What to Do When You Have a Smashed Windshield

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.