In Florida, a new insurance law now covers windshield repairs for drivers. This law was put into place to ensure that drivers get important windshield replacements so they are not driving with unsafe cracked or otherwise damaged windshields that may cause accidents. If you are a Florida driver with the appropriate insurance coverage, not only will the insurance company cover the cost of your windshield repair, but you won’t even have to pay a deductible.
How Do Windshield Repairs Work Under Insurance in Florida?
Whether your insurance will cover a windshield repair and how much it will cost will depend on what caused the damage and what type of insurance coverage you have.
Under Florida’s insurance laws, a windshield repair not caused by a collision under a combined additional coverage policy or comprehensive policy claim will not only be free but will also not be subject to a policy claim deductible. However, windshield repairs caused by a collision are covered by a driver’s collision policy and are still subject to policy deductibles.
How Insurance Works in Florida
In Florida, every registered car owner is required by law to have personal injury protection coverage in Boca Raton, FL, and property damage liability coverage. A driver is required to have a minimum of $10,000 in both personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and property damage liability.
Under Florida’s no-fault insurance laws, each registered driver is responsible for their own personal injury benefits, regardless of who is at fault in an accident. After a car accident in Boca Raton, FL, if a driver has sustained injuries, they will first look to their own PIP insurance policy to cover the costs of their injuries. If there is damage to the driver’s car, the at-fault driver’s insurance will pay for those repairs under their property damage liability policy.
Other Coverages That a Driver May Choose to Have
Because Florida only requires a minimum of insurance, many car owners choose to buy additional insurance coverage for their car including collision, comprehensive, and combined additional coverage.
Collision insurance pays for the cost to repair their car after an accident that is not covered by another driver’s insurance. In cases of automobile damages not sustained in an accident, the car owner will need CAC or comprehensive insurance coverage to cover any repairs to their car.
- CAC coverage will pay for repairs to a vehicle that were caused by anything other than a collision, theft, or fire.
- Comprehensive covers damages to a vehicle not caused by a collision.
These both cover any damage that may have resulted from a weather occurrence. Florida’s insurance laws entitle a car owner with CAC or comprehensive coverage to get windshield repairs for damages sustained in a windstorm or other weather occurrence for free without paying the deductible. A windshield repair under a collision policy is still subject to a deductible.
Why Getting Your Windshield Repaired is Important
A windshield system is specifically designed to ensure passenger safety. A weakened windshield provides less structural protection and also decreases critical driver visibility.
A car’s windshield system is vital to its structure, providing approximately 60 percent of its stability in a rollover and 45 percent in a front-end collision. A crack or chip in a car’s windshield not only affects the strength of the glass in the windshield but can also affect the structural integrity of the car. Even a minor accident with a cracked windshield can result in shattering, crushing, and serious injuries to anyone inside. Consequently, driving with windshield damage can potentially result in serious accidents resulting in severe personal injuries.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident in Florida involving a damaged windshield, you should get the assistance of a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and options. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our team of Florida personal injury lawyers will provide a thorough investigation of the accident to ensure that the at-fault party is held accountable for your damages. Call us at (561) 562-4170 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible claim.
