Windshield and glass claims: repair, replacement and deductibles

How windshield and glass claims work

Most glass damage comes from things you cannot control: a rock thrown up on the highway, hail, a falling branch, vandalism or a break-in. Those losses fall under comprehensive coverage, the part of a policy that pays for damage not caused by a collision. If glass breaks in a crash, it is usually handled as part of the collision claim instead.

Three things decide what you pay:

• Whether you have comprehensive coverage. A liability-only policy does not pay for your own glass. Comprehensive is optional by law but usually required by lenders, and it is part of what people call full coverage.
• Your comprehensive deductible. On a standard policy, you pay up to the deductible and the insurer pays the rest.
• Glass options and state law. Some policies include or sell full glass coverage with no deductible, and a few states waive the deductible by law.

Example: a replacement windshield costs $900 and your comprehensive deductible is $500. Without a glass waiver, the insurer pays $400 and you pay $500. With a full glass option or in a zero-deductible state, the insurer pays the whole $900.

Many insurers handle glass claims through a dedicated phone line or a glass network, which can schedule a shop or mobile service quickly. You can still ask about using a shop of your choice; see below.

Repair or replace?

Small chips and short cracks can often be repaired by injecting resin, which is quicker and cheaper than a replacement and keeps the original factory seal. Larger damage usually means a new windshield. Shops look at:

Getting a chip fixed quickly can stop it spreading into a crack. Until then, avoid sudden temperature swings, such as blasting the defroster on a cold morning, and slamming doors. Policies differ on whether the deductible applies to chip repairs, so ask your insurer before you pay.

States with zero-deductible glass laws

A few states have laws on glass deductibles. They differ in what they cover and whether you must choose the option.

Some details matter:

• Florida's law refers only to the windshield, so side and rear windows may be subject to your normal deductible.
• Kentucky's law covers recalibrating driver assistance systems when a glass replacement requires it, and applies to policies issued or renewed on or after April 2, 2024.
• South Carolina lawmakers have considered a bill to change the rule, so confirm the current law with the South Carolina Department of Insurance or your agent.
• Arizona's zero-deductible glass coverage is optional. You have it only if you chose it, so check your declarations page.

Other states may have their own rules, so check with your state insurance department. Where the law is silent, many insurers sell full glass coverage or a separate glass deductible. Our coverage checklist helps you see what your policy includes.

ADAS camera recalibration after windshield replacement

Many newer cars use advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Several rely on a forward-facing camera, often mounted behind the windshield near the rearview mirror. NHTSA describes lane departure warning as using a camera to detect when the car drifts out of its lane, and IIHS says front crash prevention systems use sensors such as cameras, radar or lidar.

When the windshield is replaced, the camera has to see the road exactly as the system expects. A small change in angle can affect how well these features work. IIHS-HLDI notes that crash avoidance sensors are expensive and often require calibration after replacement, and its data show collision claims for cars with these features cost about 10% more on average, even though the cars have fewer claims. Kentucky's glass law spells out that repairing or replacing damaged glass includes calibrating or recalibrating an ADAS system when the replacement makes it necessary.

Before booking a replacement, ask:

• Does my car have a windshield-mounted camera or sensor that needs calibration?
• Will the shop calibrate it, or send the car to a dealer or specialist?
• Will I get a written record showing the calibration was completed?
• Is calibration included in the claim, and does my deductible apply to it?
• Will the replacement glass have the correct brackets and clear areas for the camera?

After the work, check that no warning lights are on and that the features behave normally. If anything seems off, return to the shop before relying on the system.

Choosing a glass shop

You usually have a choice. Kentucky's law says a policyholder making a glass claim cannot be required to use a particular glass shop to be paid, although insurers may keep a network and explain your coverage. California's accident guide says insurers cannot require you to use a particular repair shop, and the Texas Department of Insurance says insurers cannot require you to use a shop on their list.

Network shops can be convenient, with direct billing and mobile service. If you choose your own shop, ask your insurer up front how much it will pay, so you are not left with a balance. Some glass shops offer to file the claim for you. Read anything you sign, and keep a copy of the invoice showing the glass, labor and calibration charges.

How to file a windshield claim

1. Check your policy for comprehensive coverage, your deductible and any full glass or glass deductible option.
2. Photograph the damage close up and from a distance, and note when and where it happened.
3. Contact your insurer or its glass claims line, or ask your chosen shop to start the claim.
4. Ask whether the damage can be repaired instead of replaced, and whether your deductible applies.
5. Confirm whether your car needs ADAS recalibration and who will do it.
6. Schedule the repair at a shop or with a mobile service.
7. Inspect the work, check for warning lights and keep the invoice and calibration record.

Will a glass claim raise my rates?

Glass claims are comprehensive claims, and those usually count for less than at-fault accidents. Frequent claims can still matter. In Massachusetts, comprehensive claims add surcharge points only after 4 or more claims totaling $2,000 or more. In Texas, after 3 flying gravel or object claims in 36 months, an insurer can raise your deductible. See rates after a claim for how other claims are treated, and comprehensive coverage for what else it pays for.