Does Car Insurance Cover Cracked Windshield?

There are tons of ways your car’s windshield can get cracked or break. While you’re driving on the road, small rocks and debris may hit your car’s windshield and damage it. Or you may accidentally hit a pothole, and the impact can damage your windshield.

In worst case scenarios accidentally colliding with another vehicle or object can also cause substantial damage to your windshield causing it to crack. With all these possibilities of your windshield getting damaged, you may be wondering whether your car insurance covers it.

The good news is, yes it does, and what’s even better is there are different types of auto insurance that covers windshield damage based on different situations.

When Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Damage?

Typically, car insurance covers windshield damage for various accidental damages which is covered by specific types of car insurance coverage. When it comes to windshield damage, there are mainly 4 types of auto insurance that provide coverage depending on the situation and how the accident happened, as follows.

Collision With Another Vehicle, or Object

Collision with another vehicle or object is one of the most common ways for windshields to crack. Regardless of whoever is at-fault, if your car’s windshield gets damaged due to accidental collision with another vehicle or object, your collision auto insurance coverage will pay for its repair and replacement costs. Moreover, if you accidentally hit an animal while driving, such as a deer causing your windshield to crack, it will be covered by your comprehensive auto insurance coverage.

Weather or Road Debris

While you’re driving, or when your car’s parked somewhere, your windshield can get damaged due to severe weather conditions such as storms, floods, and hurricanes. In these situations, your windshield can get hit by flying rocks, or a tree branch may break and fall directly on your windshield causing minor or severe crack. In these situations, comprehensive auto insurance will apply to cover your windshield’s repair and replacement expenses.

Vandalism or Theft

If your car’s windshield gets damaged due to vandalism, or theft, its repair and replacement costs will be covered by comprehensive auto insurance. Comprehensive auto insurance is designed to cover damages for unexpected events that are beyond your control, which includes vandalism or theft. In case of theft, you can claim insurance for windshield damage immediately after spotting windshield damage after your stolen car gets retrieved.

At-Fault Accident

If you get into an at-fault car accident in which the other driver is at-fault and as a result if your windshield gets cracked or damaged, the other driver’s liability auto insurance will cover the repair and replacement costs.
However, if the at-fault driver is uninsured or doesn’t have enough coverage, you may still be protected but only if you carry uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage (UMPD). If you don't have this coverage, you may have to rely on your own collision coverage or pay out of pocket.

Should You Use Insurance for Windshield Repair or Pay Out of Pocket?

Whether you claim auto insurance for windshield repair or pay out of pocket entirely depends on the accident and the extent to which your car has been damaged. Typically, after an accident it’s not just the windshield that gets damaged, other parts of your car can get damaged too.

So, it would be more feasible to apply for either collision, or comprehensive auto insurance to cover your car’s repair or replacement costs along with the windshield. However, if it’s only the windshield that got damaged, and if it’s within your deductible amount, then you should pay for it out of pocket instead of claiming insurance.

For example, if it costs $50 to repair your windshield or $100 to $400 to replace it, and your deductible is $500, you’ll have to pay the full amount out of pocket. That’s because your insurance won’t cover any costs until your deductible is met which, in this case, exceeds the cost of the repair or replacement.

On the other hand, if you have an expensive windshield that costs over $1,000 then it would be feasible to claim your car insurance policy to get it replaced. But remember, you will have to pay your deductibles first before your auto insurance coverage kicks in.

Windshield Replacement Cost: With and Without Insurance in Michigan

Depending on the make and model of your car, it can cost you $200 to $1,000 or more on average for windshield replacement. If you have collision or comprehensive auto insurance, then the cost of replacing your windshield can be significantly cheaper, ranging from $200 to $450 or more on average.

If you’re replacing your windshield for an expensive sports car, or a luxury car then your windshield replacement cost can exceed over $1000, or more.

To stay on the safe side, it’s always best to ensure that your windshield is covered with auto insurance. So, if you’re located in Michigan, you should explore a reliable auto insurance agency offering coverage that protects windshields at a cheap rate.

Difference Between OEM and Aftermarket Replacement Cost

When it comes to replacing your car’s windshield, you’ve two options, either you can go for OEM, or aftermarket windshield. So, what’s the difference in terms of quality and cost?

OEM basically stands for original equipment manufacturer. OEM windshields are made by the original manufacturer, so the shape, size and quality will be exactly like the one that came with your car when it was brand new.
Aftermarket replacement windshields are cheap alternatives that are made by third party companies, so there’s typically no guarantee of the quality of the windshield.

