Will My Auto Insurance Cover The Costs Of Windshield Replacement?

A windshield is prone to cracks and chips, and it can break if something strikes it too hard. A lot of times, windshields break because of large objects that fly at them while people are driving. If this happens to you and leaves your windshield broken, you will have to get it fixed right away. If you have the right type of auto insurance coverage, you may end up in a position where you do not have to pay for the full price of services.

What Type Of Insurance Covers Windshield Damage?

Having auto insurance is a requirement in the U.S. if you own and drive a car. Within an auto insurance plan, there are several different types of coverage, including:

  • Collision – collision insurance covers damage that occurs when you are involved in an accident with another vehicle. If you cause the accident and have collision coverage, your insurance company will pay for the repairs for your vehicle and for the other party involved.
  • Liability – this type of coverage covers damage to other parties if you cause an accident. If you only have liability coverage and do not have collision, your insurance company will not pay to repair your vehicle.
  • Comprehensive – this type of insurance coverage is optional, and it covers theft, windshield damage, damage caused by storms, and accidents involving animals.

If you have comprehensive insurance coverage with your auto policy, your insurance company will cover the costs of the window replacement, but this doesn't mean you will not owe any money.

How Much Will You Have To Pay?

Comprehensive insurance coverage works like all other types of insurance. It offers a certain amount of coverage, but it generally has a deductible. This amount could be $100, $500, or $1,000, and this is the determining factor as to how much you will pay for the work.

The second determining factor is the cost of the windshield replacement. According to Cost Helper, the average cost to have a windshield replaced is between $100 to $400.

When you find out the cost for the new windshield, you will need to determine if it is worth submitting the claim to your insurance company. To determine this, you should compare the cost of the work to the amount of your deductible, and here are the outcomes you may find:

  1. The costs are less than the amount of the deductible – if this is the case, you probably shouldn't turn in the claim to your insurance company. The insurance company will not pay for the bill if until the deductible is met. If the cost for the repairs is $400 and your deductible is $500, it wouldn't make sense to turn in a claim.
  2. The costs are more than the deductible – on the other hand, if the cost is $400 and your deductible is $100, you may want to submit a claim. You will have to pay the first $100, but the insurance company would pay the other $300.

What Else Do You Need To Do?

If you have not yet asked for a quote for the services, you will need to do this. Before doing this, you may want to ask your insurance company if you must use a certain shop for the windshield replacement. Some insurance companies will only settle claims through certain repair shops, but others allow you to use any shop you choose.

When you get a quote for the services, make sure you:

  • Choose a reputable company for the quote
  • Get quotes from several companies to compare them
  • Find out if they are using OEM parts or after-market products
  • Know if the services are guaranteed

Encountering a cracked or broken windshield is something that can happen to anyone that owns a car. If this happens to you, contact your insurance company and call a company that offers auto glass replacement services.

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