Does Car Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement in Florida?

The short answer: yes — and in most cases it's $0 to you. Florida law requires insurance companies to waive the deductible for windshield repair and replacement if you carry comprehensive coverage. You've likely been paying for this benefit without knowing it.

Windshield damage is covered under comprehensive coverage — not collision. Comprehensive covers non-accident damage like weather, debris, and rocks kicked up on the highway.

If you only carry liability insurance (the minimum required in Florida), windshield repair is not covered and you'd pay out of pocket. But if you have full coverage or added comprehensive to your policy, you're almost certainly covered.

Not sure if you have comprehensive? Check your insurance card or app — it will list your coverages. You can also call your agent and ask directly: "Do I have comprehensive coverage, and does it cover windshield replacement?"

No — and this is what makes Florida unique. Under Florida Statute §627.7288, insurance companies are required to cover windshield repair and replacement without applying your deductible. This applies to any comprehensive claim for glass damage.

That means even if your deductible is $500 or $1,000, you owe $0 for windshield work when you go through insurance.

In most cases, no. A glass-only claim is generally considered a "not-at-fault" claim and does not count against your driving record or cause a rate increase. This is another reason many drivers are surprised — they assume filing any claim will cost them later.

That said, policies vary. If you're concerned, a quick call to your agent before filing will give you a clear answer for your specific policy.

It's simpler than most people expect. Here's how it typically works:

1. Call your insurance company or use their app — Let them know you have windshield damage and want to file a glass claim under your comprehensive coverage.

2. Choose your shop — Florida law gives you the right to choose any licensed auto glass shop. You are not required to use the insurer's preferred vendor. You can choose Robo Works.

3. We handle the rest — Once you have a claim number, give it to us. We bill your insurance directly, schedule the service, and you pay nothing.

You can absolutely choose your own shop. Florida law protects your right to select any licensed auto glass repair facility. Your insurance company may recommend their "preferred" shops — often called a "network" — but you are not obligated to use them.

If an insurer pressures you to use a specific shop or tells you your chosen shop is "not approved," that's a red flag. Your right to choose is protected.

Yes. Chip repairs are fast (usually 30–45 minutes), they restore the structural integrity of the glass, and they can often prevent a chip from spreading into a full crack that requires full replacement.

Since the repair is covered at $0 under Florida law, there's no financial reason to wait. A crack that spreads past a dollar bill in size usually cannot be repaired — it needs full replacement. Catching it early saves time and hassle.

Rule of thumb: If the chip is smaller than a quarter and not in the driver's line of sight, it can typically be repaired. Anything larger, or any crack longer than 3 inches, usually requires replacement.

Yes, and this is important. Many newer vehicles have cameras, sensors, and radar systems mounted to or near the windshield that power features like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. These are called ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).

After a windshield replacement on an ADAS-equipped vehicle, these systems must be recalibrated to ensure they work correctly. Skipping calibration can cause these safety systems to malfunction — which is a serious safety risk.

Robo Works performs ADAS calibration as part of our replacement service. When you book, let us know your year, make, and model and we'll confirm whether calibration is required.

The replacement itself typically takes 60–90 minutes. After installation, the adhesive (urethane) needs time to cure before the vehicle is safe to drive — usually a minimum of 1 hour, though we'll give you the specific safe drive-away time based on conditions.

We offer same-week scheduling for most jobs in the Bradenton, Sarasota, Palmetto, and Lakewood Ranch areas.

We'll verify your coverage, handle your insurance claim, and get you scheduled — usually within the week. Get a free quote or call us at (941) 281-5012.