I was driving my Class A Newmar down a gravel road when a semi kicked up a rock. Crack. A spiderweb fracture instantly spread across the massive panoramic windshield. I wasn’t worried—until I called the glass shop. “That’s a single-piece custom glass,” they said. “The part is $2,800 and labor is $1,200.” My insurance deductible was $1,000, but I soon found out my policy had a specific “Glass Deductible” that didn’t waive the cost like my car insurance did.
Key Takeaways
- RV Glass is Expensive: Unlike a $300 Honda Civic windshield, Class A windshields are massive, custom, and often require two people to install. Costs range from $2,000 to $5,000.
- Zero-Deductible Glass is Rare: On standard auto policies, glass is often free. On RV policies, it is frequently subject to your comprehensive deductible (often $500 or $1,000).
- Calibration Costs: modern RVs (2024+) have lane-departure cameras behind the glass. Calibrating these adds
400−400−800 to the bill. - Wait Times: Getting the glass can take weeks. If the crack impairs vision, your rig is grounded.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is the “Comprehensive Deductible Application.”
In many states (like Florida or Kentucky), law requires insurers to replace windshields with zero deductible. However, this often applies to private passenger vehicles. Many insurers classify large RVs differently, or the specific RV policy wording circumvents this state rule depending on where the policy is written.
If you have a $1,000 deductible to save on premiums, you are effectively self-insuring your windshield. Since windshields are the most common RV claim, this is a bad gamble.
The Investigation (My Analysis of 3 Solutions)
I investigated how different carriers handle the “big glass” problem.
Progressive
- The Policy: They offer a specific “$0 Glass Deductible” buy-up.
- My Experience: It costs an extra ~$60/year. Given that a Class A windshield breaks every 2-3 years on average, this is a mathematical no-brainer.
- The Catch: You must select it before the damage happens. If you have the standard plan, you pay your full deductible.
National General
- The Policy: They market themselves as RV experts.
- My Experience: They have a “Windshield Replacement” benefit that often covers the full cost, but they are strict about using their network shops. If you are in a remote town and use a local guy, they might cap the labor rate, leaving you to pay the difference.
Safelite vs. RV Specialists
- The Reality: I called Safelite. They said, “We don’t do Class A motorhomes.”
- The Fix: You usually have to use specialized RV glass networks like Custom Glass Solutions. Insurance companies know them, but the coordination takes longer than a standard car repair.
[IMAGE: Photo of a massive Class A windshield with a large crack running through the driver’s line of sight]
Comparison Table
| Feature | Standard Auto Policy | Specialized RV Policy (Progressive/NatGen) |
| Glass Deductible | Same as Comp ($500+) | Option for $0 |
| OEM Glass Coverage | Often Refused (Aftermarket only) | More likely to approve OEM |
| Calibration Coverage | Hit or Miss | Included |
| Network Shops | Standard Auto Shops (Can’t do RVs) | RV Specialist Network |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Check Your Deductible Today: Look at your policy. If your Comprehensive Deductible is $1,000 and you don’t have a separate “Glass” line item, you are exposed.
- Buy the Glass Rider: Call your agent and ask: “How much to lower my glass deductible to zero?” It is usually the best ROI add-on you can buy.
- Use “Custom Glass Solutions”: If you get a crack, don’t just Google “glass repair.” Search for RV-specific glass experts. They handle the insurance paperwork for these high-dollar claims better than local shops.
- Stop-Drill the Crack: If you get a chip, buy a repair kit or go to a shop immediately to fill it. Once it spreads (and it will on a big flexing RV), the whole windshield is trash.
FAQ
Can I drive with a cracked windshield?
Legally, usually not if it crosses the driver’s wiper path. Practically, a large crack weakens the structural integrity of the front of the RV.
Why does it cost so much?
It’s not just the glass. The rubber gaskets often need replacing, and the sheer size requires special shipping crates (freight cost) and two technicians to lift it safely.
Will a glass claim raise my rates?
Generally, no. Comprehensive claims (glass, theft, deer) are “non-fault” and rarely impact premiums as much as collision claims. However, frequent claims (3 in 3 years) can get you non-renewed.