A sweeping legislative package currently moving through the General Assembly could end South Carolina’s long-standing practice of deductible-free windshield repairs. House Bill 4817, known as the Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act, proposes significant changes to how automobile safety glass claims are handled.
Under current state law, insurers are effectively prohibited from applying deductibles to windshield claims. This has allowed South Carolina drivers to receive glass replacements at no out-of-pocket cost for decades, a benefit frequently highlighted in local repair advertisements.
However, the new legislation outlines a phased transition:
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Through 2026: The current zero-deductible system remains in place.
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Starting January 1, 2027: Zero-deductible coverage would no longer be automatic. Instead, insurers would only be required to offer it as an optional choice, potentially leading to higher premiums for the specific benefit or the introduction of standard deductibles for glass work.
Beyond auto glass, the bill addresses rising costs by targeting insurance fraud and regulating roofing contractors. While the House has already approved the measure, it currently sits in a Senate committee. With the legislative session scheduled to adjourn on May 14, lawmakers face a tight deadline to finalize the bill. Proponents argue these adjustments are necessary to stabilize the market and eventually lower overall premiums for policyholders across the state.
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