What To Do When Your Windows Are Damaged

You’ve discovered that your car has been vandalized. Or there’s been an accident in which your windows were broken or cracked. What should you do now?

Step 1. Create Documentation

Take pictures. Make a personal statement. Locate witnesses. Write down the time and place. Find as much information as possible, and keep it handy. You may need this later. If anything was removed from your vehicle, find receipts for the items taken, if you still have them. You should have as much proof as possible that these items were in your possession.

Step 2. File a Police Report

Contact the police within 24 hours, or as close to that time frame as possible. This creates an official record of the incident, and may be needed to resolve your claim. You should do this no matter how minor you think the damage is, even if nothing was stolen, as it creates a paper trail. Have your license, registration and insurance information ready at the time you make the report.

Step 3. File an Insurance Claim

Check your policy to know what’s covered. Note that you will probably have to report your claim as soon as you can to meet the rules set by your insurance company. Get your documentation ready, to help resolve your claim more quickly. Your insurance representative should be able to guide you through the next part of the process.

Step 4. Protect Your Vehicle Once the Claims Adjuster Has Assessed Damage

Cover your windows to make sure no more damage occurs. Keep your car inside or under shelter if that’s possible. Your insurance may help pay for some of this maintenance, but it will not cover damage to your interior if you fail to protect your car after your windows were broken. Do what you can to diminish the appearance of the damage.

Step 5. Have Your Vehicle Fixed as Soon as Possible

You do not need to go to the car repair shop that the insurance company recommends. Instead, do your research and visit a business that you trust. Ask questions, look for certifications, and make sure you are comfortable with the service. Have an auto glass repair company do the work, and be done with it. Having your car repaired quickly is safer and lets you return to your regular routine in a timely manner.

It’s always stressful to find that your vehicle has broken windows, but if you take the steps outlined, you can increase your chances of of making the process smoother and easier as you undergo the repair of your vehicle.

Ways to Avoid Getting a Cracked Windshield

Few car issues are more annoying than a cracked windshield, which you can see in front of you as soon as it happens. The crack doesn’t just look bad, it’s potentially dangerous - especially if it gets bigger, or distracts you from paying attention to the road. How can you avoid this type of damage to your windshield? Well, you won’t always be successful, but you can minimize your risk of getting a cracked windshield.

Heed Warning Signs

If there’s a sign saying that construction is ahead, take note and slow down to the posted work zone speed limit. Pay attention to what’s happening around you. Stay focused and alert. Watch for debris on the road, and for vehicles with loads that aren’t properly tied down.

Don’t Tailgate Construction Vehicles

The safest distance for being behind a construction vehicle is about 200 feet. If a truck is moving loose gravel, wood chips, dirt, or other materials, drivers should have them tied down under tarps - but that doesn’t always protect you, and sometimes tarps can be worn or torn. You can be hit by debris flying straight off the truck, or by rocks that are shot at your windshield after someone drives over it.

Slow Down on Gravel Roads 

Often found in rural areas, gravel roads can be hard on tires and are infamous for cracked windshields. Slow down and make sure you’re not too close to cars in front of you if you are driving along one of these to get to your destination.

Avoid Severe Temperature and Pressure Changes

If at all possible, keep your car in a garage where it’s safe from hail and bad weather. If that’s not possible, do what you can to avoid sudden and severe temperature changes. For example, warm it up properly in cold weather.

Drastic, frequent changes of this type can cause expansion and contraction in the glass, weakening its structure. Direct sunlight can cause cracks because the frit that holds the glass in place, plus the seal, are both black and absorb heat. This can make the glass less stable. And pressure changes can cause stress cracks.

Make Sure Your Car Is Well-Maintained

Sometimes, your car is the problem, because it wasn’t properly constructed, or the windshield wasn’t properly installed. Next time you visit a mechanic you trust, have your windshield checked out to make sure it is safe and sound. Inspect your windshield frequently so you can see if problems are developing.

If cracks are forming in your windshield, you should make repairs quickly because they can quickly spread and become dangerous. If that should happen, you may have to repair the entire windshield. Don’t put off the work! Visit D&I for expert auto glass repair at DandIBodyShopAndGlass.com