If you have comprehensive auto insurance in South Carolina, your windshield replacement in Myrtle Beach is $0 right now. South Carolina Code §38-77-150 prohibits insurers from applying a deductible to auto glass claims. Every insurer writing comprehensive policies in South Carolina is bound by this law — and it applies to every Myrtle Beach and Horry County driver with SC-registered vehicles. However, SC HB 4817 — currently pending in the South Carolina Senate — would eliminate this zero-deductible protection starting January 1, 2027. Understanding exactly how the current law works, and why the window to act is closing, is essential for every Grand Strand driver with existing windshield damage.
What SC §38-77-150 Actually Says
South Carolina Code §38-77-150 requires that insurance companies providing comprehensive coverage in South Carolina must cover auto glass repair and replacement without applying a deductible to the policyholder. The law applies to windshield glass and extends to all auto glass covered under a comprehensive policy — including rock chip damage from US-17 construction, hail damage, storm debris, coastal debris, and vandalism. Every major insurer — State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, Allstate, USAA, Nationwide, Erie — must honor this requirement while the law is in effect.
SC HB 4817 — What It Is and Why Myrtle Beach Drivers Must Act
SC House Bill 4817 is pending legislation that would repeal SC §38-77-150 — ending South Carolina’s zero-deductible auto glass mandate. The bill has passed the House and is under Senate consideration. If signed by the Governor, it would take effect January 1, 2027. After that date, windshield replacement in South Carolina would be subject to your standard comprehensive deductible, just as it is in most other states.
What this means in dollar terms: the average comprehensive deductible in South Carolina is $500. A windshield replacement that currently costs you $0 would cost you $500 out-of-pocket after January 1, 2027. Cash prices for windshield replacement in Myrtle Beach range from $200 to $600. For drivers with late-model vehicles requiring ADAS recalibration, the cost difference between acting before and after HB 4817 could exceed $800. If you have existing windshield damage — any chip, crack, or seal deterioration — scheduling now is a direct financial decision.
Why Myrtle Beach Drivers Have Above-Average Windshield Damage
The Grand Strand creates concentrated windshield risk for several overlapping reasons. US-17 (Ocean Highway) is in near-perpetual construction through the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach corridor. Active roadway expansion and utility work generates loose aggregate that commercial trucks lift into windshield strike zones. US-501 carries tens of thousands of vehicles daily from Conway and I-95, with construction equipment and truck traffic generating above-average chip exposure year-round.
Peak tourism season (May through September) multiplies traffic on both US-17 and US-501, increasing the chip frequency substantially. Coastal UV radiation and salt air also accelerate windshield seal degradation and PVB interlayer aging — creating glass quality issues specific to the Myrtle Beach coastal environment that do not affect inland SC drivers at the same rate. Under SC §38-77-150, all of this damage — chip, crack, coastal UV delamination, hail — is covered at zero deductible. After HB 4817, it will not be.
Does SC Law Apply to Tourists and Out-of-State Visitors?
SC §38-77-150 applies to SC-registered vehicles. Out-of-state tourists visiting Myrtle Beach do not benefit from SC’s zero-deductible requirement — their windshield repair or replacement is covered under their home-state comprehensive policy, subject to their own deductible and policy terms. However, we file claims with all major insurers on behalf of both SC residents and out-of-state visitors, and in many cases out-of-state visitors have low or no deductible glass coverage from their home state. The coverage varies by state and insurer — we confirm coverage terms at booking.
States that currently maintain zero-deductible glass laws include Florida, Kentucky, and Massachusetts. If you are visiting Myrtle Beach from one of these states, your home-state policy may also cover glass at zero deductible. We verify this for all visitors at no charge when you call (839) 222-6907.
How to File a Windshield Claim Before HB 4817
- Call us first. We verify your coverage at no cost and confirm $0 under current SC law. (839) 222-6907.
- We contact your insurer. We handle the claim with your insurance company. You provide your policy number and carrier name — we handle the rest.
- Confirm $0 cost. Your insurer authorizes the claim at zero deductible per SC §38-77-150. If any representative attempts to apply a deductible, we address this directly — the current law prohibits it.
- Schedule mobile service. We order your glass and schedule mobile service at your home, hotel, resort, or anywhere in Horry County.
- Replacement completed. 60 to 90 minutes on-site. Same-day available in most cases when glass is in stock.
Coastal UV and Salt Air: The Slow Windshield Damage You May Not Notice
Beyond chip and crack damage, Myrtle Beach coastal drivers face a long-term windshield degradation issue that inland SC drivers don’t encounter at the same rate. UV radiation intensity at the coast is higher than inland, and prolonged UV exposure degrades the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer inside laminated windshields over time. This causes yellowing at the edges, delamination, and reduced structural integrity. Salt air accelerates corrosion at the windshield bonding channel and seal. If your windshield shows any yellowing, cloudiness at the edges, or seal gaps, replacement now at $0 under current law is the right move before HB 4817 closes this window.
Does Filing a Claim Raise Your Rates in SC?
Under current South Carolina law, comprehensive glass claims are not treated as fault-based events and cannot be used to surcharge your premium. Filing a windshield replacement claim today will not raise your insurance rates. This is another reason to act now — zero cost, zero rate impact, zero downside under current SC law.
What If HB 4817 Is Signed Before You Act?
If HB 4817 is signed before you file your claim, you would be subject to your standard comprehensive deductible for windshield replacement. This is the legal standard in approximately 46 of the 50 states. South Carolina has been one of four states (along with Florida, Kentucky, and Massachusetts) maintaining zero-deductible glass laws. If HB 4817 passes, South Carolina would join the majority of states where windshield replacement costs the driver their deductible amount. The urgency is real and the window is finite. If you have existing chips, cracks, or any windshield damage today, schedule before January 1, 2027.