Windshield Damage and Lease Returns
Lease-end inspections charge for glass damage at a rate that is almost always higher than fixing it yourself beforehand.
Key Takeaways
- Most lease agreements treat any crack as excess wear
- Inspection charges typically exceed retail replacement cost
- Fixing it beforehand lets you use insurance; the lease charge does not
- Some lessors require OEM glass specifically
How lease-end glass charges work
Lease wear-and-tear standards usually permit chips below a stated size but treat any crack as excess wear. The charge assessed is set by the lessor, not by market pricing, and it is routinely higher than what the same replacement costs retail.
Why doing it yourself is cheaper
If you replace the glass before turn-in, you can file a comprehensive claim and pay only your deductible, or nothing in a zero-deductible state. A lease-end charge is billed directly to you and is not an insurable event.
Check the OEM requirement
Some lessors specify OEM glass for lease returns and will assess a charge even if aftermarket glass was correctly installed. Read the agreement before booking, and tell us if OEM is required so we order accordingly.