Does insurance cover back glass and side windows?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
Yes — comprehensive coverage applies to all vehicle glass, including back glass and side windows, subject to your deductible. Door glass runs $180 to $400 and back glass $200 to $500+ out of pocket. A windshield-only waiver on some policies may not extend to the other glass, so check the declarations page.
Does insurance cover a broken back window?
Comprehensive coverage applies to all the glass on the vehicle, not just the windshield. A broken back window, a shattered door, or a cracked quarter glass are all comprehensive losses, handled the same way as a windshield claim: coverage is confirmed, the claim is opened, and the shop bills the insurer directly. Your share is the deductible the policy assigns.
One detail to check is whether the policy carries a windshield-only waiver. Some policies waive the deductible for windshield glass specifically, and that waiver may not extend to back glass or side windows. The declarations page shows which glass the waiver covers, so the out-of-pocket share on a door or back glass can differ from what you would owe on a windshield.
The type of glass also affects the work, though not the coverage. Door glass and back glass are tempered — they shatter into small pieces rather than cracking — so a break means a full pane replacement, not a resin repair. Back glass often carries the defroster grid and a radio antenna, which adds labor but does not change that the loss is a comprehensive one.
Does car insurance cover side window replacement?
| Glass | Covered under | Typical out-of-pocket range |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Comprehensive | $200 to $500+, often with a waived deductible on some policies |
| Door glass (side window) | Comprehensive | $180 to $400, subject to the deductible |
| Back glass (rear window) | Comprehensive | $200 to $500+, subject to the deductible |
| Sunroof or moonroof glass | Comprehensive | Replaced rather than repaired, subject to the deductible |
A windshield-only waiver on some policies may not extend to the other glass — check the declarations page.
Does glass coverage include the sunroof?
- Comprehensive covers sunroof and moonroof glass the same as any other pane.
- A cracked sunroof panel is replaced rather than repaired, since roof glass does not take resin.
- Most sunroof leaks come from clogged drain tubes, not the glass — a maintenance matter, not a claim.
- A windshield-only deductible waiver may not apply to sunroof glass, so confirm on the declarations page.
More questions about side and back glass coverage
Does car insurance cover side window replacement?
Yes, under comprehensive coverage, subject to your deductible. Door glass runs $180 to $400 out of pocket, and a windshield-only waiver on the policy may not extend to side glass.
Does insurance cover a broken back window?
Yes — back glass is a comprehensive loss, subject to the deductible, at $200 to $500+ out of pocket. The claim is handled the same way as a windshield: coverage confirmed, insurer billed directly.
Does glass coverage include the sunroof?
Comprehensive covers sunroof glass, but a windshield-only waiver may not extend to it. A cracked sunroof panel is replaced rather than repaired, and most sunroof leaks are clogged drains — a maintenance matter, not a claim.
Related guides
More in Insurance and claims
- Does a windshield chip repair count as an insurance claim?
- What happens if you chip the windshield on a rental car?
- Is it worth paying cash for a windshield instead of filing a claim?
- Does insurance cover windshield replacement?
- Does liability insurance cover windshield damage?
- What is full glass coverage?
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