If you have done any interstate driving then you know how easy it is to get that dreaded little star crack on your windshield. Usually, that star then proceeds to turn into a full blown crack spanning the entire length of your windshield. I know it has happened to just about every vehicle I have ever owned. Luckily, for FL, KY, MA and SC residents replacing that windshield does not need to be a burden on your finances. Why? Simple, legislators in these states decided that if you have comprehensive coverage on your car, truck or SUV then your insurance must pay to replace it. So how is that any different than any other state? The answer is, your car insurance company cannot apply your deductible to this type of claim! It does not matter how that star crack got there, your insurance is still obligated to pay for it with 0 deductible applied. Here are some of my experiences with Florida and Kentucky windshield laws.
A couple of years ago while living in Florida with my parents, my father sent me to run an errand for him one late night. It was something that I did not want to do so I got upset , hopped in his car and proceeded to punch the windshield! My fist didn't go through it like a Steve Segal punch or anything but to my horror, it made a huge crack in it. I had no idea these things were so fragile because I really didn't punch it all that hard, I mean my hand didn't hurt or anything. Anyhow, I finished his errand, parked the car, went inside the house and didn't say a word about it. The next day, he asked, what had occurred to his windshield? I shrugged my shoulders and said "I have no idea", I didn't feel good about it but didn't want him to go off either. Anyhow, he went to work and called our insurance company. They told him not to worry about it and that they would get it taken care of. He had a mobile windshield installer there within a few hours. They replaced the windshield without having to pay a dime. The insurance company wasn't concerned with what happened, they just got it replaced.
I have since moved to Tennessee and my wife's family lives in KY. Last year, my wife's sister was driving her Honda CRV and all of a sudden her rear view mirror decided to remove itself from the windshield. Sometimes, that is no big deal. You simply buy some special cement and put it back on. In her case, the rear view took a large chunk out of her windshield. She probably had no more than a couple of millimeters worth of glass left where the mirror fell off. She drove around like that for a while because she was not aware of the windshield law in KY. I told her she should get that replaced asap because that could be dangerous. So she called her insurance and found out about the windshield law. They had a glass repair person out within a few hrs and again had her windshield replaced at no cost to her.
So if you live in KY, MA, FL or SC, there is no reason you should be motoring around with a star cracked windshield when getting it replaced is a phone call away. Your insurance will either arrange the replacement or will ask you to get some quotes from a regional windshield dealer. Remember, driving with a cracked windshield is a safety hazard. A cracked windshield is extremely weak. The star crack can also obstruct your view. If that is not motivation enough to get it replaced, then the potential to get a ticket should. Most states have some sort of ordinance that prohibits cracks, chips, or star cracks beyond a certain size. So even if you don't live in a 0 deductible state, then it is a good idea to have that windshield replaced.
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