South Carolina drivers may soon face deductibles for windshield repairs. New bill would also bar insurers from using income or race in setting rates. These changes could begin January 1, 2027, affecting the insurance market. A quirk of South Carolina insurance law that has saved drivers a lot of money over the years is on the chopping block. The state is one of just three in the country, alongside Florida and Kentucky, where insurers are barred from applying a deductible to windshield claims, which means a cracked or shattered windshield gets repaired or replaced at no out-of-pocket cost to the policyholder. That arrangement could soon end. A handful of other states including Arizona, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York require insurers to offer optional zero-deductible glass coverage, but they don’t mandate it the way SC, FL, and KY do. There’s now a new insurance bill moving through the South Carolina General Assembly that would keep this system in place through December 31, but change it starting January 1, 2027. After that date, insurers would no longer be required to automatically offer zero-deductible windshield coverage, and could instead make it optional. Read: He Braked Hard Once, Then His Insurance Jumped $100 A Month In practical terms, drivers may soon have to choose this coverage, and it may not come cheap. Insurers would likely use the policy shift to introduce a deductible for windshield repairs or replacements. As a result, the cost of fixing a damaged windshield could vary widely depending on the details of each policy. As noted by U.S. Dep. Nancy Mace who is running for the Governor of South Carolina, “South Carolina drivers will likely have to pay an extra premium to keep their zero-deductible windshield coverage, or they will be subject to their standard comprehensive deductible (often $500 or $1,000) when a rock, from the large 18-wheelers or bad road conditions (not your fault) cracks your windshield.” This Isn’t The Only Change As reported by WLTX,the bill has passed the House and now moves to the Senate. In addition to the Insurance Rate Reduction and Policyholder Protection Act (H.4817), which addresses vehicle windshield coverage, it includes provisions related to roof contractors and wider insurance fraud across the industry. The bill also aims to prevent insurers from raising rates or canceling coverage after an accident unless the driver is found at fault. It would further prohibit the use of income level, location within the state, and race when setting auto insurance rates or determining eligibility.