Oregon Windshield Replacement Auto Insurance (2024)

A crack or chip on your windshield is one of those everyday annoyances all drivers face. Many things can damage your windshield, but it usually comes from small rocks and other road debris.

Small bits don’t usually damage windshields significantly, but any impact could chip or crack your windshield. Oregon windshield laws say your view must be unobstructed, so any damage on the driver’s side could be enough for a ticket.

On top of that, a cracked windshield weakens its overall integrity, lowering your safety. Decreased visibility and weakened glass are significant risks while driving. Therefore, all drivers need to keep their windshields in good shape.

Your car insurance will probably repair or replace your windshield free of charge if you have the right policy. However, there are situations when insurance won’t help with a windshield, and you’ll need to replace it yourself.

Read more about Oregon’s windshield laws below, then learn what insurance you need to cover your windshield.

What are the Oregon full glass coverage laws for damage?

The road can be a hazardous place for your windshield. Anything from airborne pebbles to material falling off the back of a work truck can damage your windshield.

The term “windshield damage” covers cracks, chips, and other fractures in your glass. Windshield damage includes:

• Edge cracks. Edge cracks happen within the two-inch border of your windshield and are particularly dangerous. It’s time to replace your windshield when you have edge cracks.
• Stress cracks. Temperature changes make things expand and contract, and that includes your windshield. A small crack can quickly splinter when the air gets cold.
• Float cracks. Float cracks start in the middle of your windshield. Small float cracks are usually repairable, while larger ones could mean the glass requires replacement.
• Crack chips. Chips are tiny marks left on your glass after small items hit your windshield without much force.
• Shatter. Severe damage to your windshield happens when something big hits it with a lot of force. You should replace your windshield immediately if it’s shattered.

Whether your windshield can be repaired or replaced depends on the location and damage severity. However, a general rule is that any crack over six inches long calls for a windshield replacement.

Replacing your windshield is a relatively straightforward process that usually occurs at your home or workplace. A glass technician will remove your damaged windshield and replace it with a similar piece of glass.

If your windshield is repairable, the technician will clean the glass to ensure there’s no debris, then inject clear resin into the damaged space. After the resin cures, it will look like the glass was never damaged.

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Can you drive with a cracked windshield in Oregon?

It’s usually acceptable to drive with minor windshield damage, but you can’t operate a car with damage impairing your vision or threatening your safety.

Oregon laws don’t explicitly state the size and amount of chips or cracks you can have on your windshield legally while driving. Instead, police officers use their discretion to determine if a car is unsafe to drive. You might get a ticket for a large crack, especially if it’s on the driver’s side.

While Oregon doesn’t specify how big a crack can be, there are other windshield laws drivers should be aware of, including:

• No stickers, posters, signs, or other materials can impair the driver’s vision.
• Vehicles with a windshield must have functional windshield wipers, and the wipers should be able to clear rain, snow, and other moisture.
• All windshields must consist of safety glass or a safety glazing material. One-way glass is never permitted.
• A non-reflective tint is acceptable on the top six inches of your windshield, but you can’t choose a green, red, or amber hue.

While Oregon law doesn’t name specific sizes and locations for cracks, the federal government does. Federal regulations say that cracks cannot touch and cannot be within two inches of the edge. Additionally, there can’t be any damage or discoloration directly in front of the driver.

What happens if you drive with a cracked windshield in Oregon?

Oregon police have a lot of leeway for writing tickets for cracked windshields. Generally speaking, a crack or chip will get you a warning and a directive to get it fixed. However, severe cracks or damage can earn you a citation.

Of course, most officers will let you off the hook if the damage just happened. If you get pulled over for windshield damage, get the damage repaired as soon as possible. Driving with a crack in your line of sight is dangerous, and officers might not be so accommodating next time they pull you over.

Citations for a damaged windshield can get expensive quickly. Fees start at $110 per violation, so if you have a cracked windshield, wipers that don’t work, and the wrong color tint, your fine will start at $330.

It usually costs between $170 and $1,110 to replace your windshield in Oregon, meaning it only takes a few infractions for your fees to outweigh repairs. However, you might not have to pay anything for a windshield replacement if you have the right insurance.

Does insurance cover Oregan windshields replacement?

Your windshield is probably eligible for replacement or repairs through your insurance if you have the right policy.

It’s in the insurance company’s best interest to keep customers as safe as possible. Damaged windshields are driving hazards because they limit visibility, so most insurance companies help repair the problem.

Minimum insurance doesn’t cover windshields. Oregon only requires liability coverage to drive, which helps repair the damage you cause to other drivers and property. However, your windshield is not eligible under a liability policy.

Comprehensive coverage is the most commonly used insurance type for windshield repairs or replacement. Comprehensive insurance helps repair your car after sustaining damage outside of an accident. Comprehensive insurance covers damage from fire, theft, vandalism, weather, and falling objects.

Comprehensive usually covers damage from road debris, a falling branch, or collision with an animal. However, all companies are different, so check with a representative before filing a claim.

If an accident causes windshield damage, a collision policy will cover it no matter who was at fault.

Full glass coverage is a popular add-on choice for insurance. It lets you replace your windshield whenever it’s damaged, no matter what caused it. You’ll probably only get to replace your windshield once a year, though some companies offer more frequent repairs.

How do you file a claim for a windshield?

Like all things related to your insurance, you should ensure the windshield damage warrants a claim since your rates will likely increase after filing a claim.

The most obvious time to file a claim is after receiving a citation. If the state of Oregon requires you to fix your windshield, you should do so immediately.

If you have a small crack or chip, it’s probably not worth the claim, especially if your deductible exceeds the repair cost. Repair the damage as soon as possible since small cracks can snowball into larger cracks or more significant damage while driving.

Once you’ve decided to file a claim, the process — listed below — is simple:

• Measure the damage, note locations for cracks, and take pictures to give to your insurance representative.
• Use your preferred method — online, mobile app, or phone — to file your claim.
• Give the claims adjuster all relevant information about your windshield damage.
• Many insurance companies have a list of preferred technicians available to you. Usually, the technician will meet you at your home or work, though you might have to bring your car to them.

The claims process is over once your windshield gets repaired or replaced. Follow the technician’s instructions to ensure you don’t accidentally damage your windshield, and you’ll be ready to hit the road.

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Find the Best Oregon Full Glass Coverage

Although windshield damage happens to everyone, it can be a major nuisance when it happens to you. The good news is that you don’t need to pay for repairs or replacements if you have the right insurance.

It’s generally affordable to add windshield coverage to your policy. If you’re interested in adding collision, comprehensive, or full glass coverage to your insurance policy so you never have to worry about Oregon windshield laws, comparing quotes can save you money.

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