Should I file a claim to replace my cracked windshield? I’ve heard that filing a windshield claim can raise my car insurance rates higher than what the claim amount would be.
Whether or not you file a car insurance claim to repair a cracked or broken windshield depends on a couple of factors. First, how high is your comprehensive coverage deductible? If you have a $500 deductible or higher, the cost of your windshield will not meet your deductible and you will not receive a payment from your car insurance company. But filing a claim, even though no amount is paid, will show up on your claims history.
Second, if you have a $200 or $250 deductible, you might call a glass company to see how much it actually costs to repair your windshield before filing a claim. For example, I had a windshield claim on my 2006 Honda Odyssey minivan. I filed a claim thinking the windshield would cost $400-$500 to replace. After my $250 deductible was paid, my car insurance company only paid $19! Had I known prior to filing the claim that I would only be receiving a $19 benefit, I would not have filed the windshield claim.
Third, many car insurance companies do not surcharge for glass claims. So even though my own glass claim was only $19, it will not impact my renewal rates. Both glass chip repair and replacement windshields are considered unavoidable comprehensive claims, so most insurers won’t raise your rates for having those repairs made.
