Windshield Insurance Coverage: A State-by-State Guide to Deductibles and ADAS Calibration

Windshield damage is one of the most common auto insurance claims, yet coverage varies dramatically depending on your state, policy type, and insurer. Understanding your coverage options is essential—especially for vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), where replacement costs can exceed $1,500 including mandatory calibration.

Understanding Comprehensive Coverage and Glass Claims

Windshield replacement is typically covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy, not collision coverage. Comprehensive covers damage from events other than collisions, including rock chips, hail, vandalism, and falling objects.

States with Mandatory Zero Deductible Laws

Three states have enacted legislation requiring insurers to waive the deductible for windshield replacement when the policyholder carries comprehensive coverage:

State-Specific Guides

California: See our comprehensive California Windshield Insurance Coverage Laws and Consumer Rights guide for detailed information about Insurance Code §758.5 anti-steering protections, parts disclosure requirements, and ADAS recalibration coverage.

Florida: See our comprehensive Florida Windshield Insurance Zero-Deductible Law Guide for details on §627.7288, which waives the comprehensive deductible for all windshield damage.

Texas: See our comprehensive Texas Windshield Insurance Guide to understand what the Lone Star State does and does not require. (Spoiler: No zero-deductible law, no explicit anti-steering statute.)

Arizona: See our Arizona Windshield Insurance Guide to understand how ARS 20-264 requires insurers to OFFER zero-deductible glass coverage—but you must elect it. This is often misunderstood as "free windshield replacement."

New Hampshire: The "Live Free or Die" state doesn't require auto insurance, yet cracked windshields are still illegal. See our New Hampshire Windshield Laws Guide for this unique situation—especially with mandatory inspections ending in 2026.

California has the strongest consumer choice protections in the nation, though it does not mandate zero-deductible windshield coverage like Florida, Kentucky, or South Carolina.

Florida: Insurers must waive the deductible for windshield replacement if comprehensive coverage is carried.

Kentucky: Insurers must waive the deductible for all auto glass replacement if comprehensive coverage is carried.

South Carolina: Insurers must waive the deductible for all safety glass replacement if comprehensive coverage is carried.

States Requiring Optional Full Glass Coverage

Massachusetts: Insurers must offer full glass coverage with $0 or $100 deductible. See our Massachusetts Windshield Laws Guide for details on coverage options and strict inspection requirements.

Several states require insurers to offer customers the option to purchase a "full glass coverage" rider for an additional premium. This rider typically lowers the glass deductible to $0: Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York.

Virginia: Insurance became mandatory in July 2024—no more Uninsured Motorist Fee option. See our Virginia Windshield Laws Guide for details on the new requirements and strict inspection standards.

Standard Deductible States

In all other states, standard comprehensive deductibles apply to windshield claims. Optional full glass coverage may be available from your insurer. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Repair vs. Replacement Deductibles

Many insurers voluntarily waive the deductible if a windshield can be repaired rather than replaced. They do this because a repair is significantly cheaper and prevents a small chip from spreading into a more expensive replacement claim later.

Insurance Coverage for ADAS Calibration

The mandatory nature of ADAS calibration has introduced a contentious element into the insurance claims process. If a windshield replacement is a covered claim, the necessary ADAS calibration should also be covered as an integral part of that repair.

However, auto glass shops frequently report significant pushback from insurance adjusters, who may deny or only partially approve payment for calibration services. This resistance often stems from lack of understanding of the technology's necessity or reliance on outdated pricing models.

To secure ADAS calibration payment, reputable shops now provide: pre-authorization with the insurer, copies of the vehicle manufacturer's official position statement, and detailed post-service reports with photographic evidence of pre-repair diagnostic scans, calibration target setup, and post-calibration confirmation.

Your Rights as a Consumer

While laws vary by state, consumers generally have these rights: Right to choose your repair facility (insurers cannot require a specific shop), right to insist on OEM parts (you may pay the difference), and right to a complete repair including all manufacturer-mandated procedures like ADAS calibration.

If your insurer denies coverage for ADAS calibration, request the denial in writing with specific policy language cited. ADAS calibration is rarely explicitly excluded and should be covered as part of a complete, safe repair.