Does auto insurance cover broken car windows?
Broken car windows are an expensive problem to fix.. Comprehensive or collision insurance covers damage to broken windows, but you may need to pay a deductible.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Oct 18, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- To file a claim for broken windows, you need collision or comprehensive insurance in place, depending on what caused the damage
- You will typically need to pay a deductible before the insurance covers the rest
- Insurance companies will specify how much they are willing to pay for repair
If you wake up one morning to find that someone has broken into your car through a side window, one of your first worries will be the expense of fixing the damage. You may wonder if car insurance covers broken windows. Read on to learn how it works.
Compare coverage options with many companies side-by-side. Use our free rate-quote tool to begin. Just enter your ZIP to get quotes that include the window coverage you need.
Does insurance cover broken windows?
Does your liability auto insurance cover a broken window? Unfortunately no. If you want to file a claim against your insurance for damage to one or more of your car windows, you will need collision or comprehensive coverage. To find out the difference between collision vs. comprehensive coverage, check out our guide. They are typically add-ons to a basic liability policy and provide you with different types of protection.
Comprehensive auto insurance covers glass damage if it’s due to theft, vandalism, weather events, or impact with a wild animal. On the other hand, what is collision auto insurance? Collision insurance will protect you if you hit an inanimate object or another vehicle.
Check out this table to see how much it would cost you on average to add comprehensive coverage to your policy.
Average Annual Comprehensive Auto Insurance Rates by State
| State | Average Annual Comprehensive Rates |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $146.28 |
| Alaska | $141.08 |
| Arizona | $184.20 |
| Arkansas | $183.36 |
| California | $99.29 |
| Colorado | $158.34 |
| Connecticut | $126.02 |
| Countrywide | $138.87 |
| Delaware | $113.23 |
| District of Columbia | $230.25 |
| Florida | $110.12 |
| Georgia | $153.61 |
| Hawaii | $100.09 |
| Idaho | $110.78 |
| Illinois | $117.98 |
| Indiana | $115.02 |
| Iowa | $171.58 |
| Kansas | $230.65 |
| Kentucky | $130.15 |
| Louisiana | $208.59 |
| Maine | $96.66 |
| Maryland | $146.77 |
| Massachusetts | $128.92 |
| Michigan | $147.02 |
| Minnesota | $173.04 |
| Mississippi | $194.74 |
| Missouri | $166.34 |
| Montana | $199.87 |
| Nebraska | $206.24 |
| Nevada | $116.79 |
| New Hampshire | $103.03 |
| New Jersey | $123.18 |
| New Mexico | $166.89 |
| New York | $156.66 |
| North Carolina | $123.00 |
| North Dakota | $227.64 |
| Ohio | $112.74 |
| Oklahoma | $201.56 |
| Oregon | $89.66 |
| Pennsylvania | $132.01 |
| Rhode Island | $122.17 |
| South Carolina | $165.38 |
| South Dakota | $228.59 |
| Tennessee | $135.62 |
| Texas | $186.70 |
| Utah | $106.57 |
| Vermont | $118.31 |
| Virginia | $129.89 |
| Washington | $104.11 |
| West Virginia | $195.04 |
| Wisconsin | $126.34 |
| Wyoming | $222.86 |
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The Difference Between a Windshield and Other Windows
There is a big difference between your side window and your windshield. Side windows typically have tempered glass, which is stronger than ordinary glass but could break into many shards or smaller pieces following a sudden impact. The windshield has laminated glass and will put up with more stress. When something hits the glass with sufficient force, its layers usually stay bound together in one piece.
Are there separate coverage rules for different windows?
Rules vary by state across the country for many reasons, even when it comes to the type of window. It’s common to ask, “Will auto insurance cover a cracked windshield?” Some companies treat this separately, as different states have requirements that dictate if you must replace a windshield due to cracks or chips. In addition, some states insist that insurance companies extend zero-deductible coverage, while others make this optional.
How do you file a broken window insurance claim?
Much will depend on the circumstances of the incident and the type of coverage you have in place. You’ll also need to consider your auto insurance deductible and whether you will need to pay that before insurance kicks in.
While you will typically need comprehensive or collision coverage, some companies have a specific offering known as “glass coverage.” Look at the small print on your policy or discuss these options with different companies if you’re looking for a new provider.
