Glass claims and insurance in Indiana
In brief: In Indiana, comprehensive auto coverage pays for broken glass such as windshield damage, less your deductible. Comprehensive is optional by law, though lenders may require it[1].
Does insurance cover windshield damage in Indiana?
Usually, if you carry comprehensive coverage. The Indiana Department of Insurance’s consumer guide says comprehensive “pays for damage to your auto from almost all other causes, including fire, severe weather, vandalism, floods and theft” and “will cover broken glass, such as windshield damage”[1]. Comprehensive is optional: “you are not required by law to carry comprehensive coverage”. A lender may require it on a financed car[1]. Liability-only policies do not pay for your own glass.
How does the deductible work?
A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurer pays the rest. The guide’s example: with a $200 deductible and a $500 loss, you pay $200 and the insurer $300[1]. If a windshield costs less than the deductible, a claim pays nothing. Some policies include full-glass or reduced glass deductibles, and some insurers waive the deductible for chip repair. Read the declarations page or ask the agent.
Will a glass claim raise my premium?
The IDOI guide explains that rating looks at risk factors and that claim frequency is “the single greatest influence on the rating process”, measured across groups of drivers rather than just one person’s claims[1]. Comprehensive claims, which are not the driver’s fault, are generally treated differently from at-fault accidents, but practices vary by company. Ask your insurer before filing if you are concerned.
How do I make a glass claim?
- Photograph the damage and note the date, time and place (for example, a stone thrown on the Borman).
- Call the insurer or agent, or use its app, and report a comprehensive glass claim.
- Ask whether repair is possible; chips caught early are often cheaper for everyone.
- Choose a shop; you may use the shop you prefer, though the insurer may suggest a network.
- Ask whether calibration is needed and covered for cars with windshield cameras; see calibration.
- Keep the invoice and any calibration report.
Can I pick my own shop?
Insurers often use glass claims administrators that direct customers to network shops. The IDOI auto insurance page notes that the department cannot recommend specific insurers[2]. Read your policy for any terms about where repairs may be done and how much the insurer will pay, and get the agreed price before work begins. Low Price Auto Glass’s website does not list which insurers it works with; ask when booking[3].
Is it cheaper to pay cash?
Sometimes. If the replacement costs less than or close to the deductible, paying directly avoids a claim record. The shop says it gives free quotes, so compare the quote with your deductible before filing[4].
Questions and answers
Does comprehensive insurance cover a cracked windshield in Indiana?
Yes. The Indiana Department of Insurance says comprehensive coverage covers broken glass such as windshield damage.
Is comprehensive coverage required in Indiana?
No, but a lender may require it on a financed vehicle.
Do I have to pay a deductible for a windshield claim?
Usually, unless your policy includes full glass coverage or the insurer waives it for repairs.
Related articles
- Chip repair or replacement
- Power window repair
- Services and warranty
- Location, hours and directions
- Service area
Notes
- ^ a b c d e Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance. Indiana Department of Insurance. Checked 9 November 2026.
- ^ Auto Insurance. Indiana Department of Insurance. Checked 9 November 2026.
- ^ Auto Glass Repair & Windshield Replacement in Hammond, IN (home page). Low Price Auto Glass (autoglasshammond.com). Checked 9 November 2026.
- ^ Contact us (address, phone, hours). Low Price Auto Glass (autoglasshammond.com). Checked 9 November 2026.