Florida residents with comprehensive coverage can get their broken windshield repaired without paying a deductible, although certain insurers may impose one for auto glass repair or replacement services.
https://www.autoglassindallas.com/does-florida-waive-deductible-for-windshield-replacement
New legislation could rein in glass vendors and attorneys that have filed thousands of unwarranted auto glass lawsuits over recent years.
1. Windshields must be clear
Florida law on windshields precludes car insurers from charging deductibles for repairs or replacement of broken auto glass, provided you have comprehensive coverage. This provides an effective means of safeguarding your windshield against damage incurred from external sources other than accidents.
Windshields may become damaged for several reasons, including debris from the road or another vehicle, hail, or tree branches. Furthermore, vandalism or weather can damage windshields.
This legislation seeks to minimize excess litigation surrounding automobile windshield repair and replacement claims in Florida, particularly those filed by AOB plaintiffs. Specifically, the law forbids shops from offering incentives to customers who file windshield claims while insurers or claims handlers must provide multiple shop options without preference towards any one chain or company; this will help thwart unscrupulous attorneys from exploiting the AOB process for financial gain.
2. Windshields must be free of coverings
Cracked or shattered windshields can be hazardous when driving and may obscure your view of the road, damaging your car and leading to costly repairs down the line. Luckily, Florida offers free comprehensive coverage insurance on vehicles so any cracked or shattered windshield replacement can be accomplished easily and cost effectively.
Insurance against acts of nature like hurricanes, tornadoes and falling tree branches as well as vandalism and theft is available from minimum-requirement policies or you can add them onto an existing car policy. To gain this coverage you can either purchase one with these features included, or add them as an add-on.
A recent lawsuit between auto glass shops and attorneys illustrates flaws in Florida's current law regarding assignment of benefits (AOB). To address these problems, Florida Senate is considering legislation which would prevent repairers from offering extra incentives to customers; as well as allow insurers to sell policies without AOB coverage while eliminating shops' threats of litigation against insurers to force them into using their services.
3. Windshields must have functioning wipers
Windshield damage can arise for any number of reasons, from an aggressive truck driving ahead of you on the road throwing debris at it to sudden Florida thunderstorms causing hail damage to your car. No matter how it happened, once it happens it must be properly repaired or replaced so as not to impede your view while driving.
If your windshield has been damaged, there's good news if Florida is one of a few states with laws allowing insurance companies to waive your deductible for repairs or replacements covered under comprehensive coverage, which typically covers damages caused by weather, vandalism, or theft.
Florida lawmakers are currently discussing legislation that would address this problem, with Senate Bill 1002 and House Bill 541 making progress after being approved by committees this week.
4. Windshields must be free of signs
Florida law permits drivers who experience windshield damage requiring replacement to do so without incurring their insurance deductible payment, provided their auto policy includes comprehensive coverage. Therefore, having full coverage on your car in Florida is imperative.
Legislators in Florida passed legislation designed to curb abuse of auto glass replacement processes, making it illegal for repair shops to offer perks such as cash or gift cards in exchange for insurance claims business. Furthermore, assignment benefits contracts were abolished for windshield repairs while one-way attorney fees were significantly restricted – changes which should help Florida reduce the 37,000 windshield lawsuits it saw last year alone. Fix the Cracks Coalition celebrated the passage of this bill this session as one more progressive property insurance reform.