Does Insurance Cover Windshield Replacement in 2026?

One day you walk out and get in your car and there it is. A fissure that is running across your windshield that certainly was not there yesterday. The initial impression you might develop is hardly a nice one. The second thing you think (unless stupid) is that you ask yourself “whether your insurance covers windshield replacement?”.

The good news? For most Ontario drivers in 2026 — yes, it very likely does.

However, as most things in the insurance industry, the details do count. At Famous Auto Glass, drivers in East York, Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville and all over the GTA have to navigate through windshield insurance claims on a daily basis. And here we are to take it down for you in plain-plain English–no insurance lingo, no fine print.

Let’s get into it.

Which Kind of Insurance Do You Think Covers Windshield Replacement?

Replacement of windshield is included in the comprehensive auto insurance, but not collision insurance.

The difference is as follows:

Collision insurance is the insurance that covers the damage caused to your car when it collides with another car or object- such as in a car crash or parking lot crash.

Comprehensive insurance is one that covers the damage caused by things beyond your control such as gravel hitting your windshield on the highway, a hailstorm, a fallen branch of a tree, extreme changes of temperatures or vandalism.

Most windshield damage falls into the first category (outside your control) in which case it is almost always covered under comprehensive insurance.

The key question is: do you have comprehensive coverage?

Should you be financing or leasing your vehicle, then comprehensive coverage is most probably mandatory by your lender – so you probably have it. When you are the owner of your own vehicle and do not have any comprehensive coverage on it, you may have decided to go without comprehensive coverage on your vehicle to save on your premiums. To be sure, the only way is to look at your policy documents or to call your insurance broker.

And when you are not sure we will help you do it, just call us at 647-513-0423.

Will a Windshield Claim Impact My Insurance Rate?

This is the top-ranking question that prevents Ontario drivers from filing a windshield claim – and we totally understand why. No one would wish to see his monthly premium increase because of such a common occurrence as a broken windshield.

And the fact is as follows: in Ontario, a windshield replacement claim under comprehensive insurance is generally viewed as a not at fault claim. This implies that it does not essentially go on your driving record and does not lead to an increase in your insurance rate.

Naturally, all policies are a bit different. We never fail to advise you to first check with your own broker, just to be thoroughly sure. However in the overwhelming majority of cases, Ontario drivers are literally shocked to learn that a windshield claim affects their premium not at all.

It is among the least painful insurance claims that you will ever engage in.

What Is a Deductible and How Much Will I Pay?

A deductible is the amount of the cost of repair or replacement that you are prepared to pay before your insurance comes into effect.

An example is as follows – suppose your deductible is 200 and your windshield replacement costs are 500, you will pay 200 and your insurance company will pay the remaining 300.

However, this is where the Ontario driver really gets to be interested in 2026:

A lot of insurance plans have a second, lower glass deductible. This does not come with your usual full deductible and is only offered on glass claims. There are glass deductibles of as little as $0 – meaning you pay not the smallest amount of money to get your windshield replaced.

Other policies have an absolutely waived glass deductible – that is, the insurer will cover 100% of the cost with you incurring no out-of-pocket expense.

The following is a basic breakdown of what you could pay:

Situation What You Pay

No comprehensive overview Full cost out of pocket

Comprehensive with high deductible Your deductible amount

Comprehensive with low glass deductible As little as $0 — $100

Comprehensive with waived glass deductible Nothing – fully covered

The bottom line: be sure to look at your policy regarding your particular glass deductible. You will be quite surprised.

Am I Free to Select my own Auto Glass shop?

Yes – and this is what all Ontario drivers should know.

According to Ontario insurance laws, you are legally allowed to select your personal auto glass company. Your insurance company can not compel you to go to their favorite vendor or a selected shop on their network.

So what is the big deal? Since the shop which is recommended by your insurer might not necessarily be able to offer the best quality, the most convenient service or the best warranty. You have the right to choose to do that by yourself.

In Famous Auto Glass we deal directly with all the big insurance firms in Ontario. We do all the claims work on your behalf – the verification, the paperwork, the back and forth with your insurer, all of which you never need to concern yourself with ever again.

You take up the phone. Everything is done by us.

