Insurance Claims
WINDSHIELD INSURANCE
You are driving along, enjoying the beautiful day, when suddenly a rock comes flying at your windshield and leaves a nice chip. Or perhaps, you walk to your car only to discover your passenger window has been smashed; or worse, you are involved in a collision that destroys your windshield. Not good. However, with windshield insurance you have one less thing to worry about.
What is Windshield Insurance?
Windshields are an essential safety feature of vehicles, and even the most minor damage can become a major hazard if left un-repaired. Windshield insurance is coverage that will pay to have your vehicle’s damaged glass repaired or replaced.
Does My Windshield Need to be Repaired or Replaced?
Repairing or replacing your windshield is a decision that depends on a number of things, such as the dimensions and depth of the damage, the degree to which it affects visibility, and the safety risk it poses for yourself. While minor chips out of view of the driver can be fixed, more significant damage will necessitate a complete replacement.
When to Repair
A damaged windshield doesn’t always need to be replaced. Repairing a windshield is less expensive than replacing one and these repairs are generally not subject to a deductible. The cost to repair a windshield generally varies by how much of the glass needs fixing.
If your windshield is damaged, you may be able to repair it if the crack or chip is:
- Less than six inches long
- Smaller than a quarter in diameter
- Does not penetrate the lamination in the glass
- Not located in the driver’s line of vision or edge of the windshield
Even if the glass damage is minor, it’s always a good idea to get it repaired as soon as possible. Small chips and cracks can often be repaired without needing to replace the whole windshield. Keep in mind that replacing a windshield breaks the factory seal and can increase the risk of leaks. The repair process only takes around 30 minutes.
When to Replace
Major damage can require replacement. This is because your windshield is actually a structural part of the vehicle by helping keep the roof from wiggling around. Stresses from a cracked or improperly installed windshield can weaken the roof and cause it to collapse, especially in a rollover accident.
A full windshield replacement is typically needed when:
- The damage punctured your windshield lamination
- You’ve already made several small repairs to the same windshield
- Windshield damage is larger than a dollar bill
- The driver’s view is impaired
- A camera or sensor is obstructed
The cost of a windshield replacement can vary based on many factors, including:
- Your car’s make and model
- Your location
- The type of glass used
NOTE: While waiting for your glass to be replaced, try to protect your car’s interior from weather damage. Park in a garage if possible, or cover the opening with tape and plastic. Be careful not to injure yourself on broken glass.
Types of Windshield Insurance
If your windshield or other types of glass on your car get damaged, auto glass coverage provides for a repair or replacement. There are three types of glass coverage:
- Comprehensive
- Full Glass Coverage
- Collision
When Comprehensive Coverage Applies:
Comprehensive is optional coverage that typically includes auto glass coverage to protect your vehicle from damage not related to car accidents or collisions.
If your windshield is damaged as a result of falling debris, hitting an animal, or other perils, then Comprehensive Coverage generally covers the cost to repair or replace it.
When repairs are necessary, the comprehensive coverage deductible is typically waived. If a windshield replacement is required, then the deductible would apply.
When Full Glass Coverage Applies:
Full Glass Coverage is additional glass coverage that can be purchased separately from your auto insurance policy. With Full Glass Coverage, you won’t have to pay a deductible for the either repair or replacement of damaged auto glass.
If your windshield is damaged as a result of falling debris, hitting an animal, or other perils, then Full Glass Coverage generally covers the cost to repair or replace it.
This car insurance coverage is also referred to as:
- Windshield insurance
- Windshield repair insurance
- Full windshield replacement insurance
Some states require insurers to offer this as a separate full glass repair plan and the availability of Full Auto Glass Insurance coverage varies by state.
When Collision Coverage Applies:
If you get in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, he or she will pay should pay for your windshield. You’ll need to file a claim against their insurance to cover the cost to fix your windshield.
If you are at fault and your windshield is damaged in a car crash, Collision Coverage typically covers the damage instead of Comprehensive. A deductible may apply.
Damage related to headlights, taillights, side markers, fog lights and some other glass requires a separate claim.
When Car Insurance Does NOT Cover Your Windshield
In most cases, if you don’t have insurance that protects against collisions, the insurance will not cover your windshield in the event of an accident where you were at fault.
Even if you have collision or comprehensive coverage, your insurance will not pay to repair or replace your windshield if you intentionally caused the damage. Keep in mind that many insurers consider the damage caused by an accident to be intentional if you were driving under the influence.
