Do I Have to Pay a Deductible for Windshield Replacement?

Last Updated on October 9, 2023

If you need to replace your windshield, you may or may not need to pay a deductible.

If you’re making a windshield replacement insurance claim under comprehensive or collision coverage, you typically need to pay your deductible.

Some insurers waive deductibles for windshield repairs. However, most insurers do not waive deductibles for windshield replacements (unless you live in a state that requires it).

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about paying a deductible for windshield replacement.

Key Takeaways:

1. You usually need to pay a deductible for windshield replacement if you file a claim under your collision or comprehensive coverage, unless your insurer waives or reduces it.
2. Some states (Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina) require insurers to offer zero deductible windshield replacement, while others (Arizona, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, and New York) have reduced deductibles or mandatory glass coverage options.
3. You may want to pay for windshield replacement out of pocket if the cost is lower than or close to your deductible, or if you want to avoid a possible increase in your insurance premiums.
4. You should contact your insurer to check their policy on windshield replacement deductibles and compare quotes from local windshield repair centers before making a decision.

You Pay a Deductible for All Collision and Comprehensive Claims, Including Windshield Replacement

If your windshield is damaged and needs to be replaced, then you might file an insurance claim under your collision coverage or comprehensive coverage.

Any time you file a claim under your collision or comprehensive coverage, you pay a deductible:

• Collision coverage typically has a deductible of $500 to $1,000. It covers damage linked to accidents – like a collision with another vehicle. If your windshield was damaged in a collision with another vehicle, you might file a claim under collision coverage. You pay the deductible, and your insurance covers all remaining costs of replacing your windshield.
• Comprehensive coverage typically has a deductible of $250 to $500. It covers non-accident damage to your vehicle. If a tree branch smashed through your windshield during a storm, for example, then you may file a claim under comprehensive coverage. You pay your deductible, and your insurance covers all remaining costs of replacing your windshield.
• You may not pay a deductible for windshield claims with some states or insurers. If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, your insurer waives deductibles on all windshield repairs and replacements, per state law. Many insurers also waive windshield repair deductibles, and some waive windshield replacement deductibles (assuming you have full glass coverage).

Should You Make an Insurance Claim for Windshield Replacement?

It may not be in your best interest to make an insurance claim for windshield replacement.

You don’t need to file an insurance claim for windshield replacement. You can avoid insurance and pay for windshield replacement out of pocket.

If your windshield costs $450 to replace and your deductible is $500, for example, you’re better off paying for windshield replacement out of pocket.

Making an insurance claim can also raise rates – especially if making a collision coverage insurance claim. You could save a little bit of money today on windshield replacement, only to pay higher insurance premiums in the future, wiping out cost savings.

Nobody is forcing you to make a comprehensive or collision coverage insurance claim. Check the numbers to see if it’s worth filing an insurance claim – or paying out of pocket – for windshield replacement.

Three States Have Zero Deductible Windshield Replacement Coverage

If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, you’ll pay zero deductible for windshield replacement.

By state law, insurers in the three states above cannot charge a deductible for repairing or replacing a windshield. That effectively makes it free to repair or replace a windshield.

As long as you have comprehensive coverage and live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, you can get a windshield replaced with zero deductible.

Other States Have Reduced Deductibles or Mandatory Glass Coverage

Other states require insurers to charge lower deductibles for windshield replacement or offer full glass coverage:

• In Arizona and Massachusetts, for example, insurance companies can offer $0 deductibles for glass repair and replacement. If you have this coverage, you’ll pay nothing out of pocket to replace or repair a windshield.
• In Connecticut, Minnesota, and New York, insurers must sell full glass coverage. By state law, insurers must offer full glass coverage to customers. You pay a few extra dollars per month, and your insurer waives the deductible for glass repairs or replacements. If you have full glass coverage, then you’ll pay nothing out of pocket for windshield repairs or replacements.
• In other states, insurers may still waive or reduce your deductible for windshield replacement claims. They’re not required by state law to do so, but some insurers offer glass coverage, reduced deductibles, and other perks to customers regardless.

Some Insurers Waive or Reduce Deductibles on Windshield Claims

Depending on your insurer, you could pay a reduced deductible or zero deductible for windshield replacement – regardless of your state.

Many major insurance companies waive your deductible on windshield repairs, for example. You’ll pay nothing out of pocket for windshield repairs. Other companies offer full glass coverage.

Companies that waive or reduce deductibles on windshield claims include:

• GEICO
• Progressive (for repairs but not replacements)
• State Farm (in states where legally required)
• Nationwide (for policyholders who add glass coverage)
• Allstate (for repairs but only if additional waiver is purchased)
• Liberty Mutual (for repairs but not replacements)
• Travelers (for repairs but not replacements)
• USAA (for repairs but not replacements)

Generally, major insurers waive deductibles on windshield repairs, allowing you to repair a windshield without paying anything out of pocket. However, if your windshield needs to be replaced, you’ll need to file a claim and pay a deductible – or pay for the full repair out of pocket.

Final Word

If your windshield needs to be replaced, get an estimate from a local windshield repair center, and then decide if it’s worth making an insurance claim.

You typically need to pay a deductible for windshield replacement. Unless you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, or your insurer offers a free windshield claim deductible, you’ll need to pay a deductible of $250 to $1,000 each time you replace your windshield (or pay out of pocket and avoid insurance altogether).

However, if your insurer waives or reduces deductibles on windshield insurance claims, then you’ll pay nothing (or very little) out of pocket to replace your windshield, which means it’s generally worth it to file a claim.

Contact your insurer to determine if they can waive or reduce your deductible for windshield replacement claims. Otherwise, it may be in your best interest to pay for the claim out of pocket.