What Windshield Damage Does Insurance Cover?

In general terms, comprehensive insurance covers windshield damage which is brought about by:

Road debris – Gravel, rocks and debris thrown up by vehicles on the highway is the most prevalent cause of windshield chips and cracks throughout the GTA. Completely covered by comprehensive.

Weather damage – Your windshield may be cracked or chipped by weather damage like hailstorms, extreme cold, ice, and extreme changes in temperature which are all too familiar to Ontario drivers. Covered under comprehensive.

Falling objects – Tree branches, ice falling off an overpass, or any other object that falls and hits your windshield. Covered under comprehensive.

Vandalism – When somebody goes out of his/her way to break your windshield. Covered under comprehensive.

Animal strikes – Animal strikes are a bird or an animal hitting your windshield. Covered under comprehensive.

What is NOT covered: The damage to the windshield as a direct result of a collision with another vehicle or object falls under the collision coverage – with its own separate deductible.

What will your insurance company cover, Repair or Replacement?

In 2026, the majority of Ontario insurance companies will cover both a windshield repair and a full replacement; however, they prefer to repair your windshield if the damage can be repaired.

Why? Very simply, repairing your windshield costs considerably less than replacing it; in fact, many insurance companies will provide full windshield repairs with no deductible to you.

Here is a quick reference guide to your options:

Windshield repair: Short cracks and small chips can usually be repaired without any issue. Most of the time, these repairs will be covered under your insurance and usually come with no deductible.

Windshield replacement: This will include any long cracks, edge damages, numerous chips, or damages in the direct line of vision for the driver and will be complete under your insurance with the application of your applicable glass deductible.

Read our new blog to get full information of windshield replacement vs repair.

You will receive a complete assessment from Famous Auto Glass as to whether your windshield can be safely repaired. If it can be repaired and make us more money to repair it, we will still let you know that, as your comfort and desire for freedom remain important to us.

How Does the Insurance Claims Process Work at Famous Auto Glass?

The way we handle insurance claims has been set up to be as easy and hassle-free as possible. Here is how it works:

Step 1 — Contact Us or Access Our Website to Get a FREE Quote Call us at 647-513-0423 or check out our website: famousautoglass.ca for a free quote. Provide us with the details of your damage and your intent to submit an insurance claim.

Step 2 — Confirm Your Insurance With Your Insurer We will contact your insurance company to verify your coverage, confirm your deductible amount with them and get approval for your claim from them on behalf of you without you needing to call them at all.

Step 3 — Schedule Your Appointment Once approved we will arrange a date and time and location convenient for you to replace your windshield. We provide same-day mobile windshield replacement appointments anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area. We can come to either your home, your work or wherever your vehicle is parked to perform this service.

Step 4 — Replace Your Windshield Our certified technician will arrive with all the necessary equipment and supplies required to replace your windshield using original equipment manufacture (OEM) quality materials and professional-grade adhesives. There will also be a lifetime warranty for the work done and any materials used to make this repair.

Step 5 — Direct Bill to Insurance We will send the invoice directly to the insurance company upon completion of the repair. You only pay your deductible, if applicable. No paperwork, no hassle and no stress!

Quick Tips Before You Make a Windshield Insurance Claim

Check your insurance coverages first. Before calling, ensure that you have signed up for comprehensive and what the glass deductible is — this will help you avoid surprises and save time.

Act now. A little chip can quickly turn into a full crack — especially with the winter months in Ontario. The sooner you take action, the better chance you have of being able to have it repaired instead of replaced with a new windshield.

Pick your own shop. You’re not required to use your insurance company’s preferred company. Choose a local company you trust, that uses quality glass, and that has a warranty on their work.

Have your policy number handy. When you call, having your policy number will speed up your verification time.

Ask for your deductible up-front. We will always provide you with the full amount you are required to pay before we begin work, so there are no surprises later.

Famous Auto Glass – Your Insurance Experts for Windshield Replacement

At Famous Auto Glass, we process countless windshield insurance claims for drivers in the GTA every day. We know the entire process, and we will make it as easy for you as possible.

Same-day mobile service. Insurance handled directly. Lifetime warranty on all work.