A stone hits your glass on the 401, a crack appears, and the first thought is whether insurance will pay. In Canada, windshield damage is treated differently from collision claims and basic liability, and the details matter. This guide focuses on how coverage usually works for Ontario drivers and others in private Canadian markets so you can decide when to claim and when to pay out of pocket.
Does Insurance Cover a Cracked Windshield?
Mandatory auto insurance in Canada focuses on injuries and property damage you cause to others. It does not cover damage to your own windshield. Protection for glass sits inside the optional physical damage portion of a policy, as described in the Government of Canada’s car insurance guidance.1 Here’s a guide:
- Comprehensive insurance covers non collision events such as flying stones, hail, falling ice, branches, vandalism, and break ins. Most windshield claims fall under this section.
- All Perils combines Comprehensive and Collision insurance and protects your glass in both collision and non collision situations.
- Specified Perils pays only for listed events such as fire or theft and often excludes everyday stone strikes. Many cracks caused by road debris do not qualify under this option.
- Collision applies when the windshield breaks in a crash you caused. This part of the policy is usually treated as at fault, while Comprehensive glass claims are not.
These distinctions decide how your claim is classified and how the insurer responds when you bring in a chip or crack.
Examples Of Windshield Damage That Are Usually Covered
With Comprehensive or All Perils in place, many common situations are covered as long as the damage is sudden and accidental:
- A stone or piece of debris that chips, cracks, or shatters the glass
- Weather damage from hail, strong wind, falling ice, or branches
- Windows broken during vandalism or a theft attempt
- Hitting an animal, which most insurers treat as a Comprehensive claim
Normal wear, such as pitting or wiper scratches, is not covered. Faulty installation is excluded as well and is handled through the glass shop’s warranty or its commercial liability policy. If you already see a line forming across the glass, learning how to stop a windshield crack from spreading can buy you time, but leaving a growing crack for months can make a later claim harder to support.
Repair Versus Replacement: Costs And Deductibles
Insurers draw a sharp line between repair and replacement. A small chip or short crack is the ideal case for repair. When it meets the size and location rules, most Canadian insurers pay for the repair with a zero deductible. The shop injects resin, cures it, and bills the insurer. You leave with clear glass and no out-of-pocket cost, and the chip repair is recorded as a low-impact claim.
Once the damage is too long, too deep, or in the driver’s direct line of sight, the windshield has to be replaced. On newer vehicles with forward cameras and sensors mounted to the glass, the job must include careful recalibration so advanced driver assistance systems keep working properly. That extra work pushes the total bill into the thousand-dollar range or higher, which is why you are expected to pay your full Comprehensive deductible unless you have a glass rider that lowers it.
After a new windshield is installed, following sensible post-windshield replacement aftercare tips from your shop helps the adhesive cure properly and protects the long-term performance of the glass.
Does A Windshield Claim Affect Insurance in Ontario?
Here’s your guide on what kinds of situations could possibly affect your insurance:
| Situation | What You Pay Out Of Pocket | What Insurance Usually Does |
| Small chip that can be repaired | Often nothing | Waives the deductible and records a chip repair |
| One full replacement with coverage | Your Comprehensive deductible | Pays the rest for new glass and calibration |
| Several glass claims in a short time | Deductible each time | May raise deductibles or limit future glass coverage |
This structure explains why insurers encourage early cracked windshield repair. A cheap repair now avoids a much larger glass and calibration bill later.
Will Your Insurance Go Up For Windshield Replacement?
Your rate is more likely to rise when you submit several glass claims in a short time. Insurers track frequency because repeated replacements can signal high exposure to road debris or unusual driving conditions. When this happens, your insurer can adjust your Comprehensive deductible or change your glass options at renewal. If the replacement quote is close to your deductible, paying out of pocket might be easier on your long-term costs.
Quick Checklist Before You File A Glass Claim
Before you call your insurer, take a quick look at four things:
- Confirm that your policy includes Comprehensive or All Perils and not only Specified Perils
- Ask the glass shop for a full quote that includes camera calibration if your car has driver assist features
- Compare the quote to your deductible and decide whether the savings justify a claim
- Think about your recent claims history and whether another claim could affect discounts or glass coverage
A short review like this helps you decide whether to claim or treat the work as a one-time expense.
Windshield Insurance FAQs In Canada
Does Windshield Replacement Increase Insurance?
Most replacement claims are processed under Comprehensive. These claims are usually classified as not at fault. The base price often stays the same, but you can lose a claims-free discount if you have one. Losing that discount increases the amount due at renewal, even if the insurer did not raise your underlying rate. The impact is mild when you have only one claim in several years. Insurers mainly watch for patterns rather than isolated events.
Does Insurance Cover Windshield Cracks?
Coverage applies when the crack comes from a sudden event and not from slow deterioration. With Comprehensive or All Perils, most weather-related cracks and stone-related cracks are covered. Cracks that formed after months of untreated chipping may face closer review because they look like extended wear rather than a single event. If you notice a small chip early, handling it quickly helps preserve coverage for future problems.
How Do I Know If My Insurance Covers Windshield Replacement?
Start with your declarations page and check the physical damage section. If you see Comprehensive or All Perils listed, you likely have coverage for common stone and weather damage. If you only see Specified Perils, everyday glass damage is probably not covered.
Next, find the deductible for Comprehensive or All Perils and look for wording about glass options or riders. Some insurers lower the deductible for glass or set it to zero. If you are still not sure, ask your broker or insurer to confirm in writing whether your front glass is covered for chips, cracks, and full replacement.
How To Claim Windshield Repair On Insurance
In many Canadian markets, you can go straight to a shop that is part of your insurer’s preferred glass network. The shop checks that your chip or short crack meets repair criteria, completes the resin repair, and bills the insurer directly. The Comprehensive deductible is typically waived, so you leave with a repaired windshield and no bill.
Are Windshields Covered Under Warranty?
Road damage from rocks, gravel, weather, or vandalism is handled through insurance, so you need Comprehensive or All Perils for that. If a new windshield was installed badly and it leaks or makes noise, that is a workmanship issue. Auto insurance does not pay to correct poor work, so you would return to the shop and rely on its warranty or its commercial liability coverage instead.
Does Insurance Cover Windshield Chip?
If your policy includes Comprehensive or All Perils, the answer is almost always yes, and the repair is usually free for you at the point of service. Insurers treat the chip as the sudden and accidental event and know that leaving it alone often leads to a long crack. Waiting months when free repair was available can be seen as neglect and may give the insurer grounds to deny a later full replacement claim.
When To Talk To A Local Glass Expert
If you are staring at a fresh crack and trying to decide whether to claim or pay out of pocket, it helps to speak with a shop that deals with Ontario insurers every day. A good local technician can explain how your coverage applies, give you a clear quote that includes any required camera calibration, and help you decide on timing. When you are ready to see real numbers and options, you can request an auto glass quote in Oakville and decide on a plan that fits your budget and comfort level before you call your insurer.
References
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. “Car Insurance.” Canada.ca, 16 Oct. 2025, www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/insurance/car.html.
