It’s a simple question and you want a simple answer.
The easy answer is that a new windshield costs “a little over $300.” According to Glass.com’s data, this is the average windshield replacement cost that consumers are responsible for paying.
The Data
The long answer is that new windshield costs can vary anywhere from under $200 all the way up to more than $1,500, and depends on your specific vehicle. Some buses, RVs, or other specialty vehicles can even cost more than $2,000. Windshield replacement costs typically include glass, installation, adhesive and other parts, and cleaning.
Windshield replacement costs will be different from one vehicle to the next, and from one area to another. Glass.com has collected data from the thousands of customers who have booked their windshield replacements through its website with hundreds of companies throughout the United States.
We don’t have data for 2023 yet, but here is a summary of what we found in 2022:
- Windshield replacement cost range: $95-$1,975
- Typical (median) windshield replacement cost: $222-$326
- Average windshield replacement cost: $307
- The most common windshield replacement price: $231
- Historically, prices have risen approximately 4.25% each year. Last year, prices increased nearly three times that amount.
How Much Is a New Windshield?
Rates are Rising
Glass.com accurately predicted that windshield replacement costs for 2022 would rise more than the historical 4.25% and the average cost would be over $300. With rising manufacturing costs, labor costs, and inflation, the average windshield replacement costs increased 16% and the average cost was $307. Looking into 2023, shortages in parts and labor continue, so we again predict higher than average price increases for 2023.
In general, windshield replacements cost the least on older economy cars while replacement costs on new luxury vehicles will be the most. Keep this in mind either when looking to purchase a new vehicle in 2023, or considering the windshield repair costs on your vehicle that is now one year older.
In addition, there is more technology being added to windshields due to ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features becoming more common. Many newer cars on the road have features such as lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and a heads-up display.
Many ADAS features require recalibration after a windshield replacement. This ensures the cameras and sensors will function properly. Any misalignment could cause safety systems, such as automatic braking, to malfunction. The cost to recalibrate starts at around $300, which would double the cost of a replacement.
Car Windshield Replacement Near Me
How much is it to replace a windshield near you?
Car window replacement cost varies across the country. In order to get the best idea of what it will cost in your area, use Glass.com to receive an instant quote from local shops in your area. No contact information is required.
The costs quoted through Glass.com are considered base prices, which do not include upgrade options such as a heads-up display, rain-sensing wipers, and other factors that will increase the average price of a windshield replacement. They also do not account for calibration costs, which some vehicles may require.
Same Day Windshield Replacement
If your windshield is damaged beyond repair, you may be inclined to have it replaced as quickly as possible. Many auto glass shops offer same day services. On average, it takes an hour or less to complete a full replacement, meaning you can wait during the service. Same day service may or may not add additional cost to your replacement depending on the availability and policy of the auto glass shop you choose.
When searching for same day service, be sure that you aren’t sacrificing quality for convenience.
Mobile Windshield Replacement
Many auto glass companies offer mobile windshield repair and replacement, meaning a qualified technician will come to you at work or home to provide services. This is a convenient solution for busy individuals who may not have time to go to an auto glass shop and wait up to an hour while a technician replaces their windshield. If that sounds like you, consider mobile repair and replacement options.
Mobile replacement and repair offer high quality service, meaning you will get the same level of service as if you went into a shop. Replacements can be properly installed and sometimes calibrated during a mobile repair so you don’t need to worry about the quality of work.
Mobile repairs are often comparable in price to going to an auto glass shop. Many shops offer this added benefit free of charge.
Things to Consider When Paying for Your Windshield Out of Pocket
For many, replacing a windshield will cost less than your insurance deductible, meaning you will pay cash. Or you may need to pay for windshield replacement out-of-pocket due to lack of insurance or because you don’t want to make a claim on an existing insurance policy. This can leave you wondering, how do you handle out-of-pocket windshield replacement?
While it may be tempting to shop around for the lowest price and go with that windshield replacement company, this may not be the wisest choice.
