Auto glass repair & windshield replacement in the Twin Cities

It typically costs $100 to $500 to replace a windshield without car insurance. The exact amount you will have to pay to replace your windshield will vary based on a number of factors including the year, make, model, and trim of your car.

Replacing the windshield of a new, luxury vehicle loaded with features could cost twice as much as replacing the glass of an older, economy car. The type of glass used is another factor that greatly influences your final price.

Aftermarket windshields cost around $100 less than OEM (original equipment manufacturer) glass. But AAA warns that using lower-quality parts might be a risk. Bargain windshields may create optical distortions that make it harder to drive.

Another safety concern with aftermarket parts is fit. Your windshield helps to support the roof and structure of your car in an accident and plays a critical role in airbag deployment. If it doesn’t fit perfectly, you’re less safe in the event of a crash.

It generally costs between $50 and $150 to repair a cracked windshield, but it could cost less in some cases. Usually, the smaller the chip, the cheaper it will be to repair.

Even without insurance, windshield repair or replacement should be pretty affordable. But if you do have insurance, it’s possible that you may not have to pay anything at all. Many insurers offer $0 or low deductible glass claims as part of comprehensive coverage.

In general, your windshield needs to be replaced if it has a fissure larger than a dollar bill or a chip that’s larger than a quarter. If the damage is small and falls out of the driver’s line of sight, it can usually be repaired rather than replaced.

Car insurance does cover windshield replacement if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive car insurance protects your car from damage caused by something other than a collision with another vehicle. It can help pay for windshield damage caused by tree branches falling, rocks or debris on the roadway while driving, acts of vandalism, and collisions with animals (like a deer).

If your windshield was damaged in a car accident and the other driver was at fault, their liability insurance should pay for your windshield repair or replacement. If you are at fault in the accident, you will have to file a claim under collision insurance, which covers the damage after you pay your deductible.

Although comprehensive insurance usually has a deductible, too, some companies have a reduced or even $0 deductible for comprehensive windshield claims. This lower deductible is different than the driver’s standard comprehensive deductible, which is usually $500 or $1,000.

Windshield damage might not cost you anything if you have comprehensive coverage, but you should check with your insurer about your policy details. Windshield repair and replacement is usually affordable, so the cost might be less than your deductible. If that’s the case, you won’t be able to file a claim anyway. If the cost is just over that of your deductible, it might not be worth filing a claim and paying higher premiums over time in order to save on windshield replacement right now.