AZ Windshield Insurance Law
Arizona’s Zero Deductible Full Glass Coverage Law
Windshield Replacement With Insurance vs. Windshield Replacement Without Insurance
Only a couple of states, Florida and Pennsylvania, mandate a zero deductible full glass coverage benefit for all policyholders, but Arizona Windshield Insurance Law has an optional coverage law.
How does auto glass insurance work?
The option is for auto insurance providers to set up a zero deductible benefit for auto glass coverage at their discretion. Furthermore, motorists can also choose if they want to seek this type of coverage when they shop around for benefits.
Is glass coverage mandatory in AZ? The Arizona Department of Insurance notes that you can add optional “full glass” or “safety equipment” coverage that covers windshield repairs with no deductible payment from you. You can choose who does the repair, but they’re allowed to use aftermarket parts, rather than just Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts.
Know This
- When filing a claim for a windshield repair or replacement service in Arizona, you have the right to choose which repair company you entrust with the care of your vehicle
- AZ Windshield Insurance Law has an optional zero deductible rule for windshield glass repairs or replacement services
- AZ Windshield Insurance Law allows aftermarket parts with written notice and at least equal in fit, quality, performance, and warranty
- Consumer has the right to choose repair vendor
- Zero deductible with comprehensive coverage is optional
- Replacing or repairing your windshield at the first sign of damage may help you to stay safer on the road and can help you to keep your vehicle maintained in better overall condition
Filing a claim against your auto insurance policy may be a feasible solution for some Arizona motorists, and this option could dramatically reduce the amount of out-of-pocket expenses you must pay for.
What is Comprehensive Insurance
Comprehensive insurance is a special type of coverage that offers financial benefits for a full range of damage types. Glass replacement coverage is usually not available if you only buy a liability auto insurance coverage or collision auto insurance policy.
This video from Travelers briefly describes what comprehensive coverage is for.
Can You Legally Choose Windshield Replacement Vendor?
In Arizona, drivers have complete control over the repair vendor that works on their vehicle. You do not have to worry about paying additional fees out of your own pocket related to an insurance company’s preferred vendor. The reason for this is because your insurance company will not have a preferred vendor in this state, and the decision is entirely up to you.
Can you drive with a cracked windshield in Arizona?
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that, despite Arizona being ranked 14th in population size, they are number one in auto glass claims. Between 2015 and 2019, 10 percent of glass claims in the entire country were in the Grand Canyon state. In fact, claims in Arizona have increased by 26 percent in the past five years, a statistic that has raised some red flags regarding possible fraud that regulators are trying to stop.
A cracked windshield may impact your safety behind the wheel and should be addressed promptly. The major things you want to look for are: the size of the crack, where it’s located, if it’s spreading, and how much it may cost to repair.
Is it illegal to drive with a cracked windshield in Arizona? Arizona’s glass law (ARS 20-264) notes that you must not have anything that restricts your vision, including a bad crack in the windshield.
Federal Regulation §393.60 states that windshields must have no damage in the area above the steering wheel, where your vision can be obstructed. The only exceptions are for minor cracks that are not crossing another crack or for a small damaged area which is no more than 3/4″ diameter and less than 3″ from another similarly damaged area.
Windshield Insurance Coverage Bottom Line
Windshield Replacement With Insurance Coverage: If you opted to add glass coverage when you purchased your policy, you won’t pay any out of pocket expense for the replacement of your broken windshield and you won’t pay for any windshield calibration that your windshield may require after the replacement. Windshield replacement with insurance coverage is asensable choice when you live in Phoenix where construction and gravel litter our streets.
Windshield Replacement With No Insurance Coverage: If you opted to not add glass coverage to your car insurance policy, then you will incur the cost of the windshield replacement. In Phoenix where our freeways and surface streets are constantly under construction not not mention the landscape gravel that is extensively used in the Phoenix area, it is always advisable to pay for the extra glass coverage especially for newr model vehicles where windshields could cost north of $1000.