Florida law mandates that your insurance provider is required to cover the costs associated with repairing or replacing your windshield, subject to certain criteria – for instance your vehicle must have comprehensive coverage and cracks or chips cannot exceed one inch in size.
https://www.autoglassindallas.com/does-florida-waive-deductible-for-windshield-replacement
One loophole in California's auto glass laws is being exploited by untrustworthy glass vendors and lawyers; legislation introduced this week seeks to curtail excessive litigation.
Comprehensive Coverage
Florida is one of the only states offering free windshield repair to drivers with comprehensive auto insurance policies. You can quickly check if this coverage exists by reviewing the declarations page of your policy.
Cracked windshields pose a safety risk for drivers, potentially leading to accidents. An obscured view may even result in traffic violations as it's illegal to operate vehicles with hazards to their front.
Florida law makes auto glass claims available free to drivers regardless of their comprehensive deductible, making us easy to take advantage of. Simply book online and we'll handle the insurance paperwork – that simple. However, Florida's statute may soon change: two bills being considered by state lawmakers (HB 541 and SB 1002) would prohibit windshield replacement shops from offering inducements to assign their insurance claim for auto glass repair or replacement to them.
No Out-of-Pocket Amounts
Many Florida drivers find their windshields damaged from various causes. Debris from vehicles in front of you might fly into it, or an uprooted tree branch might hit it during one of Florida's frequent tropical storms – these incidents could all be covered under comprehensive car insurance policies without incurring out-of-pocket expenses.
WalletHub notes that comprehensive coverage protects vehicles against damage incurred from incidents other than collision with another driver or object, such as fallen tree limbs or wind damage caused by similar events. Insured claims could include anything from fallen limbs to wind damage from such events.
Comprehensive car insurance provides many advantages, with just your deductible amount (usually very modest) being the payment due. Carrying such coverage on your policy makes good financial sense and gives your insurer peace of mind that everything has been properly taken care of.
No Perks
Florida law forbids driving your vehicle with a cracked windshield. Front and side windshields must be free from chips or cracks, while windshield wipers must function effectively; additionally, Florida state law mandates that both the driver's seat and rear window must function fully as per this state regulation.
Two bills that could significantly reshape auto glass shops across California have taken another step toward becoming law. The bipartisan tort reform bills would end the practice of "assignment of benefits" auto-glass claims have witnessed litigation skyrocket from just a handful in 2011 to over 37,000 last year.
Supporters such as the Fix the Cracks coalition of property insurance carriers and anti-fraud groups claim AOB laws have incentivised law firms to file litigation in order to collect large attorney fees, while restricting shops from offering incentives like perks to policyholders – provisions expected to be approved within weeks.
Windshield Replacement
Florida's roads see heavy use, exposing cars to wear and tear damage that often manifests itself through cracked windshields – one of the more hazardous forms of car damage that drivers must contend with on daily basis.
Florida law has made a rare provision in auto insurance policies: your insurer cannot charge a deductible when it comes to windshield repair or replacement if you carry comprehensive coverage. This helps drivers avoid getting pulled over or involved in accidents due to obstruction.
Law also prevents glass repair shops and replacement services from offering additional perks for customers who file an insurance claim, helping counter a controversial practice known as assignment of benefits where repairers sue insurers over denied claims. Although currently limited to accidents or covered incidents, such legislation may eventually encompass recalibration of ADAS features on vehicles as well.
