Arizona law requires every auto insurer in the state to offer zero-deductible windshield coverage. That means your replacement can cost you nothing out of pocket. But the coverage is not automatic. You have to elect it on your policy, and a lot of Arizona drivers have no idea that step exists.
The law is ARS 20-264, and it has been on the books for decades. A companion statute, ARS 20-263, prevents insurers from raising your rate for losses you did not cause, which includes glass damage from rock chips. Together, they make Arizona one of the best states in the country for windshield coverage. Here is how the law works, what it covers, and how to make sure you are not paying for a replacement you could get for free.
What ARS 20-264 Actually Says
The statute requires every insurance company writing private passenger auto insurance in Arizona to offer “complete coverage for the repair or replacement of all damaged safety equipment without regard to any deductible.” Safety equipment includes windshield glass, door and window glass, and all vehicle lights. The key word is “offer.” Your insurer has to make this coverage available to you, but you have to choose it when you set up or renew your policy.
If you elected the zero-deductible glass option, your windshield replacement costs you $0. Our team handles the insurance claim directly, so you do not deal with paperwork or phone calls. We file the claim, schedule the install, and show up at your location in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, or anywhere in the East Valley.
Why Most Mesa Drivers Think Replacement Is Free (and Then Get a Bill)
We hear this at least once a week. A customer calls expecting a free replacement because they heard Arizona has a “free windshield law.” Then they find out their policy has a $250 or $500 deductible on glass because they never added the zero-deductible option.
The Confusion
People hear “Arizona gives you a free windshield” and assume the state pays for it or that the coverage comes standard. Neither is true. The law forces insurers to offer the option, but if you did not check the box when you bought your policy, you are on the hook for your deductible.
How to Check Your Coverage
Pull up your auto insurance declarations page. Look for “comprehensive” coverage. If you have comprehensive, check whether there is a glass deductible listed. If it says $0, you are covered. If it shows $100, $250, or $500, you have not added the zero-deductible glass option. Call your agent and ask to add it. Most insurers add it for a few dollars per month, and the savings on a single replacement more than covers the annual premium increase.
What the Zero-Deductible Option Covers
The coverage applies to all auto glass on your vehicle, not just the windshield.
- Windshield replacement: The most common claim. Average out-of-pocket cost without insurance runs $250 to $400 for a standard sedan and $400 to $800 for trucks, SUVs, and vehicles with rain sensors or ADAS cameras.
- Windshield chip repair: A $0 repair that takes about 20 minutes and prevents a full replacement down the road.
- Side and rear windows: Tempered glass replacements on doors and back windows are also covered under comprehensive with the glass option.
According to National Insurance Crime Bureau data covering 2015-2019, Arizona accounted for roughly 10% of all U.S. auto glass claims despite making up only about 2% of the U.S. population. The combination of highway construction, desert conditions, and 181 days per year above 90 degrees means windshields take a beating here.
Will Adding This Coverage Raise My Insurance Rates?
Adding the zero-deductible glass option typically costs about $6 to $7 per month. One ABC15 investigation found that Geico charged roughly $40 for a 6-month policy addition. Filing a glass claim under this coverage will not raise your rates. ARS 20-263 prohibits Arizona insurers from raising your premium because of a loss you did not cause. The statute is broader than glass, but a rock chip from highway debris is not your fault, so a single comprehensive glass claim does not, by itself, raise your rate. This is different from collision claims, which can affect your premium at renewal.
Think about the math. You pay an extra $30 to $60 per year for the coverage. A single windshield replacement without insurance costs $250 to $800. One claim and the coverage has already paid for itself multiple times over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is windshield replacement really free in Arizona?
It can be, if you elected the zero-deductible comprehensive glass option on your auto insurance policy. Arizona law (ARS 20-264) requires insurers to offer this coverage, but you have to choose it. If you did, your replacement costs $0. If you did not, you will pay your standard deductible.
How do I know if I have zero-deductible glass coverage?
Check your insurance declarations page under “comprehensive” coverage. If the glass deductible shows $0, you are covered. If it shows any dollar amount, call your agent and ask to add the zero-deductible glass option. It typically costs a few dollars per month.
Can I add zero-deductible glass coverage after I already have a crack?
Most insurers require a waiting period after adding the coverage before you can file a claim. The waiting period varies by company but is usually 24 to 72 hours. You cannot add coverage and file a claim the same day for existing damage.
Does the free windshield law apply to all vehicles?
ARS 20-264 applies to all vehicles covered by a comprehensive auto insurance policy in Arizona. This includes sedans, trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles. The law covers both repairs and full replacements on all auto glass, not just the windshield.
Get Your Mesa Windshield Replaced at Zero Cost
We have been replacing windshields across the Phoenix metro since 1997. We are a mobile operation, which means we come to your home, office, or wherever your car is in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, or Scottsdale. We verify your insurance coverage before the appointment, file the claim for you, and handle every step of the process.
If you have a cracked windshield and want to find out if you qualify for a $0 replacement, call us at (480) 855-0123 or request a free quote. We will check your coverage and get you scheduled, usually within a day or two.