Car insurance and windshield damage: when is it covered?

What is windshield damage?

Windshield damage is when a car’s windshield is chipped, cracked, or harmed in any way. A small crack might seem insignificant initially, but it can quickly spread and become a safety hazard if left unchecked.

Windshield damage can occur at any time, often when you least expect it. Flying stones, a collision with an animal, or a fallen tree… your windshield is vulnerable to damage from all such causes.

Once a crack forms, the glass will weaken over time even if nothing hits it. Vibration from the car’s movement, outdoor humidity, and water pressure from a car wash can all aggravate existing fractures.¹ Driving over potholes can intensify the damage, too. Another common threat is using the car heater to defrost your windows — the change in temperature can expand a rock chip into a noticeable crack in seconds.

A severely broken windshield is dangerous to drive with. In fact, driving with an obstructed view is prohibited in Ontario and most other provinces, as it puts you (and other motorists) at risk. If a police officer spots an unsafe windshield, they can issue a ticket and even order the vehicle off the road until repairs are done. A ticket can easily run into the hundreds of dollars.

The best way to avoid a fine? Keep your windshield in top condition.

How much do windshield repairs cost?

Minor damage (like small chips and nicks) is usually cheap to fix. A glass technician may charge $80 to $150, depending on the size and location of the damage.²

If there’s a full-blown crack (especially in the driver’s line of sight), repair might no longer be an option. At that point, you’ll likely need to replace the whole windshield. Windshield replacement prices range from $190 to $400, depending on the car model, glass type, and installation complexity. With luxury cars, expect to pay $1,000 or more for a replacement windshield, especially if the car comes equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems, like a heads-up display.³

Deciding whether to repair or replace can be a tough call to make. Repairs may be possible if:

• Damage is not in the driver’s primary viewing area
• There is only one chip, which is smaller than the size of a looney
• There is only one crack, which is shorter than the length of a dollar bill

If the damage is worse, a replacement will likely be necessary. In any case, consider visiting a professional sooner than later. It’s better to err on the side of caution when it’s a matter of your personal safety and vehicle maintenance.

Fortunately, car insurance may offer some support.

Car insurance and windshield damage

Car insurance offers protection against various forms of damage — windshield damage is no exception. In most provinces, however, insurance for windshields is optional. If you didn’t have it on your policy prior to the damage, your insurance won’t cover the repairs or replacement.

You can protect your windshield by adding any of the following coverages to your policy, all of which Square One offers:

• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage
• All perils coverage
• Specified perils coverage

Collision coverage will pay to repair the insured vehicle if it’s damaged in a car accident, but only if you are at fault or partially at fault. It won’t respond to damage caused by a flying rock, for example. If you crash into another car and your windshield breaks, it would be considered part of the covered repairs. If you follow that with a claim, your coverage will kick in once you pay the applicable deductible.

Comprehensive coverage, meanwhile, insures the vehicle against things that aren’t collisions, like vandalism, natural disasters, animals, and falling or flying objects. Commonly, comprehensive insurance plans include glass coverage, which pays for damage to the vehicle’s windshield and other glass.

Comprehensive coverage has a deductible, too, but it’s often not applied to minor glass repairs of rock chips or dings. After all, they’re low-cost fixes that can be patched up quickly and can help reduce the risk of larger cracks that would require replacement. But practices can vary between insurers, so you’ll still want to verify. If your windshield needs to be replaced entirely, that’s when you’d have to pay the deductible.

Like most insurance providers, Square One applies the same rule for comprehensive windshield claims. Customers won’t need to pay a deductible for minor repairs but may need to do so for windshield replacement.

Some insurance companies offer full glass coverage on comprehensive policies, potentially allowing you to replace the entire windshield without a deductible. You should speak with your insurer to know if this is an option.

