How to Get the Insurance Deductible for Windshield Replacement Waived
There are three more common situations which would make it possible for a car glass repair shop to waive your deductible for a windshield replacement:
- Windshield replacement will be covered by your collision insurance.
- The new windshield will be covered by your comprehensive car insurance.
- The windshield will be replaced in a ‘zero-deductible’ state.
Have you seen ads for car glass replacement which say that your deductible will be waived? You might have wondered, ‘what does this mean?’ Or, ‘how can they do that?’ A lot of people assume that these offers are a sign of bad business, but that’s not necessarily the case. This post is meant to help answer these questions.
What is a Deductible?
Car insurance costs include what is known as the deductible. If you are involved in an accident, your car insurance should cover the bulk of the expenses to fix the damage. But the deductible is the amount that a car owner is required to pay out of pocket for repairs. For example, if you have a total of $5,000 in repairs and your deductible is $500, you pay the $500 and your insurance policy will cover the remaining $4,500.
Car insurance deductibles generally range between $100 and $2,000. That’s why an offer promising to waive the insurance deductible could be attractive.
Let’s take a closer look at the three situations in which your insurance deductible for a windshield replacement could be waived.
Collision Insurance Coverage
If your vehicle was in an accident which was caused by another car, any damage to the windshield should be covered by standard collision insurance. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault state, this means that drivers can carry either no-fault or traditional insurance. Either way, if another driver is found to be at fault for damage to your car, the repairs should be fully covered by that driver’s insurance. This includes the deductible amount.
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage
Car owners with a comprehensive policy are more likely to have car glass repair or replacement coverage. Comprehensive insurance includes break-ins, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, hail damage and damage caused by animals. To repair cracks or chips, resulting from something other than an accident, comprehensive coverage may also waive the deductible altogether. Check with your policy to see if a deductible is charged for windshield repair or replacement in this case.
Find more information in “Will Your Insurance Cover Windshield Damage?”
Zero-Deductible States
There are three states which currently require car insurance companies to waive the deductible for windshield replacement. In order to support vehicle safety and discourage car owners from driving with damaged windshields, these states require comprehensive policies to cover the entire cost of glass replacement. Massachusetts, Florida and South Carolina are all considered ‘Zero-Deductible States.” In these states, under comprehensive policies, insurance deductibles for car glass replacement are waived automatically.
Learn more about Getting Your Windshield Repaired or Replaced Through Insurance.
Misconceptions About Waived Deductibles
Some people out there claim that this activity is illegal or unethical because it requires overinflating estimates for repairs or cutting into an insurance company’s earnings. The three situations described above are completely legitimate ways in which the deductible for windshield replacement can be waived.
Some customers worry that an offer to waive a deductible is a sign that the car glass service provider is engaging in some shady business. Perhaps the company is overcharging for windshield replacement in order to cover the deductible cost. Or maybe it means that the company installs low-quality glass. Others infer that auto glass repair companies which waive the deductible aren’t certified technicians and can’t guarantee their work. None of these are necessarily true.
That being said, you can take a few steps to protect yourself as a consumer. First, to be sure that the offer is valid, check the estimated price and compare it to a quote from another car glass replacement shop. This will give you a better idea about the fair market price for the new windshield and installation labor. Then, before accepting an offer, you should also check if there is a limit to the deductible amount that they are willing to waive. Next, check with the Better Business Bureau and online customer reviews for information about the company’s reputation. Finally, ask if the auto glass shop provides a warranty for its work.
Get more tips on How to Choose a Quality Auto Glass Repair Company.
No Gimmicks, Just Great Service
We don’t believe in using sales gimmicks or catchy deals to attract new customers. At Anthony Volk Glass, we let our reputation speak for itself. This has been the key to our success as a growing business here, in Pennsylvania, for more than 30 years.
If you have questions about insurance coverage as it relates to windshield replacement or repair, call Anthony Volk Glass at (610) 436-9727 or use our quote request form.
Tags: car insurance, insurance deductible, windshield replacement
