South Carolina Code § 38-77-280 requires auto insurance companies to waive deductibles for safety glass claims. This means if you have comprehensive coverage on an SC-registered vehicle, your windshield replacement should cost you nothing out of pocket — regardless of whether your deductible is $100 or $2,500.
This page explains how the law works, who qualifies, and what exceptions exist. We're not lawyers, and this isn't legal advice — but we've filed thousands of claims under this law and know how it works in practice.
SC Code § 38-77-280 is part of South Carolina's insurance regulation statutes. The key provision states that insurers may not apply a deductible to claims for "the repair or replacement of safety glass" on vehicles covered by a comprehensive policy.
"Safety glass" under this law includes your windshield, side windows, and rear window — essentially any glass that's part of the vehicle's structural safety system. The law exists because windshield damage is often caused by road debris that drivers can't avoid, and because clear visibility is critical for safe driving.
South Carolina is one of only a few states with this protection. Florida and Kentucky have similar laws. In most other states, your regular deductible applies to glass claims just like any other comprehensive claim.
The law applies automatically if you meet three conditions. You don't need to sign up for anything, buy a special endorsement, or request a waiver. If you qualify, your insurer is legally required to process your claim without a deductible.
Your vehicle must be registered in South Carolina. The law protects SC drivers — not just people who happen to be driving through. If your car has out-of-state plates, your home state's insurance rules apply instead.
This catches some people who've recently moved to Charleston. If you haven't switched your registration yet, you may not qualify until you do. South Carolina requires registration transfer within 45 days of establishing residency.
You must have comprehensive coverage (sometimes called "other than collision" coverage) on your policy. This is the coverage that handles damage from things other than accidents — theft, vandalism, weather, falling objects, and yes, glass breakage.
Liability-only policies don't include comprehensive, so they don't cover glass at all. This is common on older vehicles where owners have dropped comprehensive coverage to reduce premiums. If that's your situation, you'd pay out of pocket for glass replacement.
The damage must be to "safety glass" — your windshield, door windows, quarter glass, or rear window. These all qualify because they're structural components that affect vehicle safety.
Sunroofs and moonroofs are a gray area. Some policies classify them as safety glass; others don't. If you need sunroof glass replaced, we'll verify coverage before proceeding.
The zero-deductible law applies to the vast majority of policies, but not all. In our experience filing claims across Charleston, roughly 15% of customers have policies that include some form of glass deductible despite the law.
How is this possible? A few reasons:
We verify coverage before scheduling for exactly this reason. If your policy has an unexpected glass deductible, we'll let you know so you can decide how to proceed.
The claims process for a zero-deductible glass claim is the same as any other insurance claim — we just don't collect a deductible from you at the end.
When you call us, we ask for your insurance company, policy number, and vehicle information. We then contact your insurer directly through their glass claims portal or phone line. The insurer confirms your coverage, issues a claim number, and authorizes the replacement.
After we complete the work, we submit documentation to your insurer — photos of the damage, invoice for the work, and any required forms. Your insurer pays us directly. The claim appears on your policy record as a comprehensive claim, but you don't pay anything and your rates don't increase.
The entire process, from your first call to completed replacement, typically takes one to two days. Same-day service is often available if you call in the morning.
Almost certainly not. Glass claims are comprehensive claims, and comprehensive claims are treated very differently than collision claims by insurance companies.
Collision claims can raise your rates because they often involve fault — you hit something or something hit you in a way that could theoretically have been avoided. Comprehensive claims cover things outside your control: a rock kicked up by a truck, a tree branch falling on your car, a break-in. Insurers don't penalize you for things you couldn't prevent.
In the thousands of glass claims we've filed in Charleston, we've never had a customer report a rate increase from a single glass claim. The only scenario where we've heard of issues is multiple comprehensive claims in a short period — like three or four claims in one year. That pattern can sometimes trigger a policy review, but one windshield replacement won't.
Both. The law covers "repair or replacement of safety glass." Chip repairs and crack repairs qualify for zero-deductible coverage just like full replacement. Since repairs are cheaper than replacement, insurers are usually happy to cover them — it saves everyone money.
If you meet the three conditions and your insurer still tries to apply a deductible, they may be in violation of state law. In practice, this rarely happens with major insurers — they know the law. If it does happen, you can file a complaint with the SC Department of Insurance. We can also help you understand your options.
No. South Carolina law gives you the right to choose your own auto glass provider. Your insurer might recommend their preferred vendor, but you're not required to use them. We work with all major insurers and can file your claim regardless of who covers you.
The law specifically covers "safety glass." ADAS calibration is a separate service that's required after windshield replacement on many newer vehicles. Most insurers cover it because it's necessary to restore the vehicle to proper working condition, but it's technically a separate coverage question. We verify calibration coverage as part of our claims process.
We file zero-deductible claims every day. Give us your insurance info and we'll verify your coverage, file the claim, and handle everything from there.
