Auto Glass / Windshield Repair
Insurance pays the bill — your customer has zero reason to say no
Bottom line
Strong cash-flow candidate with manageable operations.
Auto glass businesses repair chips and replace cracked windshields. The killer angle: in most states, windshield replacement is fully covered by comprehensive auto insurance with no deductible. That means 90%+ of customers pay nothing out of pocket. You bill the insurance carrier directly at $350-$700 per replacement. Zero price resistance. A mobile van does 6-10 jobs a day.
How It Works
Customers call or book online after chipping or cracking their windshield. You dispatch a mobile technician (or they visit a shop) to perform the repair ($50-$100) or replacement ($300-$700). You handle insurance billing directly. Shops also build contracts with auto dealers, fleet operators, and body shops for steady commercial volume.
BizBite verdict
Worth underwriting
Auto Glass / Windshield Repair has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 45% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 15 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
SBA 7(a) data
Real acquisitions in this category
Change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 811122 · Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
Deal size distribution
Deal flow over time
Financing profile
Franchise vs independent
Franchised acquisitions finance at $485K median vs $584K for independents — a −17% franchise discount. Franchises make up 17% of deals tracked.
Recent comparable deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | CA | $68K | $79K |
| Mar 2026 | AZ | $586K | $689K |
| Dec 2025 | CA | $10K | $12K |
| Dec 2025 | CA | $100K | $118K |
| Sep 2025 | CA | $253K | $298K |
| Jul 2025 | AL | $1.3M | $1.5M |
| May 2025 | FL | $975K | $1.1M |
| Apr 2025 | CA | $1.0M | $1.2M |
| Jan 2025 | CO | $501K | $589K |
| Dec 2024 | UT | $738K | $868K |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Deal Calculator
Priced off $99K SDE — can this deal service its own debt?
SDE = revenue × margin estimate for this niche; it includes owner compensation, so budget your salary out of cash flow. Excludes working-capital injection, capex reserves, and taxes. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower.
Pros
- +Insurance-covered jobs mean customers never push back on price
- +Mobile model eliminates shop lease overhead
- +Fleet and dealership contracts create predictable recurring volume
- +Low skill ceiling — technicians can be trained in 1-2 weeks
Cons
- -Insurance reimbursement rates have been declining gradually
- -Requires relationships with insurance networks (TPA agreements)
- -Parts inventory management and windshield storage take space
Best For
Customer-acquisition-focused operators who can build insurance and fleet relationships
Operating Costs
Major costs include windshield glass inventory (largest COGS), technician wages, mobile van fuel and maintenance, insurance, and billing software. Mobile operators eliminate rent entirely.
Where to Buy
Find auto glass and windshield repair businesses for sale
Browse automotive service businesses including glass repair
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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