Why Your Windshield is so Expensive

Not all windshields are created equally. Tragic, I know, but it’s the truth. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat them all equally, but that’s another topic for another day.

Just about every vehicle that exists for consumer use has a windshield; some form of clear glass or plastic designed to keep rain, dirt, rocks, and bugs from blowing in the drivers face. While all windshields have the same basic design and function, they can be wildly different.

Big deal, though right? Lots of things in life serve the same general purpose but are different from one another. Smartphones, cars, books, even bread for crying out loud. Why should you care?

A true and valid point, but this is an auto glass website and I’m only trying to answer and auto glass question. For example, the windshield on a Mercedes or Audi is going to cost a whole lot more than that of a Honda or Kia. Why Though?

As the production or quality of glass is likely no different between a BMW to Toyota, it comes down to a few reasons:

Brand

Yup, just because it has a teeny tiny little insignia on the corner of the windshield that reads Cadillac or Buick, they can charge that much more for it. It’s ridiculous, the glass is barely different from a Chevy’s or Volkswagen’s, but that’s just the way it is.

Features and Extras

This might be the only legitimate reason for a difference in windshield costs. More expensive cars tend to have w bells and whistles, many of which are incorporated into the windshield. From  embedded tinting to rain and light sensors, windshields can carry a lot of neat gadgets.

We think this is all very cool. The only downside to this is that the cost noticeably increases to manufacture a new OEM windshield that includes all the fancy gadgets and features.

Size

This is a given and applies to all vehicles, not just luxury cars. Usually, the larger the windshield, the more it costs to produce (resources, space, etc.). The price differences for size aren’t too drastic (for consumer vehicles), but it is just another price variable.

Demand

As with all products, demand weighs heavy on price determination. The less a windshield is needed, the more expensive it will be. The same goes for the other way around, the more one is needed, the less it will cost. This all plays into mass production and large scale purchasing. If one specific windshield mold is only used once, that manufacturer is losing a lot of money keeping that equipment up an running.

These are the unfortunate facts of life (well, the auto glass industry anyways). However, these are the reasons why auto glass insurance exists. Plus, if you live in Arizona, you get the added perk of minimal cost auto glass coverage with $0 deductible.

Hopefully you’re covered, but either way, we’re willing to help. Happy adventuring!

Author: B. Delamater