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Quick answer: Yes. If you carry comprehensive coverage (called "Other Than Collision Coverage" at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance), your policy may help pay for a cracked windshield repair or replacement after your deductible. At Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, if the damage can be repaired rather than replaced, the deductible may be waived (certain limitations apply).
One second, you're driving along just fine. The next, a rock flies off a truck ahead of you and leaves a crack spreading across the glass. It happens fast, and the first question on your mind is usually: will my insurance cover this?
The answer depends on the type of coverage your policy provides. Here's how it works in Indiana, including when you may be covered, when you may not and when it might make more sense to pay for repairs out of pocket.
Not every auto policy covers windshield damage the same way. The coverage that applies depends on how the damage happened:
This is the coverage that handles most windshield claims. It can help pay for damage caused by events that aren't collisions like flying rocks, hail, falling tree branches, animal strikes, vandalism and theft. If a stone flies off a truck on I-69 and chips your windshield, this is the coverage that may apply.
At Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, this coverage is called Other Than Collision Coverage. It covers covered glass damage losses after your applicable deductible, and if the damage can be repaired (rather than fully replaced), we generally waive the deductible (certain limitations apply). You pay nothing out of pocket for the repair if that scenario occurs.
If your windshield cracks during a car accident, for example, a fender-bender pushes your hood into the glass, then collision coverage applies rather than comprehensive (Other Than Collision at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance). Your deductible applies, and the claim would be handled as part of the overall accident claim.
If you carry only the minimum required coverage in Indiana (25/50/25 liability), windshield damage to your own vehicle is generally not covered. Liability insurance typically covers damage you cause to other people and their property, not your own vehicle. You'd ,likely need to pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket.
Repair vs. replacement: how to know which you need
Not every crack means a full windshield replacement. Here's a general guide:
Damage Type | Typical Fix | Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Deductible |
Small chip (quarter-sized or smaller, up to three and not in the line of sight) | Repaired with resin that fills the chip | Typically waived ($0) |
Crack shorter than about six inches, not in driver's line of sight | May be repairable | Standard deductible applies if repair is not possible and replacement is necessary |
Long crack, spiderweb pattern, or damage at the edge | Full replacement | Standard deductible applies |
Multiple cracks or shattered glass | Full replacement | Standard deductible applies |
A glass specialist can evaluate your windshield and tell you whether a repair will hold or whether replacement is needed. An important thing to remember: small chips are often repairable, and at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, repairable damage means you typically pay $0 out of pocket.
That's why getting chips fixed quickly matters. Indiana's freeze-thaw cycles could potentially turn a quarter-sized chip into a full crack in days. A repair that could have cost you nothing may turn into a more costly replacement if you wait too long.
If your vehicle has advanced driver assistance features like rain-sensing wipers, lane-departure cameras, forward collision warning or a heads-up display, your windshield isn't just glass. It's part of your car's safety system.
Replacing an ADAS-equipped windshield generally costs more than a standard replacement because:
The glass itself may need to meet heightened specifications.
After installation, the cameras and sensors built into or behind the windshield likely need to be recalibrated so they continue working correctly.
Recalibration typically requires specialized equipment and certified technicians, adding to the total cost.
If your vehicle has any of these features, make sure you mention them when you file your claim. Your insurer needs to know so the replacement meets the right standards and your safety systems continue working as designed.
If you carry liability-only coverage, or if you chose not to add Other Than Collision coverage to your policy, you'll typically be paying for repairs out of pocket. Here are some ways to help manage the cost:
Get multiple estimates. Call two or three glass repair shops and compare quotes. Prices can vary significantly for the same job.
Ask about mobile service. Many glass shops in Indiana will come to your home or workplace to do the repair, often at no extra charge.
Fix chips before they spread. A chip repair may cost $80-$150 or more. A full replacement may cost $280 to over $1,000 or more depending on your vehicle.
Consider adding Other Than Collision coverage. If you don't currently have it, adding (Other Than Collision coverage at Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance) to your policy may cost less than you'd expect, and it can help protect you against hail, animal strikes, vandalism, and theft in addition to windshield damage.
Want to see what adding comprehensive coverage would cost for your vehicle? Get a free auto insurance quote online or talk to your local agent.
If your windshield is damaged and you have Other Than Collision coverage, filing a claim is straightforward:
Document the damage. Take a close-up photo of the chip or crack, plus a wider photo showing where the damage sits on the windshield.
File your claim. You can file a claim on our mobile app, online, by calling 800-723-3276 or by contacting your local agent directly.
Have your info ready: policy number, date the damage occurred (or when you noticed it), description of what happened, and your vehicle's year, make, and model.
If you file your claim in the mobile app or online. You will go through the reporting process entirely self-serve. The system checks availability, then you can pick your preferred repair location and schedule your appointment.
If you file your claim by calling our Customer Service Center. Once your claim is filed, a claims representative will follow up with next steps. Some glass repairs may be able to be completed on the same day.
Tip: File your claim before having the repair done. Your insurer may need to verify the damage or have preferred vendors who work directly with your coverage.
This often comes down to the cost of the repair compared your deductible:
Repair is possible: At Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the deductible is generally waived for repairable damage → file the claim (may cost you $0).
Replacement cost is well above your deductible: File the claim, your insurance can help cover the difference on a covered loss and may save you money.
Replacement cost is close to or below your deductible: Still file the claim, but if you determine there's little to no financial benefit to continuing with the claim before a payout occurs, your claims representative can close out your claim and you can pay out of pocket once you make that decision.
For a deeper look at this decision, including cost examples with the math, see our guide: Does a windshield claim raise car insurance rates in Indiana?
Not sure if your windshield is covered?
Review your coverage online or ask your local Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent to walk you through your policy.
Yes, if your policy includes (Other Than Collision) coverage. The coverage may pay for windshield replacement after your deductible. If the damage happened during a car accident, collision coverage may apply instead. Liability-only policies generally do not cover windshield damage to your own vehicle.
Yes. At Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, non-collision glass breakage may be covered under Other Than Collision Coverage after the applicable deductible. If the windshield can be repaired rather than replaced, the deductible may be waived (subject to certain limitations). If the glass broke in a covered accident, it may be covered under collision coverage.
Both are generally covered under /Other Than Collision coverage, but the cost to you can differ. At Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, chip repairs are often deductible-free (subject to certain limitations) because they're repairable. Full replacements require you to pay your deductible, with insurance covering the remainder of a covered loss.
A chip repair in Indiana could cost $80-$150 or more. A full windshield replacement ranges from about $280 to over $1,000 or more, depending on the vehicle's make, model, and whether it has ADAS features that require recalibration.
Pull over safely and inspect the damage. Take photos. Don't try to pick at the crack or apply tape over it, this may make repair more difficult. File a claim with your insurer before scheduling a repair and get a professional assessment of whether the damage is repairable or needs full replacement.
A single comprehensive glass claim typically won't increase your premium. Insurers generally treat windshield claims differently from at-fault accident claims because the damage is usually well outside of your control. Multiple claims in a short period could affect your rate at renewal. Read more in our guide: Does a windshield claim raise car insurance rates in Indiana?
In most cases, yes. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) glass is the same type originally installed in your vehicle. Non-OEM glass is often less expensive and most still meet or exceed OEM safety standards. If your vehicle has ADAS features, using OEM glass and certified installation is worth prioritizing to help ensure proper sensor calibration. Discuss options with your glass shop and your insurer.
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