Colorado doesn’t regulate your windshield's condition, its replacement, or whether your insurance company can charge you a deductible to repair it.

Repairing your windshield is a no-brainer, but determining who’ll pay for it can be tricky. To save you some time,

Jerry

—the

car insurance

broker app—looked up what the Colorado Revised Statutes had to say. Here's everything you need to know about the Rocky Mountain State's windshield laws, as well as how to find cheap

car insurance in Colorado

to futureproof your car!

Does Colorado law cover windshield replacement?

No. In Colorado, a windshield replacement is the same as any other car repair. Depending on the circumstances, it’s up to you or your insurance to cover windshield crack repair costs.

Who pays for windshield replacement in Colorado?

If you accidentally backed your hatchback into a tree, your rear windshield would be covered by

collision insurance

. Collision insurance pays for repairs after you hit another car or stationary object, even if you're at fault. Alternatively, if your windshield was damaged by hail, vandalism, fire, or some other outside force, it would fall under

comprehensive insurance

If it wasn’t your fault, you would file a car insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company. Under

Colorado car insurance laws

, drivers must carry a minimum of $15,000 in

property damage liability

, which should cover the cost of repairing or replacing a windshield. Just be warned: if the driver who damaged your windshield is uninsured (or underinsured), you’ll be left holding the bill unless you’re carrying

uninsured motorist coverage

Finally, we arrive at the worst-case scenario: you’re at fault and/or you aren’t carrying any extra coverage. In that case, you’d have no choice but to pay for the repairs yourself. If the damages are light enough, you could also try to

fix the cracked windshield with household items

MORE: Collision vs. comprehensive car insurance

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Does Colorado law require auto insurance coverage for windshield repair?

No, car insurance coverage is not required to pay for windshield repairs in Colorado.

Cracks and scratches to your windshield can be covered by collision, comprehensive, or uninsured motorist insurance, which are optional coverages in Colorado. In addition, the law doesn't require insurance companies to use the original manufacturer's equipment to repair your vehicle. Instead, they may use a used or aftermarket product. If you want a genuine

Dodge

windshield on your

Dodge Ram 2500

, consider

OEM coverage

or ask for an OEM rule on your policy.

Then there’s the issue of deductibles. Since insurance companies aren't obligated to offer no-deductible car insurance, the cost of fixing your windshield might not be more than the amount you have to pay on every insurance claim you make. Say your deductible is $500 and your windshield replacement will cost $450. You’ll end up paying the $450 anyway, so that’s a classic case of

when not to make a car insurance claim

MORE: No deductible car insurance, explained

Do I need to replace my cracked windshield in Colorado?

So what if it’s a little cracked, scratched, or stained—any windshield is better than no windshield, right?

Not necessarily. A small crack can turn into a big problem if it’s struck with enough force.

Safety glazing is required on every windshield

, so it won't shatter, but you won’t be able to see anything past the thick spider web of cracks in front of you.

It’s also important to note that every driver's vision must be "normal and unobstructed" according to

C.R.S. 42-4-201

. In other words, if a police officer thinks you can't see through your windshield, they have a legal basis to write you up. This is equally true even if you’ve merely forgotten to clean the inside of your car windshield!

Moreover, federal highways carry their own rules and regulations. If your windshield cracks are bigger than a quarter inch or intersect with another crack, the Federal Highway Administration can penalize you. Whenever you see damage on the glass bigger than a three-quarter-inch circle (or within three inches of another damaged area), it's time to fix it.

MORE: Does insurance cover cracked windshields?

How to save on windshield insurance in Colorado

For safety, it’s best to keep a crystal-clear view of the road. For savings, it’s best to use

Jerry

Jerry is an eagle-eyed,

fully-licensed insurance broker

who helps you navigate thousands of insurance products. After a quick download and sign-up, Jerry compares plans from over 50 top insurance companies to find one that meets your needs, including windshield insurance. In less than a minute you’ll have a choice between five to seven money-saving quotes!

At the end of the year, the average Jerry customer saves $800 or more. Make the switch and see what a difference the App Store’s #1 insurance app makes!

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