Chipped or cracked windshields are the number one insurance claim in the U.S. and Arizona. Our climate, the seemingly endless construction, and rocks, gravel, and debris alongside our roadways make Arizona the leading state in the country for windshield repairs. So, if nature, and the vehicle in front of you conspire to damage your windshield, don’t feel all alone.
What do you do if you don’t have comprehensive insurance coverage?
This article will address the updated auto insurance laws in Arizona, detail liability and comprehensive insurance, explain deductibles, and provide affordable solutions to your dilemma if you do not have windshield coverage for car accidents.
Arizona Liability Insurance Requirements
We quote the Arizona Department of Insurance who sets Arizona Auto Insurance Laws- read closely as the requirements have changed, effective July 1, 2020, rather dramatically.
Before you can register a vehicle in Arizona, you must show proof of financial responsibility. This can be in the form of a certificate of insurance, a bond, or certificate of deposit or cash in the amount of $40,000. To show proof of financial responsibility by means of insurance, you must maintain two types of coverage:
“Bodily injury” (which pays for bodily injury to others for which you become legally responsible due to an auto accident in which you were involved), and “Property damage” (which protects you for damage you may cause to the vehicles or property of others). The minimum required coverage limits are:
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury coverage and
- $15,000 per accident for property damage coverage.
The amount of insurance coverage you purchase represents the maximum amount (“limit”) that the insurance company will pay, and you may be required to pay for losses that exceed your coverage limit.
It is also highly encouraged that your auto insurance policy includes Uninsured Motorist (UM) and Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage, at a minimum of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident as approximately one in eight drivers in the state are uninsured.
Note: Both the required Liability Insurance and the UM and UIM levels have been revised upward from the previous $15,000 per person / $30,000 per accident before July 1, 2020.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance – and Deductibles
So, you’ve met the state’s requirements for Liability Insurance; however, Liability Insurance does not cover your vehicle, nor does it cover the cost for windshield repairs or replacement. That requires Comprehensive Insurance, which pays to repair or replace your vehicle if stolen or damaged by things beyond your control, such as vandalism, hail, or hitting an animal. It also covers auto glass and wind shield repair or replacement. Lending institutions typically require comprehensive coverage when you buy a car with a loaner lease a vehicle. You should also know Comprehensive Insurance covers you when driving a loaner, someone else’s car, or a newly acquired vehicle.
You can think of Comprehensive Insurance deductible as the amount you pay before receiving any insurance benefits. For example, with a $500.00 deductible, you pay that amount up front when you file an insurance claim. Your insurance company then pays the rest – up to your coverage limit. Your premiums will be lower with a higher deductible; however, your out-of-pocket expense increases in the event of a claim.
You should also be aware that if you have Phoenix Car Insurance with a comprehensive deductible, you are still eligible for a benefit called the safety glass non-deductible option. Arizona is one of only six states with a free windshield replacement law – full glass coverage must be offered with all Arizona comprehensive insurance policies. With this option, even if your policy has a deductible, the deductible does not apply to windshield claims.
Windshield Replacement Without Using Insurance Coverage
There are two types of people who don’t submit an insurance claim for auto glass repair; those without comprehensive coverage and those with comprehensive who prefer not to submit a claim. Yes, there are reasons why someone with coverage may opt to pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket. If repairs are minor or a replacement is required, but the cost is less than your deductible, you won’t want to submit a claim. If your windshield was damaged in an accident where you are at fault, you might forego a claim to avoid potentially increased premiums.
In either instance, it’s comforting to know that there is an experienced, professional, local company, like SunTec Auto Glass.
What to do If You’re Not Covered?
Since not everyone is covered for auto glass repair, they developed SunTec’s no insurance windshield replacement service. No insurance is not problem as they can repair or replace your windshield with no insurance, quickly, affordably, and they’ll come to you. Their out-of-pocket pay option features the most convenient and aggressive rates in the Phoenix Valley. They accept cash payments and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and guarantee they will match any competitive offer.
Timing is of the Essence When You Don’t Have Windshield Insurance Coverage
Particularly in Arizona, even a tiny windshield chip can expand, crack, and spread if not addressed promptly. Auto glass technicians can often repair a chip or crack, restoring the windshield’s integrity so that the expense of a full replacement is not required. Windshield repair is faster and far less expensive than replacement.
Affordable Windshield Repair or Replacement Without Insurance
At SunTec, and other local Phoenix, AZ, windshield replacement companies, the typical repair without insurance coverage is in the $50 – $100 range. For an entirely new OEM equivalent windshield, your out-of-pocket costs can range from $200 – $500, or more, plus installation costs. Obviously, your price depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and complexity of installation. Studies find that most models fall in the $200- $300 range, with luxury, classics, and exotics being a bit more expensive.
