When it comes to windshield replacement, this is one of the most common questions we get from car owners: will my insurance go up if I claim for a windshield?
We get it: it’s an important question! Of course, having a functional windshield is vital for safety, but you also have a budget and need to know what it will cost.
Today, we’re talking windshields and insurance. Keep reading to find out if your insurance will increase after a windshield replacement claim–plus how to avoid it.
Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement?
Before we talk about whether or not your insurance will go up, we need to talk about insurance coverage rules. If your insurance doesn’t even cover windshield replacement, you obviously won’t have to worry about your insurance rates increasing. (You won’t be able to make a claim for a windshield.)
So when does car insurance cover windshields?
It depends on the insurance you have. While we wish we could give you a yes-or-no answer, this is a question you need to ask your insurance company.
However, we can give a few general guidelines to let you know if you can expect to be covered, based on the type of coverage you have:
- If you have comprehensive coverage, you can probably expect your insurance to cover your windshield. Comprehensive coverage is an optional type of coverage that protects against damage to your car beyond car accidents. That includes things like theft, vandalism, windshield damage, fire, accidents with animals, weather (like hail and falling branches), and natural disasters. This type of coverage is often required by your lender; unless you paid for your car in cash or have already paid off your loan, you probably have this coverage.
- If you have collision coverage, your insurance may or may not cover windshield damage. This type of coverage protects against damage that happens to your car during a collision. As a result, if your windshield isn’t damaged due to a car accident, collision insurance won’t cover the replacement.
- If you have liability coverage only, your insurance won’t cover windshield damage and replacement. Liability coverage is a mandatory type of insurance that covers any injuries or property damage you cause someone else while driving. This type of coverage doesn’t cover your injuries or car.
If you live in Kentucky and have comprehensive coverage, you can expect your windshield to be covered with no deductible. (It’s Kentucky law.)
We recommend looking over your insurance policies carefully and talking to your insurance company to make sure you understand what’s covered.
Depending on your specific coverage and policy, you might find windshield replacement covered completely, partially (material or labor), or not at all.
Will My Insurance Go Up if I Claim a Windshield?
Generally, we’ve found that a claim for a windshield doesn’t have much of an impact (if any) on insurance rates. In terms of claims, windshields are much less expensive for the insurance company than totaling your car, for example. As a result, it’s unlikely your rates will be dramatically hiked the following year.
However, if you’ve made multiple insurance claims over a short period of time–a few in the span of one year–a new windshield claim could impact your rates.
In our opinion, you shouldn’t worry about your rates increasing unless you’ve had numerous claims recently.
How Can I Avoid My Insurance Rates Increasing?
If you are concerned about your insurance rates increasing after a windshield claim, you do have another option: don’t file an insurance claim. This means paying for the windshield repair or replacement out of pocket.
This option is an especially good one for people who have higher deductibles–for example, $500, $1,000, or higher. (The exception here is if you live in Kentucky and have comprehensive coverage: as we said above, your deductible doesn’t apply.)
Let’s say you have a $500 deductible, and the estimate to replace your windshield is $400. Even if you file with your insurance company, you’ll still have to pay the full cost of the windshield out of pocket, because you haven’t reached your deductible.
If you think that your claim will make your insurance go up, you can avoid involving the insurance company entirely. Whether or not you want to make a claim is up to you.
Need Windshield Repair or Replacement?
Jack’s Glass is here to help!
Our auto glass pros are experts, and we’ll repair or replace your windshield quickly and conveniently. If you do decide to file a claim for your windshield, we’ll even go through the claim’s process with your insurer. You don’t have to do a thing!
Call us today to learn more about how we can help or get a quote for windshield repair or replacement.
