Whether you’re running errands or simply leaving for work in the morning, odds are you want your car to be fully intact when you go to drive it. Exiting your house to find one of your car windows smashed in is definitely a bad way to start the day, to say the least. Regardless of whether it’s the result of theft or some freak accident, you’re going to have to tend to your broken auto glass. We’re here to offer some tips on what to do after your window has been broken.
1.) Call Your Insurance Company and File a Police Report
If your broken window is the result of a break-in and not some natural event, leave everything undisturbed until you call your insurance company and file a police report. Sometimes both the police and insurance companies will take all the details over the phone, and other times they will want to come to you in person to write up the report. If your situation falls into the latter, and the insurance company and police want to come in person, then clean nothing. This way, they can fully assess the situation without your interference. If they aren’t coming in person, make sure you take pictures that accurately capture the damage.
2.) Clean the Glass
One of the easiest ways to clean up shattered glass is with a vacuum, so grab a vacuum and clear as much glass as possible. You should keep in mind that when you bring your car in for a new window, the technicians at the shop will also vacuum your car. So, you don’t have to worry about getting all of the glass. Also, be sure to empty the glass from the vacuum before putting it away.
3.) Cover Your Window
Once the two previous steps are all said and done, try your best to secure the window. Doing so will help keep any elements from the outdoors, such as rain or snow, from entering your vehicle until the window can be addressed, and thus protects your interior. A couple of examples of materials you can use are clear packing tape and/or a trash bag. Various other methods can be employed to cover up your window, it just depends on which one works best for your specific situation. Just be sure not to get any of the clear packing tape on the paint of your car, as it can cause the paint to peel. Keep in mind that these are only temporary fixes. Driving around with reduced visibility puts yourself and others on the road at heightened risk of an accident.
Having all of your car windows intact is important. After all, they are there for a reason! After going through the motions of filing a report, if necessary, and cleaning up the initial mess, come see us at Glassy to get you back on the road safely.