Parking your car outside always comes with a risk, especially when foreign objects could damage your vehicle unexpectedly. A shocking situation happens when, after leaving your car parked on the street, you return to find one of the windows or the windshield completely shattered.
When you don’t know the cause of the incident, it is essential to follow steps to handle this situation responsibly. Finding your windshield broken is never a pleasant experience, but everything has a solution as long as you are willing to find it.
Remain Calm
It always comes as a shock to find something perfectly fine shattered, especially when it leaves your vehicle and belongings vulnerable. First, ensure that you are not in a dangerous situation by scanning your location and inspecting the damage to your car. Do not touch or remove any of the glass because you can get injured.
Think About Possible Causes
Various situations could cause damage to your car; outdoor threats are constant, and it’s hard to shield your vehicle from all of them. When you find a broken windshield, think about the possible causes; here are some of the most common:
- Vandalism
- Bad weather
- Rocks and pebbles
- Poor installation
- Excessive heat
Determining the possible cause will give you some peace of mind and answers to what to do next to get your windshield fixed.
Take Pictures or a Video
Documenting the damage as proof of the incident is important in case you need to file a police report or give proof to your insurance company. Keep everything as it is, do not touch anything, and try getting every last detail in the pictures or video. Experts have good eyes and can determine the cause by examining certain characteristics.
Determine if You Can Drive
Before moving your vehicle, you must ensure that driving is possible and nothing else suffered from this situation. If the driver seat is covered in glass, you will need to clean it after taking pictures and videos. You have two options to fix this problem, in-store or mobile windshield replacement, which will take care of the situation depending on the severity of the damage.
Contact Your Insurance
Depending on the type of insurance you have on your vehicle, it can cover the total cost of the windshield replacement. Contacting your insurance is essential because they will guide you through handling the situation and providing possible solutions. They will make an appointment with local shops to find the best deals.
