Safelite is one of the biggest and best-known auto glass repair and replacement services in the United States.
Depending on your insurance coverage and how the damage occurred to your glass, your insurance may cover the cost of Safelite repair or replacement services.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about Safelite and insurance, including whether or not Safelite is covered by insurance.
How Insurance Covers Broken Auto Glass
If you have car insurance, then you may or may not have coverage for broken auto glass. Here’s how it works:
If you have comprehensive coverage (which is optional in all states), then you should be able to make a claim for any Safelite glass repair or replacement services. You pay your comprehensive coverage deductible (typically around $250 per claim), and your insurance covers all remaining costs of repairing or replacing your glass.
If you have minimum liability insurance, then your insurance will not cover the cost of repairing glass or windshield damage to your own vehicle unless the damaged occurred in an accident where the other driver was at-fault.
If another driver damaged your windshield or glass in an at-fault accident, then you may be able to make a Safelite claim through the other driver’s insurance company. The other driver has an obligation to repair your car to pre-loss condition, which includes repairing or replacing any glass.
Depending on the cost of the deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim for Safelite glass repair and replacement. If it costs $200 to repair a windshield crack, for example, and your comprehensive coverage deductible is $250, then it’s better to pay out of pocket.
Some insurers waive deductibles for auto glass claims. If you paid extra for full glass coverage, for example, or if your insurer has special perks, then you may avoid paying a deductible for your Safelite glass repair or replacement.
Most insurers cover Safelite glass repairs (not glass replacements) at no cost to you. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, and as long as your glass can be repaired, you may be able to request glass repair at no cost and with no deductible.
Three states, including Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida, require insurers to repair and replace windshield glass without charging a deductible. If you live in Kentucky, South Carolina, or Florida and have comprehensive coverage, then you should pay nothing to get your windshield repaired or replaced with Safelite.
How Safelite Works with Insurance
Safelite administers auto glass programs for more than 150 insurance companies, including GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, and Liberty Mutual. They’re familiar with the insurance process and how it works and can easily handle your auto glass repair and replacement claims.
In fact, Safelite recommends you contact them instead of your insurer when dealing with glass repair and replacement claims. Before getting glass service at Safelite, you don’t need to contact your insurer or agent.
Instead, Safelite can verify your coverage, file the claim, and handle all paperwork on their end.
Just visit a Safelite location near you, and Safelite can help you understand your coverage. Safelite can determine if you have full glass coverage, whether or not it’s worth making a claim, and verify all of the other information you need to ensure the claim goes smoothly.
Safelite Repairs Windshield Chips & Cracks At No Cost to You
If your windshield can be repaired, then Safelite may be able to repair your windshield at no cost to you. As long as you have comprehensive insurance coverage, you can get windshield repairs without paying a deductible.
Safelite’s windshield repair services are ideal for small cracks or chips. Safelite repairs the damage, files the claim to your insurer on your behalf, and you pay no deductible or anything else out-of-pocket.
Visit a Safelite location near you to determine if you can repair windshield cracks or if you need full windshield replacement.
Paying with Insurance Versus Paying On Your Own
Who pays for Safelite glass repair and replacement? Should you pay on your own or file an insurance claim?
Safelite accepts direct payments from drivers. Alternatively, you can pay with insurance, and Safelite will file the claim and all related paperwork on your behalf.
Here’s how it works:
Pay With Insurance: Safelite’s windshield repair and replacement services may be fully covered by insurance. Safelite can check your coverage, verify the total out-of-pocket cost of your claim with insurance, and ensure you pay the lowest possible amount for windshield repair and replacement. You may need to pay a deductible (typically around $250) if you have comprehensive coverage. If you have full glass coverage, you may pay zero deductible.
Pay On Your Own: If you choose not to file an insurance claim for Safelite repairs or replacements, then you can pay on your own. Safelite charges different prices based on the size of the damage and the extent of repairs or replacements. You can get a free quote online through Safelite.com. You might choose to pay on your own if you don’t have comprehensive coverage or if your deductible costs more than the repairs themselves.
Should I Repair or Replace My Windshield?
Safelite offers windshield repair and replacement services. Some drivers repair minor damage to their windshield at a cheap price, while others need full windshield replacement.
Safelite can analyze your damage and provide a free estimate on repair or replacement costs. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your windshield:
Safelite can typically repair a windshield at no cost to you. In most cases, Safelite’s windshield repairs are covered by insurance and will not impact your insurance rates.
Safelite offers a mobile service and can arrive at your location – at work or home – to repair chips with no out-of-pocket costs.
You may need full windshield replacement if you have extensive windshield damage, large cracks or chips, or other damages. Your insurance should cover full windshield replacement, assuming you have comprehensive coverage. Most drivers pay a deductible, and your deductible will be your total out-of-pocket cost.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About Safelite and Auto Insurance
Auto insurance claims can be confusing. Here are other questions our insurance experts frequently get about Safelite and auto insurance:
Will auto insurance cover broken glass?
If you have comprehensive coverage, then your insurance will cover broken glass repair and replacement. You just pay your deductible.
Will filing a Safelite claim count towards my insurance policy or raise rates?
Most insurers do not raise rates after a glass repair or replacement claim. In fact, some states forbid insurers from raising rates after any comprehensive claim. You should not pay higher premiums after insurance covers Safelite glass repair or replacement.
Will insurance cover Safelite if I only have liability coverage?
Liability coverage only covers your liability for damage you cause to other people and property, and it does not cover damage to your own vehicle. Unless the other driver was at-fault in an accident that damaged your glass, you will not be able to make a claim for Safelite repairs or replacements if you only have liability coverage.
Will insurance companies waive my deductible for windshield repairs and replacements with Safelite?
Insurers may waive your deductible for Safelite windshield repairs and replacements if you paid extra for full glass coverage, which lets you get windshield repairs and replacements with no deductible. Similarly, three states require insurers to offer zero-deductible glass coverage, including Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
Do I need to contact my insurer before visiting Safelite?
No, you do not need to contact your insurer before getting glass repairs or replacements at Safelite. Safelite is familiar with insurance coverage across the United States. In fact, Safelite’s affiliate, Safelite Solutions, administers auto glass programs for more than 150 insurance companies.
What happens if my deductible is more than the cost of glass repair?
If your deductible is higher than the cost of glass repair, then you’re better to pay out of pocket. Even if you have full coverage car insurance, it may be smarter to pay out of pocket for glass repair and replacement.
Final Word on Safelite and Insurance
Safelite repairs and replaces glass across the United States. The company is familiar with virtually all insurance providers in the country, and Safelite even administers glass coverage programs for some of the country’s largest insurers.
You can get a free estimate on windshield repairs or replacements by contacting Safelite today. Safelite can also review your coverage to determine if insurance covers your damage or if you need to pay out of pocket.
Contact Safelite or your insurer today to learn more about Safelite’s glass repair and replacement coverage and how insurance covers Safelite.