Even with comprehensive coverage, your vehicle might not necessarily be covered for a rock chip or crack. If you carry a glass restriction, for instance, you will not be covered for damage caused by falling and flying objects. Your insurer may have added the restriction due to your claims history, or you may have chosen to restrict your glass coverage in return for a reduced premium.

For peace of mind, many people opt for both collision and comprehensive coverage on their policies, which is similar to buying all perils coverage. All perils will cover a car’s windshield against most, if not all, insurable causes of loss or damage.

Specified perils might pay to repair the vehicle’s windshield, too, but only if it’s damaged by a peril specifically listed on the policy — it won’t respond to unlisted perils. However, many people prefer the broader protection that comprehensive coverage offers and opt for that instead.

Take a moment to read your policy wordings. If glass coverage isn’t included, ask your insurer if there’s an option to add it.

Making a claim for windshield damage

If your windshield ever gets damaged, you’ll need to get it fixed. But before going through your insurance, there are a few things you’ll want to think about.

First, you’ll want to ensure you have the right coverage in place. Some people choose to exclude collision and comprehensive coverage from their policies to save on their premiums, but this comes with the risk of paying for repairs out of pocket — a risk some individuals are comfortable with. Similarly, while choosing a higher deductible can lower your rates, it’s important to choose an amount you’re comfortable paying in the event of a claim.

Second, if you have comprehensive or all perils coverage, you’ll want to know how the insurer deals with glass claim deductibles. Many insurers will reimburse you to fix minor damage and waive the deductible but impose the deductible when the glass needs to be replaced. Some will impose it, whether it’s for repair or replacement.

Let’s say your deductible does apply; how do you decide whether filing a claim is worth it?

For the most part, it comes down to the deductible amount. When you make a claim, you’ll always have to pay the deductible (if required) before your coverage kicks in. So, before you seek insurance, it’s a good idea to gather quotes from different glass repair shops — this way, you can compare your options to make an informed decision.

Now, let’s look at an example of how different claim scenarios would play out:

1. Your deductible is $500, and the windshield repair costs $800. You will pay $500, and your insurance provider will pay the rest: $300.
2. Your deductible is $500, and the windshield repair costs $300. There would be no coverage since your deductible exceeds the claim value. In this case, you’re better off paying for the repairs out of your own pocket.

Generally, making a claim is worthwhile when the repair or replacement cost exceeds the applicable deductible.

Plus, with replacement, most auto glass companies work directly with your insurance company. They’ll handle all the billing and only charge you for what your insurance doesn’t cover.

Commonly asked questions

Is a cracked windshield covered under warranty?

Likely not. Car warranties apply to manufacturing defects and some forms of wear and tear. Unless your dealer can prove that the crack was a deficiency in how the windshield was made, there’s generally no coverage under a manufacturer warranty. Warranties also don’t cover glass damage resulting from objects hitting the vehicle — like cracks caused by a flying rock or other debris.

You may be able to find extended warranties that offer this protection, though it’s extremely rare. In most cases, you’ll need to open a claim with your insurer for accidental damage.

Do windshield repair claims affect your insurance premium?

Usually not. Windshield repair claims filed under comprehensive coverage won’t usually affect your rates, as a rock chip repair will prevent further loss or damage and improve driver safety. However, if someone makes frequent claims, the insurer might decide to raise their rates, increase their deductibles, or restrict coverage.

Sources

1. Thompson, Phillip. “Can a Cracked Windshield Shatter?” glass.com, 15 Jan. 2017, info.glass.com/can-a-cracked-windshield-shatter.
2. Aivaliotis, Terry. “Auto Glass Repair Costs: What Every Vehicle Owner in Canada Should Know.” All-Brite Glass & Tint, 1 Sept. 2024, allbriteglass.ca/navigating-auto-glass-repair-costs.
3. Morris, Austin. “It May Cost More than You Think to Replace a Windshield.” Kelly Blue Book, 9 July 2024, kbb.com/car-advice/it-may-cost-more-than-you-think-to-replace-windshield.

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