Damage to your vehicle’s mirror is one of many frustrations that can arise for car owners. Whether you were sideswiped in the grocery store parking lot or ventured too close to a wall, a broken mirror must be replaced promptly to keep you safe while operating your vehicle.

Be prepared to handle mirror damage ― read about how to respond and tactics you can use to prevent this problem from happening.

Common Ways Auto Mirrors Break

One of the most common ways car mirrors are damaged is by driver error. Pulling into tight parking spaces or garages can result in smashed glass or a broken side mirror component. City driving and parking is also dangerous for side mirrors, as other drivers who are attempting to parallel park may get too close to your vehicle and break off your mirror. Your side mirrors could fall victim to vandalism as well, or they could simply be a part of the total damage resulting from a car accident.

Car mirrors can also be smashed if you forget to fold them inward when entering a car wash. You could scratch or dent the glass while attempting to clean them, as some mirror glass may not be resilient or may be weakened over time.

Strategies to Prevent Auto Mirror Damage

Try to always be aware of your mirrors when assessing a potential parking space or driving in reverse. Drivers may be too focused on their rearview mirror to notice that the driver’s or passenger’s side mirrors are about to collide with a structure or another vehicle.

Always park in the safest area possible, whether in the city or the suburbs. Leave plenty of space between you and other cars and tuck your mirrors in when you leave your car parked on the street for long periods of time.

Only clean the auto mirror glass with soft, clean rags and appropriate cleaning solutions to make sure you do not harm the mirror with an unfit, abrasive cleaner.

Will Your Insurance Cover the Repair?

If the damage happened because of a car accident, whoever is at fault must pay the deductible, and the insurance company will finance the repair. Of course, if only your mirror was broken, you may want to simply fix the issue yourself if it costs less than the total for the deductible.

If you carry comprehensive coverage, this will pay for repairs resulting from vandalism, theft or any other act of God over which you have no control. But again, the insured is liable for the deductible first, and depending on the extent of the damage, it may not be financially worth it to file a claim.

Talk to Glasshopper Auto Glass about fixing vehicle mirror damage and any other broken glass in your vehicle ― you will receive fast, affordable service unmatched by the competition.

Being out of windshield washer fluid can be like driving blind, so check your level of this important cleaner regularly to make sure you don’t run out at an inopportune time. You don’t want to be up on the highway going 65 miles per hour and have an 18-wheeler in front of you splattering dirty slush left and right when you realize your washer tank is dry.

You may hear differing opinions on what type of fluid is truly best for your vehicle. What product will work most effectively at keeping your windshield clear of slush, mud and any other debris that comes its way?

Can You Use Only Water?

Don’t fall victim to this common myth. It is not a good idea to use water as your windshield washer fluid. In the summer, a tank of standing water in your vehicle is a magnet for bacteria. When you spray the infected water on your windshield, the bacteria can be transported through your air filtration system and contribute to illness.

In the winter, using water as your windshield washer fluid is a definite misstep. It will quickly freeze in the washer lines, breaking seals and requiring repairs.

Use Antifreeze Mix in the Winter

Depending on where you live, you will want to select washer fluid with the appropriate proportion of antifreeze mixed in. If you select a product with too little antifreeze, it may freeze on contact with your windshield.

Check the label ― many products clearly state the range of temperatures in which the fluid will continue to work. Having a clean windshield can save you from getting in an accident and suffering bodily harm.

Make Refilling More Convenient

In the middle of winter, you may need all the extra space in your trunk you can find, between transporting and storing holiday gifts and outdoor gear. You may not have room for a giant bottle of windshield washer fluid.

You can save space in your trunk by foregoing the gallon-sized bottles in favor of a smaller bottle of concentrated solution. When you need to refill the reservoir, mix the concentrate with the prescribed amount of water. Make sure you use the right proportions, however, as too much water can thin out the mixture and make it less effective.

For additional information on keeping a windshield clean and secure, and for all your auto glass repair needs, turn to Glasshopper Auto Glass.

