Does Car Insurance Cover Vandalism?

What is Comprehensive Coverage?

Comprehensive auto insurance is a type of physical damage coverage that protects against non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, falling objects, civil disturbances, and encounters with animals. It complements collision coverage, which specifically covers repair costs after a car accident.

When your windshield is cracked, chipped, or shattered due to a rock or other piece of debris striking it while driving, that qualifies as a type of comprehensive claim. The same applies if a windshield is damaged from hail, vandalism, or a tree branch falling on it.

However, it's crucial to have comprehensive coverage on your policy for such incidents to be covered. If you only carry basic liability insurance with no comprehensive protection, windshield repairs will have to be paid out-of-pocket.

Special Glass Coverage Provisions

Many insurers offer supplemental glass coverage or glass deductible waivers as add-ons to comprehensive policies. With these provisions, you pay $0 out-of-pocket for any repair or replacement of your windshield, windows, sunroof, etc.

These zero-deductible glass coverage endorsements frequently cost less than $100 per year to add, yet can pay off significantly versus having to meet a $500 or $1,000 deductible first. The catch is that some insurers stipulate you must use an approved auto glass repair vendor to qualify for no out-of-pocket costs.

For those without such provisions, your standard comprehensive deductible would apply toward any windshield work. So if you have a $500 deductible and need an $800 windshield replacement, you'd pay the first $500 while insurance covers the remaining $300.

Other Factors Impacting Claims

Several additional factors can impact whether an insurer approves a windshield claim, and how much they're willing to pay:

Repair vs. Replacement - Most auto policies have guidelines on when they'll pay for full windshield replacement versus more economical repair. Small chips and cracks under 6-12 inches may only qualify for repair through resin injection, not outright replacement.

Vehicle Age/Mileage - Insurers may restrict newer OEM windshields on older, high-mileage vehicles and instead only authorize aftermarket glass that meets safety standards but costs less.

Prior Wear and Tear - If the windshield already has existing cracks or damage from wear over time, the insurer may prorate the new claim accordingly or deny it outright.

State Regulations - Some states like Florida and Massachusetts have laws requiring insurers to offer full windshield coverage with $0 deductible under comprehensive policies. These override standard policy terms.