How Much Is Windshield Insurance?
Premiums for windshield replacement insurance or full glass coverage can vary. In some states, you can include your full glass coverage automatically in your comprehensive auto policy. In other states, you may have a separate fee. Be sure to check if car insurance covers a cracked windshield in your state.
When repairs are not feasible, some automobile insurance companies give a lesser comprehensive deductible. If you live in one of the “zero-deductible” states – Minnesota, Florida, South Carolina, or Kentucky – all comprehensive vehicle insurance policies must cover the cost of replacement or repair for your entire windshield.
People in Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York are given the option to choose a lower deductible for windshield damage when they purchase car insurance.
Is it Worth Filing A Claim?
In general, it’s worth filing a claim for glass or windshield damage if the repair cost is higher than your car insurance deductible.
For example, if your windshield replacement costs $400 and your deductible is $250, you’ll only pay $250, and your insurer will pick up the remaining $150. When your deductible is near or greater than the cost of a new windshield, it’s better to pay out of pocket. Don’t file an insurance claim if it doesn’t offer any savings.
Also, there’s no point in filing a claim if you don’t have Collision, Comprehensive, or Full Glass Repair Coverage, because your insurance won’t pay for windshield damage.
Does Filing a Windshield Claim Affect my Insurance Premium?
This varies between car insurance companies. Talk to your insurer for more details.
What Should I Do if My Insurance Doesn’t Cover Glass Damage?
If your car insurance doesn’t cover windshield replacement or glass damage, you should still get the repairs done. Many states have laws against driving with a cracked windshield. Plus, you’re putting yourself and your passengers at greater risk. Not only is it harder to see out of a cracked windshield, but it’s also more likely to shatter if something else hits it.
When to File an Insurance Claim
If your windshield breaks, before any repairs are made, you should file a claim as soon as possible. If the damage occurs while you’re driving, pull over as soon as you can, and report your claim immediately.
If your windshield gets chipped or cracked, you should file a comprehensive claim as soon as you can and before you proceed with repairs.
Important note: In either case, you shouldn’t wait too long after the damage occurs to file a glass claim, and the claim should be filed before any repairs take place. The longer you wait to get your windshield or window fixed, the more likely the chip or crack will spread.
Bear in mind, depending on your state’s car insurance requirements and policy, and if the damage qualifies for coverage, when you file an auto glass claim, the most you’ll need to pay is your deductible — your insurance should cover the rest of the bill. Some state laws, like Florida’s windshield replacement law, waive deductibles for broken windshields if the driver carries comprehensive coverage.
How to File Your Windshield Damage Claim
You may be able to file a windshield replacement insurance claim online depending on your insurance company’s procedures. If the damage was caused by another driver in an accident, call their insurer to file the claim.
If you’re filing a claim with your own insurance, following is an alphabetical breakdown by insurance company of how to submit your claim.
ALLSTATE
There is not a deductible for a glass repair. States differ on if there is a deductible for a glass replacement so you will need to check your policy to learn more.
When you file a claim to repair your windshield, your Glass Claim Express benefits include:
- 24/7 access to a Glass Claim Express expert
- 7,200 repair shops to choose from
- Some shops will even send someone to your home or work, depending on your vehicle manufacturer’s repair requirements
- Lifetime Workmanship guarantee on full glass replacements
AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE
American Family glass claims are a simple process! Submitting an auto glass claim or a windshield chip insurance claim only takes a few minutes:
You’ll need your policy number and the date the damage occurred to complete the claim filing process.
You can also contact American Family Insurance’s Glass Claims Department at 1-800-MYAMFAM (1-800-692-6326). They’ll help you through the process.
Deductibles: At American Family Insurance, if your windshield is repaired instead of replaced for a covered comprehensive loss, the deductible — which is the amount you pay before your insurance company steps in — is usually waived. However, if the windshield needs to be replaced, a deductible may be applied.
If your windshield is damaged in a car accident, your collision insurance would cover repairs or replacement. Your collision insurance will require a deductible.
AMICA
Review your auto insurance policy to find out if auto glass damage is part of your coverage. If you see “full glass” on your policy, you won’t have to pay a deductible – that means no out-of-pocket expense for a repair or replacement. If “comprehensive” is listed on your auto policy, you may have to pay out of pocket.
You can file a claim online or by calling 800-242-6422.
FARMERS
Get started by reporting your claim online at REPORT A CLAIM. Include your name, policy number, phone number and date of loss on all documents. Once filed, you can review your status at VIEW CLAIM STATUS.