Does insurance cover broken windows due to theft?
If a thief caused side window damage when they broke in to try and steal some of your belongings, insurers would cover this under your comprehensive policy.
If you caused a car crash and your side window broke, your collision coverage will typically pay the bill. If an incident were the other driver’s fault, their insurance would settle and cover you under the other’s driver’s liability policy. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you’ll need to look into settling a car accident without insurance.
Collision coverage overall is pretty cheap to add to your auto insurance. Let’s look at the average annual rates of adding collision to your policy.
Collision Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State
| State | Rates |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $25 |
| Alaska | $30 |
| Arizona | $22 |
| Arkansas | $25 |
| California | $30 |
| Colorado | $22 |
| Connecticut | $29 |
| Delaware | $25 |
| District of Columbia | $37 |
| Florida | $21 |
| Georgia | $27 |
| Hawaii | $25 |
| Idaho | $17 |
| Illinois | $24 |
| Indiana | $20 |
| Iowa | $17 |
| Kansas | $21 |
| Kentucky | $21 |
| Louisiana | $33 |
| Maine | $21 |
| Maryland | $28 |
| Massachusetts | $30 |
| Michigan | $32 |
| Minnesota | $18 |
| Mississippi | $25 |
| Missouri | $22 |
| Montana | $21 |
| Nebraska | $19 |
| Nevada | $24 |
| New Hampshire | $23 |
| New Jersey | $30 |
| New Mexico | $22 |
| New York | $30 |
| North Carolina | $22 |
| North Dakota | $19 |
| Ohio | $21 |
| Oklahoma | $25 |
| Oregon | $18 |
| Pennsylvania | $26 |
| Rhode Island | $31 |
| South Carolina | $21 |
| South Dakota | $17 |
| Tennessee | $24 |
| Texas | $28 |
| Utah | $21 |
| Vermont | $23 |
| Virginia | $22 |
| Washington | $21 |
| West Virginia | $27 |
| Wisconsin | $17 |
| Wyoming | $23 |
| U.S. Average | $25 |
Should you always file a claim?
In many cases, insurance companies will insist that you pay a deductible when you file a claim for damage to broken windows. In that case, you will need to look at the repair quote to see if it’s worth filing a claim.
Glass repairs often don’t exceed the cost of a deductible (at least not by much), so it may not be worth making a claim. Otherwise, an insurance company may raise your future premiums to compensate for your claims history. You can check your claims history to help you decide if you should file a claim again.
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Are broken car windows covered by my auto insurance?: The Bottom Line
If you want to file a claim against your car insurance for a broken window, you will need comprehensive or collision coverage on your policy, depending on the cause of damage. Make sure you understand how to file an auto insurance claim.
Sometimes, glass-specific coverage is also available. Bear in mind that your policy may have a deductible in place, so you need to compare this to the cost of the repairs as you decide how to proceed.
See how much you could save by comparing auto insurance companies today. Enter your ZIP to get quotes that include collision and comprehensive coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does liability auto insurance cover broken windows?
No, liability auto insurance does not cover broken windows. To file a claim for damage to your car windows, you will need collision or comprehensive coverage.
Do insurance companies treat windshields and other windows differently?
Yes, there may be separate coverage rules for different windows. Some states require specific coverage for cracked windshields, and the extent of coverage can vary.
Does insurance cover broken windows due to theft?
Yes, if a thief caused damage to your car windows during a break-in, it is typically covered under your comprehensive insurance policy.
Does comprehensive coverage include broken car windows?
Yes, comprehensive coverage typically covers damage to broken car windows caused by theft, vandalism, weather events, or impact with a wild animal. However, you may need to pay a deductible before insurance covers the rest.
What are important things to remember about filing a claim for broken windows?
To file a claim, you need comprehensive or collision coverage, and you may have to pay a deductible. Insurance companies specify the amount they are willing to pay for repairs. Consider the cost of repairs compared to your deductible before deciding to file a claim.
How can I save on auto insurance rates for coverage that includes broken windows?
You can compare quotes from different insurance companies to find affordable rates for collision or comprehensive coverage that includes protection for broken car windows. Use our rate-quote tool by entering your ZIP code to get started.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Daniel Walker
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Auto Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.