You need a secure windshield to help ensure your visibility, safety and the structural integrity of your vehicle. Your windshield may be more susceptible to damage during the cold winter months, so it’s important to recognize the risk factors and take every precaution before the temperature drops.

Beware of Sudden Temperature Changes

When you walk outside to warm up your car after a night of subzero temperatures, be cautious about warming up your windshield too quickly. If a frozen windshield is hit with hot air, it can crack due to the sudden temperature change. This is even more likely if the glass already has a small chip or crack.

Turn on the car’s heating system, but don’t point the vents directly at the windshield. Instead, direct the hot air toward the passengers or the floor so the glass has the chance to warm up gradually. Also, never pour hot water on your car’s frozen glass — it can cause severe damage.

Use Proper Ice Removal Tools

Don’t use a shovel or a knife to remove ice from your car’s glass surfaces. Only use ice scrapers designed for that particular purpose. Scrape horizontally along the glass — never stab into the ice buildup in a chopping motion, or you could chip the glass underneath.

Keep Washer Fluid Tank Full

Check your windshield washer fluids regularly during the winter months, since you use it more during this time. A clean windshield is easier to see out of, and it also is easier to spot any damage that must be repaired. Also, make sure your wiper blades are equipped to smoothly brush away snow and ice. Invest in a new pair of wipers designed for winter weather before the seasons change.

Get Cracks and Chips Repaired Immediately

Get chips repaired before they turn into cracks. Cracks will only grow during cold weather. According to the Motor Industry Research Association, auto glass chips were likely to spread 80 percent of the time once the temperature dropped to 14 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Even if the temperature remained at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, glass chips spread 60 percent of the time and progress to more serious cracks.

Don’t wait — call Glasshopper Auto Glass right now to schedule repair if you spot chips or cracks in your windshield. Offering on-site mobile service at your home, work or school, our team will immediately come to your aid when cold weather affects your windshield.

Mobile windshield repair services are convenient and affordable. A local mobile windshield repair company can quickly fix your cracked or chipped windshield — and you never have to leave your current location. What makes it such a great idea? Read on to find out.

It’s a Time-Saver

When your car breaks down, you do not have the luxury of having repairs done on the side of the road. Most car troubles are extreme inconveniences to your schedule, but not all vehicle issues are the same. Mobile repairs for your vehicle glass cut down on the time you would otherwise spend driving to a shop, waiting for repairs to be done and driving home. Vehicle owners who feel like their time is already limited shouldn’t cut into it further for car repairs. Don’t lose time from work for windshield repair — or time with family, at the gym or simply relaxing.

You Will Save Money

Since you will not be driving to a mechanic for auto glass repair, you will not spend money on fuel, nor will you put miles on your car. Plus, your own time is valuable — time is money, after all. With mobile service, you will still get the same level of professionalism and skill you would find in any auto glass repair shop. The only difference? The technician comes to you.

Don’t Compromise Your Safety

Damage to your windshield increases safety risks in more ways than one. Since the crack or chip may be blocking your field of vision, you have less visibility and a higher likelihood of hitting another vehicle. Windshields do more than protect you from precipitation and oncoming objects — they also provide integral support to the vehicle’s roof. When the glass is cracked, the vehicle is more susceptible to crushing in the event of an accident.

You don’t have to put yourself at risk if you work with mobile repair technicians in your area. You can stay put and still have the problem resolved.

Immediate Results, Regardless of Location

Mobile windshield repair is flexible — that is a fact. But it may be even more flexible than you realize. You do not even have to be present to take advantage of the service. If you notice a chip in the glass while driving to work, call a team of professionals to visit your office during work hours and have the damage fixed before you risk of driving home. Wherever you are located, if the technician services your area, you are covered for all mobile auto glass repairs.

Contact Glasshopper Auto Glass today to find out more about mobile windshield repair and how you, your schedule and your finances could benefit.

An auto glass warranty assures car owners an integral part of their vehicle’s visibility and support system can be repaired for free in the event of damage. Is your vehicle covered under this type of warranty? Find out, and if not, look into whether purchasing this type of coverage would be a good choice for you and your vehicle.

