network provider, contact your insurance company to clarify how you’ll be reimbursed.