Does AAA Cover Windshield Replacement?
Last Updated on October 8, 2023
AAA is a well-known provider of roadside assistance and car insurance. But does AAA cover windshield replacement?
If you have comprehensive coverage with AAA, then AAA should cover the cost of replacing your windshield, minus your deductible. However, if you only have roadside assistance with AAA, or if you have basic liability insurance, then AAA will not cover windshield replacement.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about how AAA covers windshield repairs and replacements.
Table of Contents:
- Yes, AAA Should Cover Windshield Replacement If You Have Full Coverage Car Insurance
- Repairing Versus Replacing a Windshield
- Some Drivers Have Full Glass Coverage with a $0 Deductible
- How AAA Insurance Covers Windshield Repairs
- Does AAA Raise Rates After a Windshield Replacement Claim?
- Does AAA Roadside Assistance Cover Windshield Repairs or Replacements?
- AAA Has a Network of 7,000+ Approved Auto Repair Facilities
- AAA Members Save 10% on Certain Windshield Repairs and Replacements
Yes, AAA Should Cover Windshield Replacement If You Have Full Coverage Car Insurance
AAA is best known for its roadside assistance policies, but the company also sells car insurance through a number of carriers across the United States.
If you bought car insurance through AAA, and if that car insurance includes comprehensive coverage (i.e. full coverage), then AAA should cover the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield after a loss.
However, if you only have roadside assistance with AAA, or if you have basic liability insurance, then you need to pay for windshield repairs and replacements out of pocket.
Repairing Versus Replacing a Windshield
AAA covers claims differently depending on whether you need to repair or replace your windshield.
Repairing Your Windshield: If your windshield has cracks shorter than a one dollar bill, or if the chips can be covered by a quarter, then you may be able to repair your windshield instead of replacing it (unless there’s any damage directly in front of the driver). If you need to repair your windshield, then AAA should waive your deductible, which means you pay nothing out of pocket (AAA covers the full cost of repairing your windshield).
Replacing Your Windshield: If your windshield has more serious damage, then you may need to replace the windshield entirely. In this situation, you pay your deductible to AAA, and AAA covers all remaining costs of replacing your windshield. The average comprehensive coverage deductible is around $250. AAA will not raise rates after a comprehensive coverage claim.
Some Drivers Have Full Glass Coverage with a $0 Deductible
Most drivers pay a comprehensive coverage deductible to replace a windshield with AAA. However, drivers in some states, and drivers with certain coverage options, could pay a $0 deductible.
Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina: Three states require insurers to offer full glass coverage to all drivers with comprehensive coverage. If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, then your insurer cannot charge a deductible for windshield repairs or replacements. That means you pay no cost to make a windshield damage claim with AAA in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina. In fact, Kentucky and South Carolina require insurers to waive the deductible for most glass in the vehicle, including your windshield and other glass.
Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York: Five states require insurers to offer policyholders the option of purchasing full glass coverage. If you live in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, or New York, then you can buy full glass coverage, which means you pay a $0 deductible for windshield repairs or replacements with AAA and all other insurers.
Anyone with Full Glass Coverage: Even if you don’t live in any of the states listed above, you may have full glass coverage with AAA or an affiliated insurer. If you have full glass coverage, then you pay a $0 deductible for windshield repairs and replacements.
How AAA Insurance Covers Windshield Repairs
AAA’s insurance covers windshield repairs in different ways depending on how the damage occurred.
Hail Damage, Storm Damage, Collisions with Animals, Hit-and-Run Accidents, and Rocks on the Highway: Most windshield damage falls under comprehensive coverage, which protects your vehicle from damage that occurs outside of an accident. You pay your comprehensive coverage deductible to AAA (typically around $250), and AAA covers all remaining costs of replacing your windshield.
At-Fault Accidents: If you crashed your car in a single-vehicle accident, or if you were at fault in a multi-vehicle accident, then you make a claim through your own collision coverage. You pay your collision coverage deductible (typically around $500 to $1,000), and AAA covers the cost of restoring your vehicle to pre-accident condition.
Not-At-Fault Accidents: If your windshield was damaged in an incident where the other driver was at fault, then you make a claim through the other driver’s insurance policy. The other driver pays a deductible, and the other driver’s insurer covers the full cost of repairing your vehicle to pre-accident condition.
Does AAA Raise Rates After a Windshield Replacement Claim?
AAA, like most insurance providers, will not raise rates for comprehensive coverage claims, but they may raise rates for collision claims.
Most windshield replacements fall under comprehensive coverage, and you will not pay higher insurance premiums after a comprehensive coverage claim.
However, some windshield replacements fall under collision coverage, which means AAA treats them like at-fault accidents. At-fault accidents could cause rates to rise 20% to 50% after an accident.
If you are making a collision claim for your windshield damage, and your vehicle has no additional damage, then you may be better paying out of pocket for windshield replacement. Your collision coverage deductible may be higher than the cost of replacing your windshield. And, you’ll pay higher premiums.
Does AAA Roadside Assistance Cover Windshield Repairs or Replacements?
If you have roadside assistance with AAA, then your roadside assistance policy may or may not cover windshield repairs and replacements.
If your windshield is cracked significantly while driving, for example, and you cannot safely drive with your broken windshield, then AAA should cover the cost of towing your vehicle to the nearest repair center (up to a certain mileage limit). AAA covers emergency roadside breakdowns and similar incidents, and broken windshields could fall under your policy.
However, AAA’s roadside assistance is unlikely to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield. Even if AAA covers the cost of towing your vehicle to a repair center, AAA should not cover the cost of repairing or replacing your windshield.
AAA Has a Network of 7,000+ Approved Auto Repair Facilities
AAA maintains a network of certified auto repair facilities across the United States. These facilities have met AAA’s standards for appearance, technician training, certification, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
Whether you have auto insurance or roadside assistance with AAA (or neither), you can view the full list of AAA’s approved facilities here: AAA.com/repair
AAA inspects each approved auto repair facility regularly and surveys customers to verify performance.
If you have auto insurance with AAA, then you do not need to use an AAA-approved glass repair center. You can use any glass repair center you like.
AAA Members Save 10% on Certain Windshield Repairs and Replacements
AAA won’t cover the full cost of repairing or replacing your windshield if you only have roadside assistance. However, members still save money.
AAA members save 10% on repairs and replacements when working with Safelite, America’s largest auto glass repair network.
If you need to repair or replace your windshield and you are a AAA member, then consider booking an appointment with Safelite. Most of America’s largest insurers also use Safelite’s network for trusted windshield repairs.
Final Word on AAA Windshield Replacement
AAA covers windshield repairs and replacements if you have full coverage car insurance with AAA or an affiliated provider.
However, AAA will not cover windshield repairs and replacements if you have roadside assistance with AAA.
To begin your windshield replacement claim with AAA, or to check AAA’s list of approved glass repair facilities, contact AAA today.
