Clear Bras over the headlight can sometimes prevent this. They do absorb quite a bit of impact, and some companies even offer guarantees saying as such.

For the $100.00 it would cost to have your lights "coated" with the material, it's worth a shot. Go with a good company that uses 3M clear bra material. It's strong quality stuff. It was invented to be used on the leading edges of airplane props to protect them against stone, bird, and debris chips.

In my experience it's worked great. I did have a rock hit my bra once, in AZ, and tear a small hole into the surface (which was replace free under the bra installer's warranty) but the surface beneath was 100% protected! It's worth every penny..

It "probably," "maybe" could have prevented this. $550.00 is not worth an insurance claim, in most cases, so it sucks. Check e-bay! There's got to be one floating around.