In Florida, car insurance covers windshield replacement with no deductible as long as your policy includes comprehensive coverage. Florida Statute 627.7288 bars insurers from applying a deductible to windshield repair or replacement claims made under a comprehensive auto policy.1Justia Law. Florida Code 627 – Comprehensive Coverage; Deductible Not to Apply to Motor Vehicle Glass Both chip repairs and full replacements are included, and the rule remains in effect in 2025.
You Need Comprehensive Coverage to Qualify
Florida only requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection and property damage liability. Comprehensive coverage, which pays for damage from storms, road debris, theft, vandalism, fire, and animal strikes, is optional. The zero-deductible windshield benefit only exists inside a comprehensive policy. Drivers who carry only liability, or liability plus collision, pay for windshield work themselves.
Before assuming a claim will be free, check your declarations page and confirm comprehensive coverage is listed. Your comprehensive policy still has a deductible for everything else it covers, such as hail damage to the body of the car or a stolen stereo. The waiver applies specifically to motor vehicle glass, and specifically to the windshield.
What the Waiver Does Not Cover
The statute reaches windshield damage only. Side windows, rear glass, and sunroofs are not included in the deductible waiver unless your particular policy adds that coverage separately. A shattered rear window from a break-in, for example, would go through your regular comprehensive deductible.
How to File a Windshield Claim in Florida
The process is short. Most insurers accept windshield claims online, by app, or by phone. You describe when and how the damage happened, where the crack or chip sits on the glass, and whether it affects your view of the road.
Small chips and cracks under about six inches can usually be repaired with resin. Longer cracks, damage that reaches the edge of the glass, or damage in the driver’s direct line of sight generally means a full replacement. Your insurer or the glass shop makes the final call on repair versus replacement.
Have this ready:
- Photos of the damage from multiple angles, including one wide shot showing its location on the windshield.
- Your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
- A short description of how the damage happened. A police report isn’t required for a windshield claim under Florida law, but it helps if the cause was an accident or vandalism.
Approval is usually quick. Many claims are processed within 24 to 48 hours, and some preferred shops offer same-day service. Because the deductible cannot be applied, you should owe nothing when the work is finished.1Justia Law. Florida Code 627 – Comprehensive Coverage; Deductible Not to Apply to Motor Vehicle Glass If an insurer tries to charge one, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Financial Services.2Florida Department of Financial Services. Get Insurance Help
Choosing a Glass Shop After the 2023 Reform
Insurers have preferred glass vendors, and using one keeps the paperwork simple because the shop bills the insurer directly. Florida law prohibits insurers, their agents, and their adjusters from steering you to a specific provider. You have the right to pick any licensed shop.3Florida Senate. CS/CS/HB 541 Motor Vehicle Glass – Staff Final Bill Analysis
What changed in 2023 is how the billing works behind the scenes. Under Florida Statute 627.7289, drivers can no longer sign an Assignment of Benefits form giving a glass shop the right to collect insurance payments (and sue the insurer) on their behalf. Any AOB signed on a policy issued or renewed after July 1, 2023, is void.4The Florida Legislature. Florida Code 627 – Assignment of Post-loss Motor Vehicle Glass Benefits Prohibited The same law bars shops from offering gift cards, cash, or other incentives to get you to file a claim.3Florida Senate. CS/CS/HB 541 Motor Vehicle Glass – Staff Final Bill Analysis
For you, the practical effect is small. If your insurer has a direct billing arrangement with the shop, you still pay nothing upfront. If you use an independent shop without such an arrangement, you may need to pay and then submit for reimbursement. Get an itemized invoice separating labor, materials, and any additional charges to make reimbursement easier.
The zero-deductible rule doesn’t force insurers to pay for Original Equipment Manufacturer glass over aftermarket glass. That question is governed by your policy terms, so ask before the work starts whether OEM is covered or whether you would owe the price difference.
ADAS Recalibration Is Included
Newer vehicles have cameras and sensors mounted behind the windshield that run features like lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These Advanced Driver Assistance Systems need to be recalibrated whenever the windshield is replaced, because even a small shift in camera position throws off the readings.
The 2023 reform expanded the legal definition of motor vehicle repair to cover ADAS calibration and recalibration, and it requires glass shops to tell you in writing whether recalibration is needed for your vehicle.3Florida Senate. CS/CS/HB 541 Motor Vehicle Glass – Staff Final Bill Analysis Because recalibration is now part of the covered repair, it falls under the same no-deductible protection as the glass. Recalibration on its own typically runs between $250 and $700, so this is a real dollar benefit for drivers of newer cars. Confirm your shop can handle the recalibration in-house or has a dealer or specialist lined up.
Will Filing a Windshield Claim Raise Your Rates?
Comprehensive claims are treated differently from at-fault collision claims because the damage wasn’t caused by your driving. Insurers generally don’t apply a surcharge for a single windshield claim, and the no-deductible benefit exists so drivers will use it rather than drive with cracked glass.
A long pattern of claims of any type can still flag a policy at renewal. If you’ve already filed several comprehensive claims recently for hail, theft, or animal strikes, adding a windshield claim could contribute to a rate change. For a one-off crack, filing is almost always the right call.
What Windshield Replacement Costs Without Comprehensive Coverage
If you don’t carry comprehensive coverage, you pay the full cost. A basic replacement on an older vehicle generally runs $300 to $600. Newer vehicles with rain sensors, heads-up displays, or ADAS cameras can exceed $1,000, especially once recalibration is added. Given how common road debris and severe weather are in Florida, that price gap is one of the stronger arguments for adding comprehensive coverage to a policy before the next crack shows up.