Does my Arizona car insurance cover a broken windshield?

Ten percent of the nation’s auto glass claims were filed in Arizona between 2015 to 2019, according to the most recent data by the

National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). That’s about 2.6 million claims in a state with a population of about 7.2 million. 

Understanding where those glass claims are coming from and how your Arizona car insurance can help may be why you’re here. As an insurer in the Grand Canyon state, we’ve had our fair share of questions on the topic of windshield or glass coverage, and we want to help answer a few. Let’s dive in.

Arizona: a hot spot for broken windshields

With millions of claims in Arizona coming in for auto glass, the big question is why? There are a few different reasons why chipped or broken windshields happen in AZ—construction debris is one of them. However, the biggest reason is the desert landscape. 

In most states, it’s common for roads to have ditches, allowing debris and other materials to roll down and off the road. In Arizona, many roadways have landscaping that angles downward

toward the road and is often lined with small rocks and gravel. 

This, along with the natural desert landscape that is filled with little pebbles and rocks can get caught in and under tires, kicking it back onto other cars—often breaking or chipping windshields. 

If you share the experience (like many others) of a broken windshield, you may wonder what  Arizona car insurance companies are doing to address the topic. 

Arizona glass coverage regulations

When we talk about what the state and local car insurance companies can do about broken glass, we’re talking about regulations—not laws. Arizona has an insurance regulation that requires state insurers to offer an option for a $0 glass deductible if a customer purchases Comprehensive coverage in their car insurance policy. 

What is the $0 glass deductible regulation? As a mandate in six states, including Arizona, it means that under Comprehensive coverage, insurers would pay for all windshield replacement costs. However, it’s important to understand that in order for that to apply, a customer must purchase the $0 deductible option with their insurer.

Here’s an example:

You’re driving down the hot, dry Arizona freeway when pebbles and dust from the construction truck you’ve been following hit your windshield—creating a spider web of cracks and chips in the glass. 

At HiRoad, you have two options. In your auto insurance policy, you have Comprehensive coverage with a $100 deductible. To repair the damage to your windshield, you would be responsible for paying the $100 deductible before insurance covers any remaining portion of the repair. 

OR

Say you have the same policy, but you opted to include a $0 glass deductible. This option would apply the $100 deductible to all Comprehensive claims except glass damage. And because you elected for the $0 deductible for glass claims, you wouldn’t pay anything for the windshield replacement. 

What’s the difference between the two options? Cost. Depending on your vehicle and policy, adding the $0 glass deductible may increase your monthly insurance bill. However, you should weigh that cost against how often you’ve had or foresee yourself having to replace glass on your vehicle.

The insurance role of Arizona glass coverage

Now that we’ve talked a little bit about Arizona’s glass coverage regulation and how HiRoad insurance policy applies in those scenarios let’s talk more about what your car insurance can and can’t do in the event of a broken windshield. 

What is or isn’t covered by the insurance company in the event of a glass claim boils down to one thing: your policy. Insurance companies are bound by the coverages found in your policy at the time of the event and what coverages are found within the policy.

Which is why at HiRoad, we highly recommend reading through your policy to understand what will be covered by insurance in the event of damages or a loss. You can generally find what coverages you have by reviewing an online account, a declarations page, your auto ID card or by chatting with Customer Care specialists. 

But if you don’t have certain coverages required for glass repairs? We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but many insurers (HiRoad included) will only cover based on what you actively have in your policy. So if you damage a window, you won’t be able to add the coverage after the loss has happened. 

The takeaway here is that as an Arizona resident, your auto insurance policy reflects you and your driving habits.

Arizona auto insurance with a mindful approach

As a mindful driver, you are conscious of where your miles and money go. With HiRoad, we want the same for you. With the number of glass claims in Arizona, as a longtime resident or new to the state, you want to make a decision that’s right for you and your wallet. 

Sit down with your car insurance company, and with your budget in mind, think about if a $0 glass deductible with your Comprehensive coverage is worth it. Or, if going for a low deductible for Comprehensive—that applies in glass claims—is the way to go. 

At HiRoad, we’re ready to chat with you about your options and help you find the right policy fit. We want nothing more than for you to have confidence in a policy that covers you on the road and saves you money in the process. 

Start now by calling us at 888.912.9306 to begin a quote. Talk soon! 

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with HiRoad®. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. HiRoad is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. HiRoad makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.