In Florida, You Choose Your Windshield Shop, Not Your Insurer

Published September 28, 2026

Why this matters when you file a windshield claim

When you report windshield damage, you may be offered a glass shop your insurer works with. That’s a suggestion, not a requirement. If you already know who you want to do the work, you can name that shop.

One of our customers put it this way in a Google review: “make sure to specifically request Optickleer by name.” If you don’t name a shop, the claim may simply go to whoever the insurer suggests.

What Florida law says

Florida Statute 627.7291 (“Motor vehicle windshield claims and practices; steering prohibited”) was added in 2023. In plain terms:

• No required shop: an insurer, agent, adjuster, or anyone acting for them may not require you to use a particular company or location for windshield replacement, repair, or calibration.
• They can explain your coverage: the insurer may explain your comprehensive coverage benefits and any applicable limit.
• Repair-arrangement policies: insurers may offer a policy that includes a repair arrangement for windshield work. If they offer one and you accept it, they must give you an actuarially sound discount.
• Who it applies to: windshield claims under the comprehensive or combined additional coverage of a personal lines auto policy.

The $0 deductible is still Florida law

You may have read online that Florida eliminated its zero-deductible windshield rule in 2023. The current statute says otherwise. Florida Statute 627.7288 still states that the deductible provisions of a policy providing comprehensive coverage “shall not be applicable to damage to the windshield.” For covered claims, that generally means a $0 deductible for your windshield. How the $0 deductible law works →

What did change in 2023

The 2023 motor vehicle glass law (HB 541) changed how windshield claims work in several ways:

• No assignment of benefits: for policies issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2023, you can’t sign over your insurance benefits for auto glass work to a shop. Any such agreement is void.
• No incentives for filing claims: glass shops may not offer anything of value, like cash or gift cards, in exchange for making a windshield claim.
• No steering: the right-to-choose rule described above.
• Optional repair-arrangement policies, with a required discount if you accept one.

How to choose Optic-Kleer for your windshield claim

1. Report the damage to your insurer and say you want Optic-Kleer Autoglass of Tampa as your glass provider.
2. Or contact us first. Optic-Kleer can help you initiate the windshield claim and assist you through the insurance claim process. Start your claim online →
3. We schedule the work, at our South Tampa shop or at your home or workplace with no mobile call-out fees, often the same day.

We bill Geico, State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Farmers, Liberty Mutual and Travelers directly, and we work with many other carriers.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Confirm your specific coverage and policy terms with your insurance provider. Statute references: Florida Statutes 627.7291 and 627.7288.