A voter in South Carolina just made us aware of a small but impactful provision in State House Bill H4817 which would phase out windshield replacements for South Carolina drivers.
Under current South Carolina law (S.C. Code Β§ 38-77-280(B)), if a driver carries comprehensive auto insurance, the insurance company is legally mandated to waive the deductible for windshield replacement or repair. What H.4817 Changes, in Section 16 of H.4817 amends this law with a two-step phase-out of the mandate:
1. Through December 31, 2026: The current mandate remains in place (no deductible applies to safety glass).
2. Beginning January 1, 2027: The mandatory waiver is eliminated. Instead, the bill states that insurers "may offer a zero dollar deductible option for automobile safety glass." Key word "MAY" offer... Which we know they won't...
The Impact: This shifts the zero-deductible windshield from a state mandate to an optional coverage rider. Starting in 2027, if this bill becomes law, 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.