Does Nationwide Offer Windshield Replacement?
Last Updated on October 13, 2023
Nationwide is a popular and well-known car insurance company. But does Nationwide offer windshield replacement?
Nationwide offers windshield repairs and replacements to drivers with comprehensive and collision coverage (also known as full coverage). Depending on the damage and your state of residence, you may or may not pay a deductible.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about Nationwide’s windshield replacement coverage and how it works.
Table of Contents:
- How Nationwide Covers Windshield Repairs and Replacements
- How to Start a Windshield Claim with Nationwide
- Should You Repair or Replace a Damaged Windshield?
- Do You Pay a Deductible for Windshield Repairs and Replacements?
- Is It Worth Making a Claim for Windshield Repairs or Replacements?
How Nationwide Covers Windshield Repairs and Replacements
Nationwide provides windshield repair and replacements to drivers with full coverage car insurance.
Depending on how your windshield damage occurred, you could make a claim through your comprehensive coverage or collision coverage.
Collision Coverage: If you damaged your vehicle when colliding with another vehicle or object, then you make a claim through your collision coverage (assuming you were at fault). You pay your collision coverage deductible, and Nationwide covers the remaining cost of repairing or replacing your windshield. Typically, your collision coverage deductible is around $500.
Comprehensive Coverage: If your windshield was damaged by a rock, an animal, hail, or similar damages outside of an accident, then you make a claim through your comprehensive coverage. You pay your comprehensive coverage deductible, and Nationwide covers the remaining costs of repairing or replacing your windshield. Typically, your comprehensive coverage deductible is around $250.
Once you’ve verified coverage, you can contact Nationwide to initiate the claim. Nationwide will repair your glass via its Glass Service Program.
Nationwide’s Glass Service Program repairs your glass at a local repair shop via its On Your Side Claims Service Network. Or, a technician can arrive at your home, office, or other location to repair your windshield.
How to Start a Windshield Claim with Nationwide
Nationwide makes it easy to start and complete a windshield claim. Here’s how it works:
- If you’re on the road and the windshield damage is obscuring your vision, pull over to a safe location and put on your emergency lights
- Start your auto glass claim with Nationwide online; or, call 1-800-421-3535 and state “glass only”
- Provide Nationwide with your vehicle’s year, make, and model
- Pick the date, time, and place for repairs or replacement
That’s it! Nationwide will dispatch a technician to your location. Or, you’ll visit a local repair center for windshield repairs and replacements.
If you get your windshield repaired or replaced in a shop within Nationwide’s Claims Service Network, then Nationwide guarantees repairs.
Should You Repair or Replace a Damaged Windshield?
As Nationwide explains, you should repair or replace your windshield after damage occurs. Even if that damage seems minor, it could affect the structural integrity of your windshield, increasing your risk.
Some things to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your windshield include:
- A technician may be able to repair minor auto glass damage
- Major windshield damage may need replacement
- Left unrepaired, even a chip or crack can spread and shatter
- Repairing or replacing your windshield today will protect you and your passengers and help maintain your car’s structural integrity
- Nationwide waives your deductible for windshield repairs (but not windshield replacements)
If you’re unsure whether damage can be repaired or if your windshield needs replacement, visit a local glass repair center. A technician can check the damage to determine if you should repair or replace your windshield.
Do You Pay a Deductible for Windshield Repairs and Replacements?
Nationwide, like all insurance companies, may or may not require you to pay a deductible for windshield repairs or replacements.
Most drivers pay their deductible for windshield replacements. However, Nationwide waives the deductible for windshield repairs. If a technician only needs to repair your windshield (instead of completely replacing it), then you may pay nothing out of pocket. Nationwide covers everything.
Meanwhile, three states forbid insurers from charging a deductible for windshield repairs or replacements. If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, then Nationwide cannot charge your deductible for windshield repairs or replacements.
Here’s how it works:
Windshield Repairs: If your windshield has minor damage and can be safely repaired, then you can make a claim through Nationwide, and you will not pay your deductible. Nationwide covers the full cost of repairing your windshield, and your premiums will not increase. As long as you have collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, you should get free windshield repairs with Nationwide.
Windshield Replacement: If your windshield has major damage, then it may need to be replaced. Even seemingly minor damages could lead to windshield replacement. If your windshield needs to be replaced, then Nationwide requires you to pay your collision or comprehensive coverage deductible (depending on how your windshield damage occurred). Then, Nationwide covers the rest.
Windshield Repairs or Replacements in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina: Drivers in Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina get free windshield repairs and replacements with Nationwide due to state law. Whether your windshield needs to be repaired or replaced, Nationwide covers all windshield damage without requiring a deductible.
Drivers with Full Glass Coverage: Nationwide offers full glass coverage in some states. For an added fee, drivers pay a $0 deductible for all windshield repair and replacement claims. By law, Nationwide must offer this coverage in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York. If you have full glass coverage, then you pay a $0 deductible for all windshield repairs and replacements.
Deductibles vary based on whether you’re using collision or comprehensive coverage. A collision coverage deductible is typically around $500 to $1,000, for example, while a comprehensive coverage deductible is around $250 to $500.
Is It Worth Making a Claim for Windshield Repairs or Replacements?
It may or may not be worth it to make a claim for windshield repairs or replacements.
If it costs $450 to replace your windshield, for example, and your comprehensive coverage deductible is $500, then it would not be worth it to make a claim to replace your windshield; instead, you’re better off paying out of pocket for windshield repairs.
Check your Nationwide insurance policy to verify your coverage and deductibles. Depending on your policy, it may or may not be in your best interest to make a claim for windshield repairs or replacements (although it’s almost always in your best interest to repair a broken or damaged windshield).
Final Word – Nationwide Windshield Replacement
Yes, Nationwide offers windshield replacement. If you have full coverage car insurance with Nationwide, then Nationwide will cover the cost of replacing your windshield.
If you live in Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina, or if you have full glass coverage, then you will not pay a deductible for windshield repairs or replacements. Otherwise, you pay a deductible of $250 to $1,000 for windshield replacements, although Nationwide waives the deductible for windshield repairs.
To initiate a Nationwide windshield replacement claim, contact Nationwide today.
