If you own a vehicle in Arizona, Florida, or South Carolina, you’ve likely noticed a trend: auto insurance premiums aren’t dropping. Despite hopes for relief after the price hikes of 2024 and 2025, industry forecasts suggest that rates will continue to climb modestly into 2026.

While inflation has cooled in some sectors, the cost of protecting your vehicle remains high. Why? The answer lies in a mix of advanced vehicle technology, increasingly severe weather patterns, and rising repair complexities.

Here is an expert breakdown of why your premiums are rising and how you can leverage your policy to cover essential services like mobile windshield replacement without breaking the bank.

1. The “Smart Glass” Factor: Why Repairs Cost More

The biggest driver of rising premiums is the technology inside your car. A decade ago, replacing a windshield was a simple glass swap. Today, your windshield is a critical component of your vehicle’s safety system.

Modern vehicles are equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which include features like lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and rain sensors. These systems rely on cameras and sensors mounted directly against the windshield glass.

Technician’s Insight: “When we replace a windshield on a newer model whether it’s a Toyota Camry or a Tesla Model Y, we don’t just swap the glass. We must recalibrate the camera systems to OEM specifications. If this step is skipped, your safety features may fail when you need them most.”

This necessity for ADAS calibration has increased the cost of claims for insurers, which in turn keeps premiums elevated. However, for drivers, this ensures that your vehicle remains as safe as the day it left the factory.

2. Extreme Weather Trends in the Sunbelt

Insurers are heavily impacted by climate risks, and our primary service areas are on the front lines.

Florida & South Carolina: The frequency of Atlantic storms has led to billions in comprehensive claims. Even without a direct hit, high winds from tropical storms can propel debris into vehicles, leading to shattered glass and body damage. Read our Hurricane Season Guide for Jacksonville for prep tips.
Arizona: It’s not just storms; it’s the heat. In Phoenix and Scottsdale, extreme temperature fluctuations can turn a minor windshield chip into a massive crack overnight due to thermal stress.

As insurers payout more for weather-related comprehensive claims, base rates for all drivers in these states tend to rise.

3. Rising Parts and Labor Costs

While supply chains have stabilized since the pandemic, the cost of automotive parts—particularly OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass and specialized electronics—remains high.

Labor Shortages: The auto repair industry is facing a shortage of certified technicians. Skilled labor costs more, and those costs are passed onto insurance carriers.
Vehicle Complexity: Modern cars use specialized materials (like aluminum and carbon fiber) and complex glass laminates (like acoustic glass) that are more expensive to source and install than standard tempered glass.

4. Driving Behavior and Accident Severity

Despite safer cars, accident severity has ticked upward. Data suggests that distracted driving remains a significant issue, leading to accidents at higher speeds.

When accidents happen at higher speeds, the damage is more extensive. For an insurer, a “total loss” is expensive, but even a repairable accident now involves costly sensor replacements and safety system recalibrations.

The Silver Lining: How to Use Your Glass Coverage

While you can’t control national insurance trends, you can control how you use the benefits you’re already paying for. Many drivers in our service areas are unaware that they may qualify for no-cost windshield replacement.

Florida: The Zero Deductible Law

If you carry comprehensive coverage in Florida, state law (Statute § 627.7288) prohibits insurers from charging a deductible for windshield damage.

Benefit: You can get a full windshield replacement in Florida with zero out-of-pocket cost.
Note: This applies specifically to the windshield, not side windows.

South Carolina: Full Glass Coverage

Similarly, South Carolina law typically waives the deductible for safety glass replacement if you have comprehensive coverage.

Benefit: This covers both repair and replacement, ensuring your view of the road is never compromised by cost concerns. See our guide on Free Windshield Replacement in SC

Arizona: Safety Equipment Options

While Arizona doesn’t mandate a zero deductible by law for all policies, many insurers offer specific “Safety Glass” endorsements that reduce your deductible to $0 for glass claims.

Tip: Check your policy. In a state with so much gravel and construction debris, having this low-cost endorsement is essential. Learn more about Arizona Windshield Laws.

Conclusion: Don’t Skip Essential Repairs

Insurance rates might be high in 2026, but driving with damaged glass is a risk you shouldn’t take. A compromised windshield reduces the structural integrity of your car and can make ADAS features inaccurate.

NuVision Auto Glass works directly with all major insurance providers to handle the paperwork for you. Whether you are in Phoenix, AZ, Tampa, FL, or Charleston, SC, our mobile team comes to you.

4 Reasons Auto Insurance Rates Are Still Climbing in 2026