Is there such a thing as windshield auto insurance?

While there’s no such thing as windshield auto insurance, there is usually a glass policy included in comprehensive and collision insurance. This is an optional part of your insurance policy, unless you have a car loan, so not everyone has glass coverage.

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However, different companies handle broken glass claims differently. And, depending on your deductible, the company might not pay for anything.

Deductible Level

Many people believe that auto insurance companies don’t cover windshield repair or replacement. This is only partially true. One reason is that liability coverage won’t cover any damage to the owner’s car; only damage to someone else’s. This would include windshield damage.

Thus, people who only carry liability insurance don’t have windshield coverage.

The second reason why many think that car insurance doesn’t cover windshields is that, in most states, the cost of windshield replacement falls under the deductible amount.

For instance, if your windshield needs to be replaced and the cost is around $300, but your deductible is $500, then you’ll pay for the entire $300 out of pocket.

If you happen to have a very low deductible, such as $250, the insurance might cover part of it. In this scenario, you’d still have to pay $250 and then the insurance company would pay the remainder of the bill.

However, financial experts like those at MSNBC recommend keeping a higher deductible to save money on your premiums.

In some states, there is no deductible for windshield replacement. In Florida, Massachusetts, Kentucky, and South Carolina, state law prohibits insurance companies from applying a deductible to windshield replacement.

So if you have comprehensive insurance in these four zero deductible states, your insurance company will pay 100% of the windshield cost.

Free Windshield Repair

No matter what your deductible level, if you have a small chip it’s possible that your insurance company will pay 100% of the repair.

Because repairs are relatively inexpensive and can save money in the long run, some companies have set up a program that will pay for a repair before it gets to the point that a replacement is required.

Many policyholders are afraid to use these programs because they believe their premium rates will go up. While this may be true with some insurance companies, especially if there are many such claims made, most companies consider this a no-fault claim.

They won’t raise your premiums because they don’t consider windshield cracks or chips to be your fault.

For more information on how insurance companies determine the amount of the premiums they charge, read the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Guide to Auto Insurance.

Optional Car Insurance

Comprehensive insurance is the part of a car insurance policy that covers damage to the owner’s car that occurs in something other than a car accident.

While liability insurance is required in every state, and some states even require uninsured motorists and personal injury protection, no state requires comprehensive or collision coverage.

However, if you have taken out a loan to purchase the vehicle, the lending institution will require that you carry comp and collision coverage as long as you have the loan. Collision coverage will repair or replace your car if you cause a wreck.

Comprehensive will pay for repair or replacement if your car is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by hail, or if a tree limb falls on the car.

Comprehensive is also the part of the insurance that will cover windshield damage. Before buying a car insurance policy, find out how the company handles glass damage.

Some companies include all the windows in their glass coverage, while others only cover the windshield. Also ask whether they count glass claims against your premium.

Comprehensive and collision both carry a deductible, usually $250, $500, or $1,000. This deductible will apply to anything covered by these policies. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium will be.

There are other optional coverages you can add to your car insurance policy. Towing coverage will pay all or part of the bill to tow your car to a repair shop. The nice thing about this coverage is that most policies will pay for this even if you have a mechanical breakdown and need a tow.

Rental car coverage is another optional rider. While the other person’s liability policy will cover the cost of a rental car while your car is being repaired, if you are at fault, your collision coverage will not pay for this expense.

This rider will usually pay a set amount, like $30-$40 a day, for a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop.

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