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Laura Berry

Former Insurance Agent

Former Insurance Agent

Joshua Adamson

Joshua is a copywriter at Obrella who for more than 10 years has been creating content about insurance, health care, and more. He helps companies explain complex insurance subjects in simple ways so that customers can make smart buying decisions. He spends way too much time binge-watching Netflix, loves the outdoors and has a cat who tolerates him.

UPDATED: Dec 11, 2023

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Does car insurance cover broken windows?

A basic auto insurance policy includes a range of important coverage, from bodily injury liability insurance to property damage liability insurance. However, a basic policy doesn't typically cover your shattered, cracked, or otherwise broken car window unless it was damaged as a result of an accident. If you're involved in an accident, your policy's collision coverage would likely reimburse you the cost of repairing your damaged car and its windows after you meet your deductible.

Whether it’s a sunroof, windshield, side window, or rear window, having a damaged window is a common car problem. Before you need to make any of these repairs, it’s a good idea to find out the answer to the question, “Does my car insurance cover broken windows?”

What type of car insurance coverage will pay for a broken window?

When one of the windows of your car is shattered, cracked or chipped as a result of something other than a collision, comprehensive coverage may pay cover car windows, and pay for them to be repaired or replaced. Once you’ve met your deductible, comprehensive coverage generally pays to repair or replace windows that are damaged as a result of fire, vandalism, a rock, or a falling tree limb. As with any other sort of incident involving your vehicle, you will need to file a broken car window insurance claim. This may or may not be to your benefit.

Keep in mind that the cost of repairing a chipped or cracked window may be less than your deductible. In that case, you’ll save money by paying for the repair yourself. On the other hand, the cost of fixing or replacing your car’s windows can get expensive. If the cost exceeds your deductible, filing an insurance claim for auto glass replacement might be the right move.

It’s important to know that comprehensive coverage insurance is optional, so you might not have it on your auto policy. If you do, you’ll want to ask your insurance provider if it’s all-inclusive. Some policies only cover broken glass from you side and rear windows, but won’t pay the replacement or repair cost for your car’s windshield. If that’s the case, you can usually buy a separate policy or add-on that will cover windshield repair.

Whether it’s a sunroof, windshield, side window, or rear window, having a damaged window is a common car problem.

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Should you fix a broken window yourself?

Unless you have the proper skills, you shouldn’t try to fix a broken car window yourself. You can use packing tape or duct tape and a plastic bag to provide a temporary cover until you can have the glass repairs done. Wear gloves while taping and covering broken car windows to avoid cutting yourself on an errant piece of glass.

What’s the bottom line?

In an effort to keep their insurance premium as low as possible, a car owner may choose to go without comprehensive insurance. However as you can see, it can come in handy when you need to repair or replace a broken window.

If you’d like to find out if you have adequate car insurance coverage, contact one of the professionals at Obrella. We can help you get the best insurance for your needs.

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