Coverage

• Before you report your windshield claim to your insurer, verify you have coverage. Most windshield damage is paid for under your comprehensive coverage, unless it was damaged in a collision. Some insurers may choose to write glass coverage separately from comprehensive, so read your policy to determine where glass damage is covered, and if you carry that protection. A ding on the glass caused by a flying rock or other road debris is considered a comprehensive claim.
  
  

Repair Vs. Replacement

• Most windshield dings can be repaired, though in some cases the glass company may choose to replace your windshield, either because the damage is too severe or it obstructs your line of sight while driving. The repair process is simple and effective. The company injects a clear resin compound into the damaged area. When it cures, usually within minutes, it bonds stronger than the glass itself, preventing the damage from spreading any further. It may not entirely remove the visible damage, but it often minimizes it. Repairing your windshield instead of replacing it also maintains the original factory seal around the glass.
  
  

Cost

• Every insurer writes its own policy and sets its own pricing for glass repair, but many insurers will cover the entire cost of a glass repair without a deductible. This is a less expensive option than glass replacement, and many insurers are willing to cover the smaller cost to prevent further damage that would result in a larger cost. If your windshield ding is deep enough to require replacement, you must pay your comprehensive deductible, unless you live in a state that requires insurers to waive it, like Florida.
  
  

Premium Rates

• Comprehensive claims are generally considered no-fault claims, and therefore do not cause your premiums to increase as a result. Many insurers won't even list a windshield claim on your claims record. Check with your agent to confirm that your insurer won't adversely raise your rates for a windshield claim, since each company is generally allowed to set its own premium rules, as long as the state approves them. For many insurance customers, windshield repair claims have little or no financial consequence, in the immediate or long term.