Florida Windshield Insurance in 2026: What Changed, What Didn't, and How to Use It
Published May 20, 2026 · Updated May 28, 2026 · 7 min read
For 20 years, Florida was the easiest state in America to get a free windshield. Comprehensive coverage on your auto policy meant zero deductible on glass — a state-mandated benefit. In 2023, the legislature changed that. This guide walks through what actually changed, what didn't, and exactly how to file a claim today.
What changed in 2023
Senate Bill 7052, signed in May 2023, eliminated the state's zero-deductible requirement for windshield repairs. Insurance companies can now apply your normal comprehensive deductible to a glass claim. The change was part of a broader effort by the legislature to reduce litigation around staged windshield-replacement schemes. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation publishes current bulletins as carriers adjust their policy language.
What didn't change
Several things are still true, and they matter:
- Comprehensive still covers glass. If your policy includes comprehensive (most do), glass damage is a covered peril.
- You still choose your shop. Florida statute prohibits insurance steering. Your insurer can suggest a network provider; they can't require one. Your rates and coverage are unaffected by your choice.
- Repairs are still almost always free. Even with the deductible change, most carriers continue to waive the deductible on chip repairs because the cost is lower than the deductible itself.
- ADAS calibration is covered. If your policy covers a windshield replacement, it covers the calibration that the manufacturer requires after the replacement.
How to file a windshield claim in Florida — step by step
- Document the damage. Phone photos of the chip or crack, the inside and outside, and a wide shot of the car. Note the date.
- Choose your shop first. Filing the claim through your shop is faster than calling your insurer first — we have direct billing relationships with State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Citizens, and most regional carriers.
- Confirm your deductible. Pull up your declarations page or call your agent. For comprehensive, common Florida deductibles are $0, $250, $500, and $1,000. We'll tell you up front what the out-of-pocket will be.
- Approve the work. We file the claim, get the carrier's approval, and schedule the install — typically same-day or next-day.
- Pay only your deductible. We bill the carrier directly for the rest. You sign nothing that authorizes additional charges.
The "free windshield" sales scripts to ignore
If you've gotten a robocall in the last year offering a "free Florida windshield," the script is out of date. The companies running those calls are betting customers don't know about the 2023 change, then either (a) bait-and-switch on calibration cost, or (b) install the lowest-grade aftermarket glass to keep the spread profitable. The Orlando Sentinel covered the scheme extensively during the legislative debate.
A legitimate Orlando shop will tell you the all-in price including calibration before you book, regardless of what your insurance is paying.
What if my car isn't insured for comprehensive?
Then you're paying out of pocket — which is how most Florida drivers handle chip repair and side-glass work anyway, because those costs are usually under the deductible. We accept cards, ACH, and Affirm financing for larger jobs. Cash-pay customers get the same OEM-spec glass and warranty as insurance jobs.
Special cases
- Rideshare drivers (Uber/Lyft). Your personal policy may exclude glass damage that happens while the rideshare app is on. We work with rideshare-specific carriers (Allstate Ride for Hire, Progressive rideshare endorsement) and can verify coverage before scheduling.
- Leased vehicles. Most lease contracts require OEM glass and manufacturer-spec ADAS calibration. We'll quote and document accordingly so your lease-end inspection is clean.
- Commercial fleets. Direct billing to fleet insurers and net-30 terms available — call our concierge for setup.
Related reading
- Windshield replacement in Orlando: full guide
- Why chip repair is still almost always free
- Why calibration is covered when replacement is
References & further reading
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation — Current Florida auto insurance bulletins and rules.
- Florida CFO — Division of Consumer Services — Consumer guidance on auto-insurance claims.
- Florida Senate — SB 7052 (2023) — The bill that ended Florida's zero-deductible windshield rule.
- Orlando Sentinel — Insurance reform coverage — Local reporting on the 2023 changes.
- Florida Trend — Insurance industry analysis — Statewide business coverage of Florida insurance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is windshield repair still free in Florida in 2026?
- Chip repair almost always is — the cost is lower than most deductibles, so carriers waive it. Full windshield replacement now usually applies your normal comprehensive deductible, due to the 2023 reform (SB 7052).
- Can my insurance company force me to use a specific shop?
- No. Florida law prohibits insurance steering. Your insurer can suggest a network provider, but you have the right to choose any licensed auto-glass shop. Your rates and coverage are not affected by the choice.
- Does insurance cover ADAS calibration?
- Yes — if your policy covers the windshield replacement, it covers the calibration the manufacturer requires afterward. A reputable shop will quote the calibration as part of the replacement, not as a separate surprise charge.
- How do I file a windshield claim through your shop?
- Call us with your insurance card. We have direct billing with State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Citizens, and most regional carriers. We file the claim, get approval, and you only pay your deductible at completion.
- I got a robocall about a 'free Florida windshield' — is it real?
- Be cautious. Those scripts are usually out of date or set up to bait-and-switch on calibration costs. A legitimate shop will quote the all-in price up front, including any deductible and calibration, before you book.
