Will My Premium Increase After a Windshield Claim?
One of the most common questions we hear from drivers is: “Will my insurance rates go up if I file a claim to replace my windshield?”
It’s a valid concern. A cracked or damaged windshield can compromise your safety on the road—but at the same time, you don’t want to be hit with higher premiums. In this post, we’ll break down how insurance coverage works for windshield replacements and whether filing a claim could affect your rates.
Is Windshield Replacement Covered by Insurance?
Before we talk about rate changes, let’s first determine whether your policy even covers windshield repairs or replacements. If it doesn’t, then there’s no claim to file—and no potential rate hike.
Coverage depends on the type of insurance you carry. Here’s a quick overview:
Comprehensive Coverage
Most windshield replacements are covered under comprehensive coverage. This optional insurance protects your vehicle against non-collision-related damage—like theft, vandalism, hail, falling debris, or hitting an animal. If your vehicle is financed or leased, this coverage is often required by the lender.Collision Coverage
Collision coverage applies when your car is damaged in an accident. If your windshield is broken during a crash, it may be covered under this policy. However, if the damage is unrelated to a collision (like a rock hitting your windshield), it likely won’t be covered.Liability Coverage
Liability insurance is the minimum coverage required in most states. It pays for damage you cause to others—not your own vehicle. So, if you only carry liability coverage, windshield damage won’t be covered.
Texas Residents: If you live in Texas and have comprehensive coverage, your windshield replacement is fully covered without a deductible, thanks to state law.
We always recommend reviewing your policy documents and speaking directly with your insurance provider to confirm exactly what’s covered.
Will My Insurance Rates Increase if I File a Windshield Claim?
In most cases, a windshield replacement claim won’t significantly impact your insurance rates. Because windshield claims are relatively inexpensive compared to major accidents or totaled vehicles, insurance companies usually don’t penalize drivers for filing one.
That said, your overall claims history plays a role. If you’ve submitted several claims in a short timeframe, even a minor one like a windshield could tip the scale and influence your premium at renewal.
Our advice: if this is your only recent claim, you likely don’t have much to worry about.
How to Avoid a Rate Increase
If you’re still concerned about potential rate changes, you have another option: pay for the repair or replacement out of pocket.
This route can make a lot of sense—especially if your deductible is high. For example, if your deductible is $500 and your windshield replacement costs $400, filing a claim won’t help—you’ll still pay the full amount yourself.
In that case, avoiding a claim altogether could be the smartest move. (Again, if you’re in Kentucky and have comprehensive coverage, this doesn’t apply—your deductible is waived for windshield claims.)
Ultimately, the decision to file a claim comes down to your coverage, deductible, and recent claim history. We always recommend getting an estimate first so you can weigh your options clearly.