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In Florida, windshield damage and replacement can be a costly affair, but fortunately, your insurance may cover it. Florida law requires drivers to have a minimum level of personal injury protection, which also covers windshield damage.
If you're involved in a collision, your comprehensive insurance will likely cover windshield damage. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle that isn't related to a collision, such as vandalism, theft, or natural disasters.
However, if you're at fault for the damage, your insurance may not cover the full cost. In Florida, drivers are only required to have a minimum of $10,000 in property damage liability insurance, which may not be enough to cover the cost of a new windshield.
In some cases, your insurance may also cover windshield damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes or hail storms.
Florida Insurance Coverage
Florida has a unique law called full glass insurance that makes windshield replacement a breeze. Under this law, drivers with comprehensive coverage can get their windshield replaced for free, with no out-of-pocket costs.
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To benefit from this law, you'll need to have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy. This type of coverage usually goes hand in hand with collision insurance, and you'll need to go beyond the state's minimum limits to get them.
Comprehensive insurance covers your car from many different kinds of problems, including environmental damages, vandalism, and of course, windshield repairs. It's a smart extra that can give you peace of mind, especially during Florida's hurricane season.
If you don't have comprehensive insurance, you won't be covered for full glass repair, and you'll have to pay out-of-pocket for any repairs or replacements.
Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know:
- Comprehensive coverage is required for full glass insurance laws in Florida.
- Comprehensive insurance covers windshield repairs, environmental damages, and vandalism.
- Drivers with comprehensive coverage can get their windshield replaced for free.
- No-fault claims, like windshield repairs, won't affect your car insurance rate.
How to File a Claim
Filing a claim for windshield damage is similar to filing a car accident claim. You'll need to gather some information to get started.
You'll need to provide your insurance company with the date, time, and location of where and how the glass damage occurred, as well as the make, model, and VIN of the involved vehicles. You'll also need to provide your policy number and your contact details.
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Most insurers will allow you to file a claim online, through their mobile app, or in person at your agent's office. To file a claim, follow these steps:
- Gather all the necessary information.
- Log in to the insurer's website or contact the company to start the claim.
- Provide the agent with all the necessary information.
- Wait to hear back from the assigned claims adjuster.
- Pick a glass repair shop to fix your car.
- Take your vehicle to the shop for a new windshield or glass repair.
- Pay the repair shop your deductible, if applicable.
Some states, like Kentucky and South Carolina, have laws that require insurers to waive the deductible for windshield claims. In Florida, recent legislation changed the zero-deductible rule, now allowing insurers to offer windshield glass repair, replacement, or recalibration, but only if they discount your policy for standard comprehensive coverage.
Windshield Repair and Replacement
In Florida, windshield repairs and replacements are covered under comprehensive insurance, which means drivers with this coverage can get their windshield replaced for free.
If you have a liability-only policy that doesn't cover glass damage, you may have to cover repair costs out of pocket. The average cost to repair or replace your windshield varies based on factors like the extent of the damage, the make and model of your vehicle, your location, and other details.
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If the chip or crack in your windshield obscures your vision while driving, or if it's bigger than three-eights inch, you'll need a windshield replacement. Cracks longer than three inches or multiple imperfections also require a replacement.
In Florida, insurance companies can't charge deductibles for windshield repairs if you have comprehensive coverage. This means drivers with comprehensive insurance can get their windshield replaced for free in the Sunshine State.
Here are some key things to keep in mind when it comes to windshield repairs and replacements:
- Edge cracks or chips can make your windshield unstable, so it's best to get them fixed as soon as possible.
- Comprehensive insurance covers damages to your vehicle from non-collision events, like rock damage or vandalism.
- Collision insurance provides coverage for vehicle damage up to your policy limits that results from a collision, like glass damage from a car accident.
- Full-coverage insurance is a combination of comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage, providing the most robust protection for windshield damage.
The cost of repairing a windshield with insurance is the cost of a policy plus the deductible, typically $500 or $1,000. In Florida, comprehensive coverage ensures no out-of-pocket costs for windshield repairs or replacements.
Florida Laws and Requirements
In Florida, you can drive without worrying about paying out-of-pocket for windshield repairs or replacements if you have comprehensive coverage. This is thanks to the state's full glass insurance laws.
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Comprehensive coverage ensures that you won't be charged a deductible for windshield repairs, so you can get your windshield replaced for free. This is a big perk for drivers in the Sunshine State.
