South Carolina may no longer be a “zero deductible” state if a bill making its way through the state legislature passes.
Several legislators introduced H.B. 4817 to the House on January 13. It was introduced to the Senate on April 1, where it still resides. Also known as the “Insurance Rate Reduction and Policy Holder Protection Act,” the bill updates insurance regulations across multiple sectors, including auto glass.
South Carolina may lose its “zero-deductible” status for automotive glass repairs.South Carolina’s current law states that “any automobile physical damage insurance coverage deductible, or policy deductible, does not apply to automobile safety glass.” H.B. 4817 updates that language to allow for a deductible.
“Any automobile physical damage deductible does not apply to an initial repair made to automobile safety glass,” the bill reads. “The deductible for replacement of automobile safety glass may not exceed $100. Insurers must make available a $0 deductible for automobile safety glass.”
One of the legislators backing the bill, Representative Gary Brewer, tells news outlet WCIV that the change is designed to help lower insurance rates.
“By removing mandates and making it competitive, we’re making sure they get that relief and making South Carolina a bit more affordable for [our constituents],” Brewer says. “I don’t think that five million people enjoy paying for 250,000 insurance claims for windshields when they could have theirs lowered.”
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted in favor of the bill on April 30, and it now awaits approval by the Senate. If passed, the bill would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.