Free Windshield Replacement With Insurance

Have you ever had a rock hit your windshield? Or maybe it was a branch that fell off a tree? Or even a game of catch that went spectacularly wrong? If so, you may have dealt with the struggle of replacing a windshield. Since many insurance policies have deductibles that are higher than the cost of replacing a windshield, drivers often have to pay $200–$400 out of pocket. In other words, their insurance policy covers the damage on paper but doesn’t actually help pay for the repair.

Depending on what state you live in, your insurance company may be required by law to replace your damaged windshields without making you pay your deductible first. But to be eligible for free windshield replacement, you will still need to have the right type of insurance coverage. This is because “free” windshield replacement just means that you won’t have to pay your deductible — you still pay for it through your regular insurance payments.

With this guide, we’ll tell you what states require insurance companies to waive deductibles for windshield replacements as well as what sort of insurance you need to qualify for this coverage. We’ll also take a look at how glass coverage policies work, which is a more widely available option for saving money on windshield replacement.

Which states have free windshield replacement?

Only Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina have laws that require car insurance companies to waive the deductible for windshield replacements if drivers have comprehensive or collision insurance. Outside of these three free windshield replacement states, some others require insurance companies to offer separate glass coverage with no deductible, meaning drivers pay for this coverage in addition to other forms of car insurance.

According to Hollander Law Firm, the state of Florida’s free windshield replacement law applies only to comprehensive coverage (not to collision coverage).

Even in states with no free windshield replacement or glass coverage laws, insurance companies may still offer glass coverage with a low or zero-dollar deductible. Take a look at the table below for an overview of what states offer free windshield replacement or separate glass coverage without a deductible.

Which car insurance includes free windshield replacement?

For states with free windshield replacement laws, drivers need collision or comprehensive coverage to qualify for coverage, depending on how their car’s windshield was damaged. Collision coverage applies to any damage to a car that occurs as the result of a collision with another car or someone’s property. Comprehensive coverage applies when a vehicle is damaged, totaled, or otherwise lost because of an event other than a collision, including fire, theft, vandalism, and falling objects. If a driver doesn’t have both comprehensive and collision insurance, they may have to pay out of pocket for windshield replacement.

For states where insurance companies are required to offer glass coverage, windshield replacement doesn’t have a deductible if the repairs are part of a glass coverage policy. In other words, if you purchase glass coverage and your windshield needs to be replaced, you won’t have to pay out of pocket for the replacement. 

If you live in a state that doesn’t require free windshield replacement or glass insurance coverage without a deductible, you may still be able to obtain windshield replacement coverage from certain insurance companies that offer glass coverage with no deductible.

Do you have to pay a deductible to have your windshield replaced?

Whether or not you have to pay a deductible to have your windshield replaced depends on your state. If you live in a state with a  “free” windshield replacement law, your comprehensive and collision coverage will waive your deductible for windshield repairs or replacement. If you live in a state where insurance companies are required to offer glass coverage, you won’t have to pay a deductible to have your car’s windshield replaced.

If you have comprehensive and collision coverage in a state without a windshield replacement law, you may have to pay a deductible before your insurance coverage applies to your windshield replacement. Since windshield replacement tends to cost less than $500, you may have to pay for all or most of the replacement cost with your deductible. That said, some insurance companies will waive deductibles for minor repairs, such as a cracked windshield.

How does a glass coverage policy work?

Glass coverage is a type of insurance policy that covers your windshields, windows, and any other glass that needs to be replaced after an accident. Glass coverage (which is also called “full glass coverage”) is sometimes included as part of comprehensive car insurance but may need to be purchased separately. Contact your insurance company if you’re unsure if your current plan includes glass coverage.

Some states require insurance companies to offer glass coverage as an optional form of car insurance. In other states, some car insurance companies offer glass coverage, while others do not. Purchasing glass coverage separately usually adds about $5–$10 each month to your existing car insurance rates.

What to Remember About Insurance With Free Windshield Replacement

• Most states don’t require free windshield replacement by law. If you’re in one of the three states that has free windshield replacement, it will be part of your collision or comprehensive coverage.
• Glass coverage functions similarly to free windshield replacement. While a few states require insurance companies to offer glass coverage, many offer this coverage to drivers in any state.
• In some cases, insurance companies may waive a driver’s deductible for minor windshield repair even if they’re not in a free windshield repair state. Contact your insurance company for more info on how they cover windshield repairs.