The Cheapest Windshield Replacement Option Isn’t Always the Best
Your windshield is an important safety component for your vehicle. As a structural part of your vehicle, it helps to support your car’s roof and can also ensure you aren’t thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash. You need to ask yourself if the cheapest replacement option is also the safest.
The typical cost of a windshield replacement can vary. While the price of the windshield and the cost of supplies are all factored into the cost of your replacement, another big thing to consider is the technician’s expertise and training. Although not always true, the cheapest windshield repair may also be lower quality using cheaper parts, or be installed by a less experienced technician
The Value of Windshield Replacement Training
One way to find an experienced installer is by asking the automotive glass replacement company if they are a member of the Auto Glass Safety Council.
The AGSC provides a standard for auto glass retailers to follow to make sure all precautions are taken to ensure driver and passenger safety. Glass.com®, for example, shows this badge near registered member companies.
Rear Car Windshield Replacement Near Me?
Rear Windshield Replacement
While replacing the front windshield may be most common, sometimes the rear windshield (also called the backlite or back glass) can also be damaged. Like with the front windshield, a car’s rear windshield replacement costs vary based on factors such as the type of vehicle, type of glass, and severity of the damage.
Types of Auto Glass on Your Car
In addition to front and rear windshields, your car has other types of auto glass that may require repair and replacement. Cars also have front and rear door auto glass, vent glass, and quarter panel glass. Any of these types of glass can become damaged and require repair or replacement. The cost will vary depending on the location of the glass and model of vehicle.
Why the Wide Range of Windshield Costs?
Type of Vehicle
When it comes to auto windshield replacement cost, one of the first things every shop you call will ask is, “What’s the make and model of your vehicle?” This will have a big impact on the cost. The main reason for cost differences is quality, features, and availability.
For example, a Honda Civic windshield replacement costs much less than a Mercedes Benz S560. Why? Because the Honda Civic is a basic, small vehicle with few (if any) windshield-related features, and parts are abundant. The Mercedes, on the other hand, is a bit more complex.
Additionally, luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes and Lexus, can require specific windshields that are often only available through the dealer. These can sometimes cost two or three times what glass for non-luxury vehicles costs.
Special Features
Your car’s windshield replacement cost will typically be higher if equipped with optional features. Some vehicles have special moldings that are a part of the windshield. This means the glass will also need those to match the structural design.
Newer vehicles can come with features such as rain sensors and condensation sensors that involve more work to replace. In fact, some cars can have as many as five different sensors and cost several hundreds of dollars to replace. Windshield replacement on an older car without those details will be considerably less.
Current vehicle add-on options that are tied to the windshield can include:
- Heated wiper park
- Rain sensing wipers
- Lane departure warning
- Automatic braking
- Special solar coatings
- Auto-dimming headlamps
- Specialized logos
- Frit/shade screen
- Bullet resistance
- Electrochromic rearview mirror
- Acoustical interlayer
- And more
All of these additional features add additional manufacturing processes, which ultimately add to the cost.
Despite the common belief that “glass is just glass,” (although this may have held some truth in the past) it’s no longer the case with today’s technologically advanced vehicles.
Windshield Quality
There are 2 quality options to choose from when having your windshield replaced:
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Quality:
OEM products meet or exceed the quality requirements set forth by vehicle manufacturers. This means that the replacement windshield installed in your car will be just as good, if not better than the one that your car originally came with from the factory. With OEM parts you can rest assured that it should be a safe windshield that integrates smoothly with your car’s current options and provides all the same features.
Aftermarket Quality:
Aftermarket windshields may or may not meet the quality considerations set forth by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). There is quality control in place by the Department of Transportation (DOT) which has standards for windshields and installation. Windshields must receive a rating of AS1 by the DOT which approves them as safe for use. So although they might not be the same quality, they technically meet these standards.
Because of the possible quality discrepancy, however, some vehicle owners have reported incompatibility issues when it comes to ADAS features such as lane departure warnings, automatic braking, and other autonomous features. Aftermarket windshields are generally cheaper than OEM windshields, so it can be a way to save money if purse strings are tight when you need an unexpected windshield replacement. Just realize that an aftermarket windshield may come with its own cost.
