What Is Full Glass Coverage? Is It Worth It?

Last Updated on December 31, 2025

Full glass coverage (sometimes called a $0 glass deductible or a glass deductible waiver) is an optional car insurance add-on that can pay to repair or replace your windshield and other auto glass without charging you a deductible.

If you already carry comprehensive coverage, your policy likely covers glass damage—but you usually still have to pay your comprehensive deductible unless your state’s rules or your policy’s endorsements remove it.

Below is exactly how full glass coverage works, what it covers, where a $0 glass deductible is required (or commonly available), what it typically costs, and how to decide if it’s worth adding.

Key Takeaways

• Full glass coverage (also called a $0 glass deductible or glass deductible waiver) can pay for windshield and other auto glass claims without charging you a deductible.
• Comprehensive coverage usually covers glass damage already—full glass coverage mainly changes what you pay out of pocket (often $0) for glass-only repairs or replacements.
• Some states waive the windshield/glass deductible by law (like Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina), while others require insurers to offer an optional no-deductible safety glass add-on (like Arizona, Connecticut, and Minnesota).
• Full glass coverage is most valuable when your comprehensive deductible is high, your windshield is expensive to replace (common on newer cars with ADAS), or you frequently drive where chips and cracks happen.

What Is Full Glass Coverage?

Full glass coverage is an endorsement that changes what you pay out of pocket when your vehicle’s glass is damaged. Instead of paying your comprehensive deductible for a glass-only claim, your insurer may cover repairs or replacement at a $0 deductible (or a lower glass-specific deductible than your standard comprehensive deductible).

It’s most commonly used for non-collision damage like rock chips, vandalism, severe weather, and falling objects. If you’re wondering whether your current policy already covers windshield replacement, start there—then confirm whether a deductible applies.

What Does Full Glass Coverage Cover?

Coverage details vary by insurer and state, but full glass coverage commonly applies to:

• Windshield (repair or replacement)
• Side windows (driver/passenger door glass)
• Rear window
• Quarter glass and other fixed window glass
• Sunroof/moonroof glass (on many policies, but not all)

What it usually does not cover: normal wear and tear, pre-existing damage, aftermarket tint/film replacement, and non-glass parts (like mirrors or headlight housings) unless your policy specifically includes them.

When You Might Have a $0 Glass Deductible by State Law

Some states give drivers special protections for windshield (or safety glass) claims. That means you may already have a $0 windshield deductible with comprehensive coverage—or your insurer may be required to offer a no-deductible glass option.

States where the windshield deductible is waived with comprehensive coverage (commonly cited):

• Florida: Florida law prevents insurers from applying the comprehensive deductible to windshield damage (windshield only, not necessarily all glass). (Florida Statutes § 627.7288)
• Kentucky: Kentucky’s safety equipment statute can require glass-only claims to be covered without a deductible under comprehensive/other-than-collision coverage. (KRS 304.20-060)
• South Carolina: South Carolina law waives the deductible for glass coverage when you have comprehensive coverage (per the state Department of Insurance). (SC DOI FAQ on glass coverage)

States that require insurers to offer an optional no-deductible safety glass add-on: Several states require insurers to provide (at your option) complete safety glass coverage without regard to a deductible—meaning it’s often available as a selectable option rather than automatic coverage.

• Arizona: (A.R.S. § 20-264)
• Connecticut: (CT Gen. Stat. § 38a-339)
• Minnesota: (Minn. Stat. § 65B.134)

Important: Even in states with special glass rules, details can depend on whether the loss is “glass-only,” which glass is damaged (windshield vs. other windows), and how your policy is written. For a deeper overview of where “free windshield replacement” is commonly discussed, see free windshield replacement.

Full Glass Coverage vs. Comprehensive and Collision

Most people buy full glass coverage on top of a full coverage policy. “Full coverage” usually means you’ve added comprehensive and collision coverage to your liability policy (often required by lenders/lessors). If you’re shopping and want a full overview, start here: buying full coverage auto insurance.

Here’s how glass damage is typically handled without a special glass waiver:

If you want deeper definitions of what these coverages are (and what they don’t cover), read: What Is Comprehensive Coverage? and What Is Collision Coverage?

Where full glass coverage really helps is when the damage is covered by comprehensive, but your windshield replacement deductible (or comprehensive deductible) would otherwise make the claim expensive to file.