If you have comprehensive insurance, you'll need to go beyond the state's minimum limits to get it, as it usually comes with collision insurance.
Florida Auto Requirements
In Florida, you can't drive if you can't see clearly through the front or side windows of your car.
Every car in Florida must have windshield wipers that work well.
You'll still need to follow federal requirements for replacing windshields, even if Florida doesn't have many extra rules of its own.
Florida Laws
Florida has full glass insurance laws that ensure no out-of-pocket costs for windshield repairs or replacements if you have comprehensive coverage.
In Florida, insurance companies can't charge deductibles for windshield repairs, which means drivers with comprehensive insurance can get their windshield replaced for free.
You'll need full coverage auto insurance to benefit from Florida's full glass insurance laws, and comprehensive and collision insurance usually go hand in hand.
Florida requires that windshield wipers work well, and you can't drive there if you can't see clearly through the front or side windows of your car.
The federal government's rules for replacing windshields also apply in Florida, even though the state doesn't have many extra rules of its own.
Claiming windshield repairs is considered a no-fault claim, which is covered by comprehensive insurance, and it won't typically affect your car insurance rate.
Insurance Policy and Deductibles
In Florida, drivers with comprehensive coverage can't be charged a deductible to repair or replace a broken windshield. This is a unique benefit for residents of the state.
Your insurance policy may cover windshield damage if you have a full-coverage policy. This means your insurance will pay for the repairs without you having to pay a deductible first.
Some insurers may waive your deductible if you have an insurance policy with a lower deductible or no deductible on glass claims. This can save you money in the long run, especially if you live in an area prone to windshield damage.
Auto Policy May Be Damaged
If you have a full-coverage auto insurance policy, your policy may cover windshield damage.
Sarah, who helps people find smarter ways to spend their money, knows that insurance policies can be complex, but she's here to break it down for you.
Your auto insurance policy may cover windshield damage if you have a full-coverage policy. This is good news, as windshield repairs can be costly.
At Insurify, the team of experts has done extensive research to provide accurate information about insurance policies, including full-coverage policies that may cover windshield damage.
We receive compensation from insurance providers, but this doesn't influence our editorial content or reviews.
Auto Deductibles
Auto deductibles can be a significant out-of-pocket expense when filing a claim. In some cases, your auto insurance policy may cover windshield damage if you have a full-coverage policy.
Your deductible may apply to windshield insurance claims, but it depends on your type of coverage, the type of damage, and your location. In Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, drivers with comprehensive coverage can't be charged a deductible to repair or replace a broken windshield.
You might have to pay a deductible for bigger claims, like a full windshield replacement, but some insurers may waive your deductible if you have an insurance policy with a lower deductible or no deductible on glass claims. Your deductible might kick in for bigger claims, like a full windshield replacement.
Full glass coverage is when your insurance pays for windshield repair without you having to pay a deductible first. This means you won't have any out-of-pocket costs before your comprehensive insurance starts paying for the glass replacement.
In Florida, drivers need to have comprehensive insurance to be eligible for full glass coverage, and this requirement is also common in other states. Full glass insurance offers drivers zero-deductible windshield replacement.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive coverage is a smart extra that doesn't mean you can't find affordable car insurance in Florida. It's especially important during Florida's hurricane season.
Comprehensive insurance covers your car from many different kinds of problems, including environmental damages and vandalism. It also covers windshield repairs, providing peace of mind.
You can get comprehensive coverage as part of a full-coverage policy, which is a combination of comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage. This provides the most robust protection for windshield damage.
Here are some options that cover windshield repair and replacement:
- Comprehensive insurance covers damages to your vehicle from non-collision events, like rock damage or vandalism.
- Collision insurance provides coverage for vehicle damage up to your policy limits that results from a collision, like glass damage from a car accident.
- Full-coverage insurance is a combination of comprehensive, collision, and liability coverage.
- This add-on coverage pays for windshield damage, often without a deductible.
If you only have liability car insurance, it won't pay to repair or replace your windshield. Liability coverage pays for property damages and injuries to other parties in an accident you cause.
Sources
- https://www.compare.com/auto-insurance/resources/coverage/windshield-repair
- https://www.policygenius.com/auto-insurance/does-car-insurance-cover-cracked-windshields/
- https://www.motor1.com/features/499332/windshield-repair-replacement-insurance-coverage/
- https://insurify.com/car-insurance/coverage/windshield-replacement/
- https://athomeautoglass.com/does-florida-car-insurance-cover-windshield-replacement/
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