What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Reviewed by the Skyview Auto Glass technical team — NWRD-, ASE- and DINITROL-trained technicians · Updated November 2026
Quick answer
Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your vehicle not caused by a collision: road debris, hail, falling objects, vandalism, theft, animal strikes, fire, and flood. It is the coverage that pays for a cracked windshield or broken car window. It does not cover collision damage, wear, or mechanical failure. Glass claims are subject to your deductible.
What does comprehensive car insurance cover
- Road debris and rock chips that crack or chip the windshield.
- Hail that pits or cracks the windshield and other glass.
- Falling objects such as tree limbs or ice dropping onto the glass.
- Vandalism and theft, including a side window smashed in a break-in.
- Animal strikes, such as a deer or bird hitting the vehicle.
- Fire, flood, and other non-collision weather events.
What is not covered by comprehensive
Comprehensive pays for sudden, non-collision damage. It does not cover everything, and the line between it and other coverages matters when glass breaks.
| Cause of damage | Covered by comprehensive? | What usually applies |
|---|---|---|
| Rock chip or cracked windshield | Yes | Comprehensive, subject to your deductible |
| Hail, falling limb, vandalism | Yes | Comprehensive, subject to your deductible |
| Glass broken in a crash | No | Handled within the collision claim |
| Worn seals, a leaking windshield | Generally no | Wear or workmanship, not a covered loss |
| Mechanical or electrical failure | No | Not a comprehensive loss |
Coverage depends on your policy, so confirm what applies with your insurer or agent.
A chip repair often has the deductible waived
Many insurers waive the comprehensive deductible for a chip repair because it costs less than a full replacement. Chip repair runs $75 to $150, while a windshield replacement runs $200 to $500+. Whether the waiver applies depends on your policy, so ask your insurer. If the repair costs less than your deductible, paying yourself usually costs less. Door glass runs $180 to $400 and back glass runs $200 to $500+, so the same comparison applies to any pane of glass on the vehicle.
More questions about what comprehensive covers
Does comprehensive cover glass?
Yes. A cracked windshield, a hail-hit roof, and a side window broken in a break-in are all comprehensive claims, subject to your deductible. The deductible is often waived for a chip repair by many insurers. Verify the specifics with your insurer.
What is not covered by comprehensive insurance?
Collision damage, wear such as a worn seal, and mechanical or electrical failure are not comprehensive losses. Glass that breaks in a crash is usually handled within the collision claim. What your policy covers sets what applies, so check with your insurer.
Does comprehensive cover a cracked windshield?
Yes, when the crack comes from a covered cause such as road debris, hail, or a falling object. The claim is subject to your comprehensive deductible. If the repair costs less than the deductible, paying yourself usually costs less.
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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