Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?

Most drivers know their vehicle insurance policy comes into play after a road-going calamity with another car – that is, if they ever think about insurance at all. But what if something less dire (but equally frustrating) happens in the form of a broken windshield. Will one’s insurance coverage pay for the replacement of that huge expanse of glass?

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The answer, as it often is with insurance, is an unequivocal ‘it depends’. At the risk of oversimplification, policies can be broken down into comprehensive coverage and basic liability. The latter is required by law in just about every jurisdiction in North America and assures other drivers with whom you share the road that they won’t be on the hook financially if you run into them in an at-fault situation. Think of it as a simple ‘my bad’ policy. In such a case, damage to items like windshields is generally not covered and you’re on your own to pay for a replacement.

Comprehensive coverage is a different kettle of fish entirely. A knowledgeable insurance provider like Toyota Insurance will have asked pertinent questions to provide you with a level of coverage suitable to your needs and expectations – including one’s thought about glass repair.

It is worth keeping in mind that today’s modern vehicles are often peppered with forward-facing sensors, some of which could be tucked up near the rear-view mirror and peering at the road ahead through the windshield. If that’s the case with your car, there is a strong possibility that extra calibrations of that safety equipment will be required after a windshield replacement. That type of work can generally only be done (properly) at an authorized repair facility – and even some of those shops need to send the vehicle out to a dealer for final completion of the job.

If this sounds expensive, that’s because it absolutely is. The days of cutting a windshield out of a parts vehicle at the junkyard with an old guitar string and installing a new one with a tube of adhesive leftover from a home improvement project are largely in the past. Dealer rates for labor are high, as they should be for professionally trained technicians, to say nothing of the cost of the windshield itself. This helps explain why having robust glass coverage on your comprehensive insurance policy is a smart move.

Another piece of the puzzle is the amount of your deductible for windshield repair. A deductible is an agreed upon fixed amount of money a policyholder needs to pay prior to a garage starting work on the vehicle. This sum can vary wildly, which is why Toyota insurance will ask plenty of questions about your level of comfort in terms of deductible amount, which can range from $0 to over four figures. Regardless of the figure, it will likely be less than paying for a new windshield out of one’s own pocket. Many companies routinely waive deductibles altogether if you agree to let a glass company repair your windshield instead of replace it. This can be a very cost-effective solution for the annoying stone chip that inevitably appears right in your field of vision! Check with your provider to make sure you have this feature.

Still, some folks may find it difficult to come up with $1,000 out of the blue, which is why a good insurance partner will recommend options with deductibles for glass of $500, $250, or even just $100. Be aware that as a deductible shrinks, the total policy price tends to grow since insurance companies view it as taking on more risk. “Toyota Insurance can help you navigate reporting a claim by calling us,” the company explained to us via email. In many cases Toyota Insurance has partnered with insurance companies that also allow reporting a claim online.”

As an aside, some glass shops in certain areas of the county may advertise free glass repair in which they purport to pay the deductible on your behalf, leaving you making little or no spend out of pocket. The general idea here is that the shop is making sufficient bank on the repair that they can afford to splash out on your deductible to earn the business (and profit). Carefully check for limitations to these offers and consult your insurance company before going ahead since they will be able to provide timely advice. They may even be able to help you find trusted certified technicians to perform quality repairs.