So, in comparison OEM windshields are significantly costlier than aftermarket replacements. In Michigan, it can cost you $115 to $975.80 or more to replace an OEM windshield depending on your car’s manufacturer, make and model. Whereas an aftermarket replacement windshield can cost you less than $100, or around $200 to $400 on average.

Is it Better to Repair or Replace Your Car’s Windshield?

If it’s a small chip or a crack less than 3.5 inches, then it can be repaired. However, if the chip or crack is in the driver’s line of sight then it would be better to have it replaced. This is essentially because repairing a cracked windshield can somewhat distort its visibility, so that increases the chances of getting into an accident.

If the crack is minor, roughly less than 3.5 inches, and it’s located on a corner or any side of the windshield then you can get it repaired. Here’s a tip that should help you decide whether to repair or replace a windshield. If the crack on your windshield is bigger than a dollar bill, then it’s highly recommended that you consider replacing it.

Glass is not easy to repair, and repaired glass can always have distortions which can hamper driving visibility. So, if it’s possible, it’s better to have it replaced rather than repairing it, unless it’s a tiny chip located in a spot that does not cover the driver’s line of sight.

Also, cracks near the edges or corners of the windshield can weaken the structural integrity, which may also require a full replacement. On the other hand, you can have the windshield inspected by an auto repair mechanic, and if they say it’s safe to repair then you can consider that.

When it comes to glass repairs, the advantage in Michigan and many other US states is, it has zero insurance deductibles, which means the repair costs directly come from your coverage without having to pay any deductible amount.

Steps to Make an Insurance Claim for Windshield Damage

If you’re about to claim your comprehensive or collision auto insurance for windshield damage, here are the steps that you should follow for a smooth, and hassle-free claims process.

• Contact your insurer and inform them that your windshield has been damaged due to an accident.
• Describe the incident and provide details that you’re asked to provide. 
• Express your desire to claim your car insurance for windshield damage. 
• Follow the guidelines, submit necessary documents and complete necessary paperwork to officially make the claim. 
• Wait for your insurance company to inspect your car’s windshield and validate the legitimacy of the claim. 
• Once everything checks out, your insurance company should cover the expenses of the windshield repair or replacement costs.

Typically, car insurance claims process is really quick and easy. You can even get it done over a phone call, or by submitting an online form, and get covered within the same day, or a week.
Although many insurers in Michigan offer zero deductibles, there are some insurers that don’t. So, before you claim insurance, it is first important to make sure whether you’ve to pay deductibles, and if so, how much.
If the cost of repairing/replacing your car’s windshield is within the deductible amount, then you will have to pay it out of pocket, as your insurer won’t cover it unless it exceeds the deductible amount.

The Bottom Line: Your Windshield is Covered by Car Insurance

The best part is, whether you’re in Michigan, or anywhere in the U.S. windshield damages are covered by multiple auto insurance coverages mainly comprising of, collision auto insurance, and comprehensive auto insurance. If another driver is at fault, their liability insurance may pay for the repair or replacement cost of your windshield.

Typically, these auto insurance coverages are often bundled together, commonly known as full coverage. So, if you have full coverage insurance, you will be financially covered against windshield damage.

If you’re interested in ensuring windshield coverage in Michigan, you can contact us to get a free quote, and consultation with one our insurance experts.

FAQs

Is it worth it to use insurance for a cracked windshield?

If your insurer allows zero deductibles then it is worth it to use insurance to repair/replace a cracked windshield. On the other hand, if deductibles apply, and if your windshield’s replacement cost exceeds your deductibles then it is worth it to use insurance.  

Do you report a cracked windshield to insurance?

If you want to cover the damage to your car’s windshield using your insurance policy, then you must report the chipped or cracked windshield to your insurer. Based on your auto insurance claim, your insurer will investigate your car’s windshield damage, and if your claim turns out to be legitimate your windshield repair/replacement cost will be covered by your insurance policy. Keep in mind that if the repair cost is less than your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim, since you'd pay out of pocket either way. 

Will my insurance go up if I claim a cracked windshield?

The biggest risk of claiming auto insurance is, whenever you claim it and get coverage for the damages including windshield repair or replacement, there’s a high chance that your insurer will charge you a higher rate in the following year. This is because the more insurance claims you make, the more your insurer needs to invest in you to cover the damages up to your coverage limit which essentially elevates your insurer’s costs.  

How urgent is a cracked windshield?

If your windshield damage impairs your driving visibility, then you urgently need to get it repaired or replaced. Even if the damage is a small chip or crack it can gradually expand and crack the entire windshield. So, to prevent the chances of an accident or to secure yourself from increased costs it is urgent to promptly address and fix a cracked windshield.