Windshield Repair vs. Replacement

Many insurers prefer repairs over replacement because repairs are faster and cheaper. Even without full glass coverage, some carriers will waive the deductible for a repair if the chip is small and can be safely fixed.

Repairability depends on the size, depth, and location of the damage. As a general rule, chips are more likely repairable when they’re small and not directly in the driver’s line of sight or along the windshield’s edge.

If a crack is spreading, located near the edge, or compromises visibility, replacement is more likely—and that’s where a $0 glass deductible can make a big difference.

ADAS Calibration and Other Modern Windshield Costs

On newer vehicles, a windshield replacement can be more than “glass and labor.” Many cars have cameras and sensors mounted to (or looking through) the windshield for features like lane keeping, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

After replacement, the system may need ADAS recalibration. Calibration costs can vary significantly by vehicle and may be billed separately by the glass shop.

If you’re filing a comprehensive glass claim, calibration is often handled as part of the same loss. For example, Safelite notes that with comprehensive coverage you’re generally responsible for your deductible, and recalibration costs are typically covered as part of the claim: windshield camera recalibration and insurance.

How Much Does Full Glass Coverage Cost?

Pricing varies widely by insurer, vehicle, location, and how high your current comprehensive deductible is. In many cases, full glass coverage is relatively inexpensive—often just a few dollars per month—because it only changes how glass-only claims are paid.

That said, vehicles with expensive windshields (heated glass, special coatings, embedded sensors, or ADAS cameras) can make glass claims more costly, which may affect how much the endorsement costs (or whether it’s offered at all).

Is Full Glass Coverage Worth It?

Full glass coverage is usually worth considering when:

• Your comprehensive deductible is high (commonly $500 or $1,000)
• You drive where rock chips and cracks are common (highways, construction corridors, gravel roads)
• Your vehicle likely needs ADAS recalibration after windshield replacement
• You’d rather not gamble on paying for an unexpected glass bill out of pocket

A quick way to decide is to compare:

• What you’d pay without the endorsement: your deductible (example: $500)
• What you might pay with the endorsement: often $0 for glass-only claims
• What the endorsement costs per year: whatever your quote shows

If a windshield replacement would cost less than (or close to) your deductible, you may be better off paying out of pocket instead of filing a claim—unless your policy/state rules make it a $0 deductible situation.

Also remember: even comprehensive claims can sometimes impact your premium depending on your insurer, loss history, and state rating rules. If you’re worried about that, see: Do comprehensive claims raise your rates?

Which Insurers Offer Glass Coverage Options?

Most major insurers cover glass damage through comprehensive coverage, and many offer some type of glass deductible option depending on your state. To see how glass claims are typically handled by carrier, start here:

• AAA
• Allstate
• American Family
• Erie Insurance
• Farmers
• GEICO
• Liberty Mutual
• Nationwide
• Progressive
• State Farm
• Travelers
• USAA

How to Add Full Glass Coverage (and How to Use It)

If you want full glass coverage, the simplest approach is to call your insurer (or check your policy documents) and ask whether they offer:

• A $0 glass deductible
• A glass deductible waiver
• full safety glass coverage
• A glass-only deductible that’s lower than your comprehensive deductible

If you need to file a glass claim, ask these questions before scheduling service:

• Is this claim considered glass-only or a comprehensive claim?
• Will I owe $0, my comprehensive deductible, or a separate glass deductible?
• Does my vehicle require ADAS recalibration, and is it included in the approved repair?
• Can I choose my own shop, and is there a warranty on the work?

FAQs on Full Glass Coverage

Final Word on Full Glass Coverage

Full glass coverage is a simple upgrade that can remove (or reduce) your out-of-pocket cost for windshield and auto glass repairs. For many drivers, the decision comes down to how high their deductible is, how often they deal with chips/cracks, and how expensive their windshield is to replace.

No state requires drivers to carry full glass coverage, but coverage rules vary widely and may change what you pay when glass breaks. If you want to compare your options by state, see state-by-state auto insurance requirements and then confirm glass coverage directly with your insurer.

Tip: If you’re shopping for coverage, ask for quotes both ways—your current comprehensive deductible vs. a $0 glass deductible—so you can see the real price difference on your specific vehicle.