Windshield Manufacturing Costs
Pricing fluctuations affect all major industries including auto glass. There are many factors that determine the cost you’ll pay when it’s time to replace a windshield, sidelites, backlites, quarter, or vent glass.
Glass prices can fluctuate for numerous reasons. Starting with the manufacturing process, this can be caused by:
Labor prices (many trade industries are facing labor shortages)
Machinery costs (for the actual manufacturing of the glass itself)
Real estate costs (buildings and warehouses)
Transportation costs – gas, oil, etc.
Windshield Installation Costs
There are many factors that contribute to the total cost of windshield replacement, including what the manufacturer charges the glass shop and the glass shop’s profit margin on parts and service. The end result is price adjustments to you, the customer.
Where to Begin
If your vehicle needs a windshield replacement, Glass.com can help. You can easily search by zip code for glass companies near you. These local companies will provide you with an instant price quote, so you know upfront what the windshield replacement for your vehicle will cost.
When Does Insurance Cover Windshield Repair?
If you drive a car, sooner or later, it’s bound to happen— your windshield is going to get chipped or cracked by a rock flung from the semi-truck on the highway, maybe a foul ball at a Little League game, a hail storm will strike, or any number of scenarios that require repair or replacement.
Knowing when to repair or replace the windshield is not always so obvious. Knowing if, and when, your insurance pays for windshield repair and replacement could save you hundreds of dollars.
Am I covered?
Many insurance companies cover windshield repair at 100 percent with no deductible, especially if you have comprehensive coverage. Insurers all have different rules for how long a crack can be to be covered for repair. There are some insurers, though, that generally do not cover repairs.
Just remember, comprehensive coverage is optional, so check your policy before making any decisions.
Comprehensive coverage usually covers damage incurred from storms, fires, vandalism, animal collisions, etc. Repair (rather than a replacement) is more common when it comes to auto glass. That’s because the majority of damage is in the form of chips or cracks.
So, if your glass is chipped or cracked, check to see if the damage is less than 6 inches. You can use the “dollar bill rule” for this— if the crack is completely covered by a dollar bill, then it’s less than 6 inches. If so, your next step is to call your insurance company and file a claim. You may also file a claim online.
Check Your Deductible
Before filing a claim, be sure to compare the cost of the repair to your deductible. If the repair cost is lower than your deductible (if you have one for windshield repair), then your insurance carrier likely will not pay for the repair. But if the cost is higher than your deductible, and you decide to file the claim, now is the time to do so. Your insurance company will tell you whether the repair is covered.
Get Your Windshield Fixed
Once you’ve taken these steps, it’s time to get the windshield repaired. Most times, the insurance company will put you in contact with a repair shop if you are filing a claim.
Glass.com can provide you with instant quotes from auto glass companies in your area. You choose the company that’s right for you and they’ll contact you quickly to get your replacement started.
3 Responses
My windshield needs to be replaced and it is a rain detecting windshield. I do not use the auto wiper function, literally turned it off. Do I truly need a rain detecting windshield? I looked into my owners manual and only the auto “lights-on” and wipers are affected, both have been disabled. I bought the car for transposition, surprise . It just happened to have features I did not care about.
Hi Jason,
Excellent question. If you purchase a windshield without these add-on options, they simply will not work, but the windshield should still have the same fit and finish. Since you disable these features anyway, this could be an easy way to save some money when replacing your windshield. However, you may want to consider the resale value when it comes time to trade in or sell the vehicle in the future. Also be sure to consult with your local windshield repair shop to obtain their professional opinion.
Taking special features into account when getting windshield replacements is something I didn’t think of at first. Our car has a few of these features that we really rely on, and I can bet that these would need to be checked first if we’re to get some replacement materials for its windshield. I’ll make sure that I consult an auto service about this so we can get the entire thing installed without problems.