New Car Warranty Coverage

If you purchased your vehicle new, the warranty included is designed to protect drivers up to a certain mileage threshold. However, new car warranties that include vehicle glass coverage normally only pay a claim when it can be proven the repair is needed due to a manufacturing defect. New car warranties will not pay for repair to a windshield that was hit with debris while you were driving. If the seal begins to leak or stress cracks appear and it can be proven no outside factors contributed to the damage, the manufacturer’s warranty may pay the cost of repair or replacement.

What Will Your Insurance Cover?

Insurance companies offer varying levels of glass repair coverage. For example, you may be able to receive free rock chip repair, but you may pay a higher annual premium for this service. Some comprehensive insurance policies may cover damage from theft, vandalism or collision with an animal, but they might only repair the windshield, not the side or back windows.

It is important to read the fine print on all insurance policy documents before agreeing to the price. Inquire if you are required to pay a deductible on windshield repair costs. In some cases, no deductibles warrant higher annual payments, but this will vary among carriers and locations. Also, ask if these types of claims stay on your permanent record, counting against you when the insurance premium is reassessed in later years.

Warranties after Auto Glass Replacement or Repair

Most professional repair shops offer a workmanship guarantee on all of their installations. If the windshield replacement shows signs of seal damage or leaking after the repair, the shop should rectify the problem at no cost to the vehicle owner. Additionally, product warranties and service plans may be available for purchase when auto glass is replaced. In most cases, purchasing a service plan add-on to a repair can save you time and money. The next time your auto glass suffers damage, you can immediately contact your provider for no-cost, fast service.

Call Glasshopper Auto Glass for timely, affordable repairs and receive high-quality, long-lasting results from your replacement windshield, sunroof, windows and all other glass parts. Ask the professional team about an available auto glass warranty, guarantee of service and how coverage can ensure your vehicle’s glass is cared for long-term.

Have you ever had a smashed windshield? It is a danger to the driver, the passengers and other travelers on the road when motorists continue to drive with an obstructed view. For this reason, it is vital for car owners to schedule a windshield replacement as soon as possible after the damage has been done.

Determine the Cause of the Damage

Most windshields smash due to a collision with another vehicle. When this occurs, either your insurance policy or the policy of the other driver involved will pay for the damage as part of the entire repair process. However, in many other cases, a smashed windshield may occur unrelated to a car accident on the roadway.

For example, a vandal may smash windshields in the neighborhood for fun. Your vehicle may be broken into and possessions stolen. A tree branch may fall onto your windshield. A flying rock might splinter the windshield while you are driving the car. It may be not only the windshield that is broken, but a side window, moon roof or back window. Whatever the case, find out the facts and write down how and when the damage occurred. If the damage is due to a crime, file a report right away with the local police department.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you have gathered the facts, contact your insurance company and find out about your coverage. Most policies cover regular glass chip repair under comprehensive coverage. Even so, some policies may require you to pay a deductible. In this case, find out how much the repair will cost prior to filing a claim. If the amounts are close, it may be more beneficial to fix the damage on your own dime rather than place a claim on your insurance coverage history, potentially triggering your rates to go up in the future.

Plan Vehicle Transport

How severe is the smashed windshield? Modern windshields are made with two panes of tempered safety glass with a thin plastic coating in between each sheet. This design ensures a high impact will cause the glass to shatter but stick to the film rather than smashing inside the car and injuring the driver and passengers. However, an extremely strong impact can completely shatter the glass and leave jagged edges behind. In this case, it is best to call a local towing company to transport the vehicle to t04he nearest auto glass repair shop. If the crack is minor and you can still maintain visibility, it is safe to transport your car on your own, unless laws in your area prohibit driving a vehicle with a cracked windshield.

Never underestimate the importance of a secure, complete windshield. It supports the structure of your vehicle frame and protects you and passengers from projectiles and other oncoming debris. Contact Glasshopper Auto Glass when you have a smashed windshield and receive prompt, professional repair service you can count on.