To Schedule a Vehicle Glass Repair
There are two ways to report your vehicle glass claim:
- Schedule an appointment online with our preferred providers.
- Give us a call at 1-800-435-7764 if you want to use a glass shop other than a preferred provider.
For reimbursement for a repair already made
For reimbursement of glass repairs already made, submit your receipt or invoice along with your name, policy number, phone number, and date of loss included on all documents.
Ways to submit your documents:
- Report your claim online
- Online: upload your documents to an existing claim
- Email: myclaim@farmersinsurance.com
- Fax: 1-877-217-1389
Farmers Claim Services
National Document Center
PO Box 268994
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-8994
Your claim will be processed within 7-10 business days.
GEICO
This is usually covered under comprehensive coverage. Report the damage to GEICO as soon as possible. You can report your claim online and schedule a convenient appointment for the glass damage to be repaired or replaced.
GEICO provides a glass claim service that is fast and convenient.
HARTFORD
With full coverage car insurance from the Hartford, it only takes one call to get fast, professional windshield glass repair service.
You can get help filing a claim or scheduling your auto glass or windshield repair service by calling 800-892-8484. You can also file your auto glass car insurance claim online.
NATIONWIDE
If you have glass coverage, your deductible may be waived for windshield repairs, depending upon the facts.
What to do if your vehicle’s glass has been damaged
- If you’re on the road and the damage obscures your vision, pull to a safe location and put on your emergency lights
- Start your auto glass claim online nowor call us at 1-800-421-3535 and state “glass only.” Be prepared to provide your vehicle’s year, make and model
- Pick the date, time and place where you’d like the repair or replacement service performed
- Make a note of your referral number
- Glass repair done on your own schedule
PROGRESSIVE
With Progressive, with comprehensive coverage you can get a cracked windshield repaired without paying a deductible so long as the crack is repairable and less than 6 inches long. Plus, they offer a $0 deductible option for glass-only replacement claims in some states.
You can submit your claim through the mobile app, online, or by calling 1-800-776-4737 and providing some basic info. A representative walks you through your coverage and next steps.
They also ask for a few more details to determine if your glass can be repaired or replaced, and explain your costs and the benefits of getting it fixed right away.
SAFECO
Windshield and glass repair options are provided by a shop of your choice. The online claims process is fast, simple, and convenient.
You’ll be walked through to ensure every step along the way is captured, and you can make updates to the information you give at any time. Then you can easily manage your claim and track its progress in your online account after you’ve filed.
SAFETY INSURANCE
Information currently unavailable
STATE FARM
State Farm® has a fast and convenient claim process so you can schedule windshield and glass repairs at your convenience. State Farm covers both windshield repairs and replacements, depending on the extent of the damage. Your deductible may apply.
File a claim online, or contact your agent.
Massachusetts policyholders – call 800-526-8210.
Canadian policyholders – contact your State Farm agent.
Check your policy to verify you’re covered for repairs.
TRAVELERS
Report your glass claim online or contact your agent or policy services at 1-800-842-5075.
If your windshield needs to be repaired or replaced due to a chip or crack, you can select the shop of your choice to make the repairs. No matter who you choose to repair your glass, your shop will bill Travelers directly for the work and you will only be responsible for paying any applicable deductible.
In general, you won’t have to pay your deductible for the repair of chips or cracks to your auto glass. However, there are factors unique to each situation. Should the windshield need to be replaced, a deductible will likely apply. Check to see if you have a policy that includes a lower or no deductible for your glass claim.
In order to view your policy and deductibles, simply log into MyTravelers. Once logged in, click on your Auto policy and then “Policy Documents” on the right side. Select the link to view your policy. Your deductibles and coverages are listed on the pages directly after your insurance card.
If your glass replacement or repairs have already been completed, you can email your invoice along with proof of payment to Travelers. If you have an assigned Claim Professional, you can send it directly to them.
USAA
For glass repairs, your deductible will be waived. Should your glass need to be replaced, in most states you will pay the deductible. In some states, however, your deductible may be waived. To file a claim:
Step 1 Tell us what happened. We’ll get the details to create an estimate.
Step 2 Schedule an appointment. A technician can come to your location and do the work.
Step 3 Glass is repaired or replaced. Some types of damage may be repaired in as little as 60 minutes.
Step 4 Pay for service. You pay only if your glass is replaced, not repaired.