Auto Insurance Coverage for Broken Windows

It’s not uncommon to have a crack in your windshield or a broken car window. But does auto insurance cover broken windows? Unfortunately, a basic policy won’t cover your windows. However, you can purchase auto insurance for broken windows by upgrading to full coverage.

Full coverage auto insurance, which includes collision and comprehensive coverage, will pay for glass repairs or replacement in many different scenarios. Still, some auto insurance companies require drivers to carry a separate glass policy, so you’ll need to check your policy to ensure glass coverage is included in a full coverage policy.

If you’re looking for cheap auto insurance for veterans that covers windows, compare quotes online from several companies to find the best coverage and lowest rates. Every company charges different rates, so comparing multiple companies is important to find your best deal.

Does auto insurance cover broken windows?

Your current auto insurance coverage may cover broken windows, but it depends on the type of coverage you have on your vehicle.

Does liability insurance help with glass repair?

Liability auto insurance coverage is mandatory in virtually every state. Depending on where you live, you may require different levels of liability, but all drivers need the following types of liability coverage:

• Property damage liability: Property damage liability auto insurance coverage helps if you cause an accident and damage someone’s vehicle or other personal property. 
• Bodily injury liability: Bodily injury covers you if you cause an accident and one or more people are injured. 

Where you live will dictate how much property damage and bodily injury liability coverage you need. Unfortunately, these auto insurance coverages do not help with glass repair. Liability coverage protects you from financial responsibility if you’re at fault for an accident. So, your liability coverage may cover the damaged windshield of the car you hit in an accident.

If you’re looking for auto insurance for glass coverage, you’ll need full coverage or glass coverage for glass repairs on your vehicle.

What does full coverage include? 

With full coverage, your policy includes collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage. These coverages protect your vehicle if you cause an accident or if someone or something damages your vehicle. In addition, full coverage helps in the following ways:

• Collision insurance: Collision auto insurance companies pay for damage to your vehicle if you cause an accident. Collision will cover your vehicle up to its actual cash value (ACV).
• Comprehensive insurance: Comprehensive auto insurance pays if theft, vandalism, wild animals, or inclement weather damage your vehicle. 

With full coverage, you have auto insurance for a broken windshield, whether someone else caused an accident or hail damaged your windshield. Full coverage also helps with auto insurance for a broken side mirror or auto insurance for a broken rear window in the same ways.

It’s important to check your auto insurance policy to ensure glass repair is included in your full coverage. Some companies may exclude certain types of glass repair or may have specific rules and regulations.

What is glass coverage?

Glass coverage is additional insurance you can purchase with certain insurance companies. For example, glass coverage helps with auto insurance for a broken door window or auto insurance for a broken sunroof, and you won’t have to pay an auto insurance deductible for broken windows or other broken glass.

If you do not have full coverage, or if your full coverage excludes certain types of glass repair, you should consider purchasing glass coverage with your insurance company. Coverage may cost just a few dollars a month and could help you save a lot if your car’s glass is damaged.

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How to File An Auto Insurance Claim for Broken Windows

If your windshield or windows are damaged in a car accident, you should first call your insurance company. Once you’ve called, your insurance company will walk you through the car accident claims process for broken windows or windshields.

When you call, your insurance company will need the following information from you to file a claim:

• The names of anyone involved in the accident
• The insurance information of anyone involved in the accident
• The location the incident occurred, what time of day it occurred, and what the weather was like
• Pictures of any damage to your vehicle and other vehicles or property on the scene
• Names and badge numbers of any officers that responded to the call
• A copy of the accident report

Once you provide the pertinent information, all you can do is wait. Your insurance company should contact you in a few days to update you on your claim and let you know how things are proceeding.

As your insurance company assesses the claim, you’ll learn whether your broken windshield is covered. If the damage to your windshield is not covered, you’ll need to make arrangements to fix it and pay for it out of pocket. However, if your auto insurance does cover the damage, the next step will be finding a repair shop.

Repairing A Broken Windshield 

Your insurance company may have a list of mechanic shops you can utilize when seeking repairs. Speak with a representative from your company to learn whether you can take your vehicle anywhere or whether you need to only consider certain shops or mechanics.

Once you decide on the shop you’ll use for your repairs, you must pay your auto insurance deductible before your insurance company pays for the repairs to your glass. You may not need to pay the deductible if you have glass coverage. Still, without glass coverage, you’ll likely pay a deductible before your collision or comprehensive auto insurance cover the rest.

Should I pay the deductible?

Depending on your deductible amount, it may not be wise to have your insurance repair your broken glass. For example, if repairs to your windshield cost a few hundred dollars but your deductible is $500, paying more for the deductible than you would the actual repairs doesn’t make sense.  

Similarly, if repairs cost $600 and your deductible is $500, you could save $100 on repairs if you file a claim with your insurance company, but your insurance rates could increase over time because you filed a claim. So, depending on the cost of repairs, you may choose to pay for repairs to your broken windshield or broken mirrors rather than involve your insurance company. 

Does auto insurance cover broken windows from vandalism?

If vandalism damages your windshield or other glass, your auto insurance will cover the cost of repairs, as long as you have comprehensive insurance. Typically, comprehensive insurance is included in a full coverage policy. So, you may have to pay for repairs out of pocket if you don’t have full coverage. 

Will filing a claim for broken glass impact my premium?

Filing a claim could cause your auto insurance rates to increase, but this depends on the nature of your policy. For example, some insurance companies don’t increase their policyholders’ rates if they file a claim in which they were not at fault, while others increase rates regardless.

If you have glass coverage, you shouldn’t see a rate increase, and you won’t need to pay a deductible. In addition, some people may choose not to file a claim with their insurance company to offset an increase in auto insurance rates if repairs aren’t too expensive.

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What happens if my car is totaled because of broken windows? 

If your vehicle is totaled for any reason, your auto insurance company will cut you a check for your car’s actual cash value (ACV), and you will need to look for a new vehicle. 

How can I prevent broken windshields and glass?

You can do a few things to prevent broken glass on your vehicle. First, deter theft and vandalism of your vehicle as much as possible. If you can access a garage, park there. If you don’t have a garage, park close to your residence. Also, try to park near a light source, so your vehicle is not sitting alone in the dark.

You can also get a protective film to protect your windshield and car glass from getting damaged or breaking if something like a rock or road debris flies up and hits it quickly. Driving defensively is another way to avoid a broken windshield or broken glass.

Auto Insurance for Broken Windows: The Bottom Line

You can purchase auto insurance that covers broken glass on your vehicle. If you have a full coverage policy, you should be protected if your glass is damaged in a car accident, vandalism, or inclement weather. Check your insurance company’s policy to make sure broken glass is covered.

You can purchase glass coverage to protect your windshield and windows if you don’t have full coverage. With glass coverage, your car is covered regardless of fault, and you won’t have to pay any deductible before repairs are made to your vehicle.

Shop online and compare auto insurance if you’re searching for a policy that includes glass coverage. Shopping online can help you determine which auto insurance companies in your area offer the coverage you’re looking for at a price that works with your budget.

 

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