Does Erie Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?
Last Updated on October 21, 2023
Erie Insurance is one of America’s best-rated car insurance companies. If you have full coverage car insurance, then Erie should cover windshield replacement.
Erie covers windshield replacement through comprehensive coverage. If your windshield needs to be replaced, then you pay your deductible, and Erie covers the rest.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about how Erie covers windshield replacements.
Table of Contents:
- Yes, Erie Covers Windshield Replacements for Drivers with Full Coverage
- How Erie Covers Windshield Replacements
- Windshield Repairs Versus Windshield Replacements
- You Must Have Full Coverage Car Insurance to Make a Windshield Claim
- How to Make a Windshield Replacement Claim with Erie
- Some Drivers Pay a $0 Deductible for Erie Windshield Repairs and Replacements
- Is It Worth Paying Out of Pocket?
Yes, Erie Covers Windshield Replacements for Drivers with Full Coverage
Erie Insurance covers windshield replacements if you have full coverage car insurance.
Full coverage car insurance is optional in all states. It includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Most windshield repairs and replacements fall under comprehensive coverage.
With most comprehensive claims, you pay your deductible (which is typically around $250), and Erie would cover the rest. Windshield replacements, however, work differently:
For windshield repairs, Erie waives the deductible and covers the full cost of windshield repairs at no added cost to you.
For windshield replacements, Erie charges the deductible and covers all remaining costs of replacing a windshield.
Typically, it costs $400 to $700 to replace a windshield, so it’s in your best interest to file a claim with Erie. Erie will not raise premiums after a comprehensive insurance claim.
How Erie Covers Windshield Replacements
Erie covers windshield replacements in different ways depending on how the damage occurred:
- If another driver damaged your vehicle in an accident, and the other driver is at-fault, then you make a claim through the other driver’s insurance, and that insurance policy covers the full cost of repairing or replacing your windshield; the other driver pays a deductible, but you pay nothing
- If you damaged your own windshield in a single-vehicle accident, or if you were at fault in a multi-vehicle accident, then you make a claim through your Erie collision coverage; you pay your collision coverage deductible (typically $500 to $1,000), and Erie covers all remaining costs of restoring your vehicle to pre-loss condition
- If you live in one of 13 no-fault states in the United States, then you make a claim through Erie regardless of who was at fault for the accident; depending on how the damage occurred, you may or may not pay your deductible
- If your windshield was damaged outside of an accident (say, by hail, fallen tree branches, vandalism, or a hit and run), then you make a claim through comprehensive coverage; you pay a deductible of around $250, and Erie covers the rest (or, if your windshield can be repaired, then Erie waives the deductible and you pay nothing)
Windshield Repairs Versus Windshield Replacements
Erie covers windshield repairs and replacements in different ways.
- If your windshield only has small chips or cracks, then you may be able to repair the damage. If a technician can repair the damage, then Erie waives your deductible and covers the full cost of repairing the damage. You pay no added cost.
- If your windshield has multiple chips and cracks, large chips and cracks, or damage in front of the driver’s side, then it may need to be replaced. With windshield replacement, you pay your comprehensive coverage deductible, and Erie covers all remaining costs of windshield replacement.
In other words, you pay your deductible for windshield replacement, but you don’t pay your deductible for windshield repairs.
You Must Have Full Coverage Car Insurance to Make a Windshield Claim
Most states only require drivers to carry liability insurance. This is the minimum insurance needed to legally drive in most states.
However, if you only have liability insurance, then you won’t be able to make a windshield claim with Erie.
Erie only provides windshield coverage to drivers with collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, which are part of a full coverage car insurance policy.
If you saved money by choosing a liability-only or minimum liability insurance policy, then you may not be able to make a claim for windshield repairs or replacements with Erie.
How to Make a Windshield Replacement Claim with Erie
Erie lets you repair or replace a windshield at one of 8,000 auto repair and glass replacement shops that are part of its ERIEGlass nationwide network. Erie, like most insurers, partners with Safelite to give drivers plenty of windshield repair and replacement options.
Here’s how to make a windshield replacement claim with Erie.
- Start your claim. Call the ERIEGlass program at (800) 552-3743. Or, if you have other damage to your vehicle, call Erie’s ordinary claims line at (800) 367-3743.
- Schedule the repair. Erie customers choose who they want to repair the damage. You can work with Erie’s ERIEGlass network (including all Safelite locations). Or, you can pick your own glass repair shop. Erie will cover the damage either way.
- Complete repairs. If working with ERIEGlass / Safelite, you can visit a local shop or have a technician come to your location. It typically takes around 30 minutes to repair the damage, and it’s safe to drive the vehicle immediately after.
That’s it! If your windshield was repaired (without needing replacement), then you pay a $0 deductible. If your windshield needed to be replaced, then you pay your comprehensive coverage deductible.
Some Drivers Pay a $0 Deductible for Erie Windshield Repairs and Replacements
Drivers in certain states, and drivers with full glass coverage, could pay a $0 deductible for all windshield repairs and replacements.
Drivers in Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina: If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, then you pay a $0 deductible for all windshield repairs and replacements. Per state insurance law, insurers cannot charge a deductible for any windshield repairs or replacements that fall under your comprehensive coverage policy.
Drivers With Full Glass Coverage: Erie offers full glass coverage in some states. For a few extra dollars per month, Erie covers windshield repairs and replacements without charging a deductible. Erie is required to offer this coverage in several states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York.
Unless you fit into either of the above groups, you’ll always pay your deductible for comprehensive coverage windshield claims with Erie.
Is It Worth Paying Out of Pocket?
It may be worth paying out of pocket to replace your windshield if the cost of repairing your windshield is lower than your deductible.
If your comprehensive coverage deductible is $400, for example, and it will cost $350 to repair your windshield, then you’re better off paying out of pocket.
It’s also important to consider the impact on insurance premiums. Erie will not raise premiums after a comprehensive coverage claim. However, Erie will raise premiums after a collision coverage claim. If you damaged your windshield in a single-vehicle accident, or if you were at fault in a multi-vehicle accident, then you’ll pay your collision coverage deductible and face higher premiums after windshield replacement.
Generally, it’s worth filing a claim for windshield replacements that fall under comprehensive coverage. The average comprehensive coverage deductible is around $250, and the average windshield costs $400 to $700 to replace.
Final Word – Erie Windshield Replacement
Erie should cover windshield repairs and replacements if you have full coverage car insurance.
If you’re unsure about coverage, contact Erie to verify. Erie can walk you through the claims process and help you decide if it’s worth it to make a claim – or if you’re better paying out of pocket.
