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Illinois Windshield Insurance: What are the Full Glass coverage laws in Illinois?

Things to remember...

  • In Illinois, glass repair is covered under comprehensive coverage but full coverage is not automatically included
  • Some insurers do offer full glass coverage, but you will have to add the coverage on for an additional charge
  • In Illinois, auto insurers are allowed to pay for aftermarket and used parts as long as it’s in the estimate
  • As the consumer, you have the right to refuse the use of aftermarket parts but you will be billed the difference
  • While zero deductible plans aren’t required to be offered, some individual carriers in the state may offer the option


Windshields have come a long way since they were developed in 1904. When they were initially developed, cars weren’t capable of traveling at high speeds so windshields were considered a luxury rather than a mandatory component.

Today, you won’t see a street-legal private passenger vehicle without a windshield made of high-quality materials that don’t easily break. They are not impenetrable even though modern auto glass materials offer:

  • UV protection
  • great visibility
  • heat absorption qualities

A stray pebble flying off of the back of a construction truck or fast-traveling debris from the road can easily turn your blemish-free windshield into a badly cracked one. As hard as you try to avoid it, sometimes windshield cracks just aren’t avoidable.

If you live in Illinois, don’t run to just any local auto glass company to get your repairs done right away without first researching into glass coverage laws in your state.

With the average cost of a modern windshield replacement raking in at $400, it’s important to use whatever coverage you have to pay for the job. Your insurance may provide you with full glass coverage if you’ve structured the policy that way. Learn if auto insurance covers a damaged windshield before purchasing.

Compare rates today with our free quote tool above! 

Table of Contents

Can I drive a vehicle with a cracked windshield in Illinois?

Depending on the size of the damage, you may need to hire a chip repair specialist or an entire replacement service provider. Chip repair is extremely affordable and sometimes the fee could be waived with the proper coverage through your insurer.

You need to know what auto insurance policies are required to cover and the restrictions that can be set on glass coverage before filing an insurance claim.

Laws have been set forth in the state of Illinois to protect auto insurance consumers. If these laws weren’t in place, large corporations in the insurance industry could dictate whether or not to pay a claim and what type of parts to use.

In Illinois specifically, your auto glass damage is covered if you carry comprehensive coverage. State law also says what types of parts insurers must pay for when settling a claim.

Zero Deductible Full Glass Coverage Law in Illinois

State law may or may not dictate whether or not licensed insurance carriers are required to offer zero deductible or Full Glass coverage, but it doesn’t always include requirements on this.

In the state of Illinois, there isn’t a specific law that requires licensed carriers with the Illinois Department of Insurance to offer their clients Full Glass coverage.

If you ever want to file an auto glass claim, you’ll have to carry comprehensive coverage.

In all states, it’s the vehicle owner’s comprehensive coverage that will pay for glass repairs and replacement if the damage exceeds the comprehensive deductible reported at the time of the loss.

You are required to pay your deductible when filing your comprehensive glass claim. If your windshield is $500 and your deductible is $100, your insurer will pay $400 and you will cover the rest.

With a zero deductible policy, you won’t pay your comprehensive deductible because that amount is waived when filing a glass claim only.

Many Illinois insurers offer some type of Full Glass coverage even though it’s not required. It’s considered more of a highlight of buying insurance with a carrier than a must-have option.

You must have comprehensive coverage if you’d like to take advantage of this form of additional protection. Always compare prices between Full Glass options and other low-deductible options before buying a plan.

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Law Governing Replacement Parts in Illinois

Now that you understand how auto glass is covered under your Illinois auto policy, the next step is to find out what type of parts can be used.

It would be ideal if all insurers paid for new Original Equipment Manufacturer parts, but this isn’t the case in all states.

In Illinois, your insurance company isn’t required to pay for the new auto glass. The parts just have to have an identification number and they must be of like kind and quality.

As long as the estimate says that the shop is using aftermarket or used glass, the insurer is not violating the law. Even though OEM parts aren’t required, you still have a final choice as to which parts are used in your car.

If you’d like the shop to use OEM parts as opposed to cheaper non-OEM options, you’ll have to pay the difference between the cost of each. Illinois insurers can also deduct charges for betterment.

Laws Governing Choice of Repair Vendor in Illinois

Your auto insurance may recommend that you take your car to a specific auto glass shop in Illinois, but Illinois law says that you are not required to use the repair facility that you’re recommended.

If you would like to take your car to a repair shop of your preference, you may have to handle the claim process on your own, pay the shop, and then get reimbursed for the work done. The insurer can’t guarantee the work done if you don’t go to a recommended facility.

Going to a shop that participates in the Direct Repair Program can make the entire claims process easier on you.

Many times, the repair shop will file your claim for you, speak with the claims department, and collect payment.

This relieves some of the burdens off of you as the consumer and you’ll have greater quality protections, but it is ultimately your choice. Having glass coverage can save the day if you have a crack that keeps spreading.

If you’d like to see how much it will cost you to purchase zero deductible coverage, use an online rate comparison tool and enter your Illinois zip code to be directed to estimates from respected providers.

Don’t miss out on our free quote tool below! Just enter your zip code and start comparing rates now!

References:

  1. http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/windshield-history.cfm
  2. https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-replace-windshield.htm
  3. https://insurance.illinois.gov/autoinsurance/auto_own_claim.pdf
  4. http://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/features/2012/07/02/253290.htm
  5. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0398.htm
  6. http://www.naic.org/store/free/MDL-902.pdf

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