Last Updated on October 4, 2026 by Kristin
Ugh. Imagine renting a car and a huge windshield crack appears out of nowhere. Maybe some gravel hit the windshield, or a cold snap turned a small chip into a big problem. That’s what happened to a man who rented a car in Maryland recently. He told MarketWatch a small chip in the windshield mysteriously spread into an eight-inch crack.
Even if the windshield crack isn’t your fault, you may still be on the hook for it. Here’s how the rental car company determines whether you’re at fault and how much you have to pay.
What Causes Car Windshields to Crack?
Small windshield cracks often grow to be bigger problems over time. It can be difficult to determine whether a windshield cracked while you were behind the wheel or if an existing chip grew much bigger. Some common culprits include:
Road Debris and Hail
One of the most common reasons why windshields crack is an impact from hail or other road debris. If you drive through a construction zone, for example, a small piece of gravel might cause a tiny chip in the car. As time goes on, that crack may spread and get much bigger.
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Changing Temperatures
Extreme temperature changes can stress a windshield and cause cracks to form.
Manufacturing Problems
Sometimes windshields can break due to quality issues or manufacturing problems that existed before anyone even started driving the car.
When Do You Have to Pay for a Cracked Windshield?
Whether or not you’ll be required to pay for a cracked windshield in a rental car depends on several factors. Here are some factors the rental car company may consider when assessing whether to bill you for the damage.
Damage History
The rental car company should check to see whether the car has a history of any damage before you rented it. Was there any note about a chip in the windshield before you got behind the wheel? If the rental car company finds that the chip existed before, you may not have to pay anything at all.
Because it can be so hard to pinpoint exactly when windshield damage takes place, it is crucial to take photos of your rental car when you pick it up and drop it off. These before-and-after photos provide evidence of the car’s condition and can be a lifesaver in situations like these.
Insurance and Damage Coverage
The type of insurance or damage coverage you have can help determine whether you’ll pay anything out of pocket for a damaged windshield.
When renting a car, you typically have three main options for handling any damages: your personal auto policy, a credit card offering primary or secondary coverage and the rental company’s own collision damage waiver.
Unfortunately, the rental car company’s damage waiver may exclude windshield damage. Make sure to read the fine print and consider whether you might need additional insurance in the case of a broken windshield.
If you’re renting a car with your own auto insurance policy, you can use it to cover damages. However, you may decide to use another option if you have a high deductible. The Maryland renter was hoping not to pay the $2,000 deductible on his own policy to fix the crack.
Using the right credit card, ideally one that offers primary rental car coverage, is generally a better option than using your own auto insurance policy. Primary rental car insurance allows you to decline the rental car company’s damage waiver and will kick in before your personal auto policy.
What to Do If Your Windshield Cracks
After you report the damage, wait to see if the rental car company sends you a bill. MarketWatch’s expert told the concerned renter that it may take several weeks or months before the rental car company responds after filing a damage report.
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If you do end up receiving a damage bill for a broken windshield from the rental car company, you can dispute the claim if you believe the price is too high or have good reason to think you did not cause the damage.
Before disputing a damage claim, ask for a detailed report outlining the damage to the windshield, including the size of the crack and the inspection report. Submit any photos you took during the walkaround inspection to show what the car looked like before and after you returned it. You can also request an itemized quote for the repair charges to better understand how much it will cost to fix the windshield.
If you do have to pay for the damaged windshield, assess all of your options. Before filing a claim through your personal auto insurance, check the deductible. If you paid for your reservation with a credit card, see whether it includes any primary or secondary rental car insurance. And finally, verify whether any add-on coverage options you already purchased from the rental car company might go toward some of the damages.
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