If you’ve got a cracked windshield, your first question is usually the same one everyone asks: “Will my insurance pay for this — and is it even worth filing a claim?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear at AFG Auto Glass, and the answer depends on your coverage, your state, and the type of damage. Here’s a clear, honest breakdown for drivers across the DMV.

The short answer

In most cases, yes — if you carry comprehensive coverage. Windshield and auto glass damage falls under the comprehensive portion of your auto policy (sometimes called “comp” or “other than collision”), not your collision coverage. If you have comprehensive coverage, your windshield repair or replacement is usually covered, minus your deductible. If you only carry liability coverage, glass damage typically is not covered, and you’d pay out of pocket.

The good news: even out of pocket, windshield repair starts around $99 and replacement around $249 at AFG, and we’ll always give you a free, no-obligation quote first.

What about my deductible?

This is where it gets important. Even with comprehensive coverage, you normally pay your deductible before insurance covers the rest. So if your deductible is $500 and a windshield replacement costs $350, filing a claim wouldn’t help — you’d pay the full amount anyway. But if your replacement costs $600 and your deductible is $250, insurance covers the difference.

There’s one major exception worth knowing about: glass-specific coverage and zero-deductible glass laws.

Virginia, Maryland & DC: how the rules differ

Virginia: Virginia does not have a state law requiring zero-deductible glass coverage, so your deductible applies as written in your policy. However, many Virginia drivers carry an optional full glass coverage add-on that waives the deductible for glass-only claims. It’s worth checking your policy — this small add-on can make windshield replacement essentially free when you need it.

Maryland: Maryland is one of the states that offers strong glass-coverage options, and many insurers operating in Maryland offer full safety glass coverage with no deductible as part of comprehensive policies or as a low-cost add-on. If you have it, your windshield replacement can be fully covered with nothing out of pocket.

Washington DC: In DC, glass claims fall under comprehensive coverage and your standard deductible applies unless you’ve added optional full glass coverage. As in Virginia, that add-on is inexpensive and can pay for itself with a single windshield replacement.

Because policies vary so much between insurers and individual plans, the only way to know for sure is to check your declarations page or call your insurer — or simply call us, and we’ll help you find out.

Will filing a glass claim raise my rates?

This is the worry that stops a lot of people from filing — and it’s a fair one. Generally, comprehensive glass claims are far less likely to raise your premium than at-fault collision claims, because glass damage is usually considered “no-fault” (a rock on the highway isn’t your fault). Many insurers explicitly do not surcharge for a single glass claim. That said, it’s not a universal guarantee, and repeated claims can have an effect, so it’s always smart to confirm with your specific insurer.

Repair vs. replacement and your claim

Insurers strongly prefer repair over replacement when possible, because it’s cheaper — and many will waive your deductible entirely for a chip repair, since fixing a small chip for under $100 saves them from paying for a full replacement later. If your damage is a chip or crack smaller than a quarter and not in the driver’s direct line of sight, a quick repair may be fully covered with no deductible at all. (Learn more on our windshield repair page.)

Which insurance companies does AFG work with?

We work with all major insurance providers, including GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, and Nationwide. More importantly, we handle the entire claim process for you — from verifying your coverage to billing your insurer directly. You don’t chase paperwork; in most cases you just confirm your policy details, and we take it from there.

How to use your insurance with AFG — step by step

Call us for a free quote by phone, text, or our online form. Have your vehicle’s year, make, and model handy.
Tell us your insurance provider. We’ll help you check whether you have comprehensive or full glass coverage and what your deductible is.
We verify and file the claim directly with your insurer — no shop visit required.
We schedule same-day mobile service to your home, office, or wherever you’re parked across Virginia, Maryland, or DC.
You pay only your deductible (if any), and we bill the rest to your insurance.

Don’t wait on a small chip

Whether or not you file a claim, the worst thing you can do is wait. A small chip can spread into a full-width crack overnight — especially during DMV temperature swings — turning a sub-$100 repair into a $250+ replacement. (Here’s why you shouldn’t drive with a cracked windshield.)

Not sure what your insurance covers? Call AFG Auto Glass and we’ll help you find out — for free. We’ve served drivers across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC since 1999, with same-day mobile service, a lifetime warranty, and direct insurance billing.

Get your free quote now →