3 Steps to Take When Your Windshield Is Damaged By Vandals

In a perfect world, each person would respect the next person's property, but things have not quite reached this level. As a victim of vandalism, you know this truth all too well. A shattered windshield at the hands of someone else is an unfortunate situation, but some steps must be followed right away to get your windshield repaired and to protect your safety. 

1. Call the Police

Contact the police to file a formal police report. Having a police report is very important if you want the insurance company to cover all, or at least a portion, of the windshield replacement cost. Vandalism is manmade damage, it is not caused by the weather, an accident, or another mishap. 

As a result, as crazy as it sounds, there is no proof that you did not cause the damage yourself without a formal police report. Without the report, the insurance company is likely to deny your claim and the person who is responsible for the damage is less likely to be found and brought to justice. 

2. Seek Alternate Transportation

You must seek alternative transportation for the immediate future. It is not safe to drive a vehicle that has a broken windshield. A small chip or crack in the glass jeopardizes its integrity and makes it more susceptible to completely shattering when driving at high speeds or even hitting a pothole. 

If minor damage can cause this sort of concern, you can only imagine the risks involved with the level of damage your windshield as suffered. It is worth noting that in many places you can also receive a citation if you drive a vehicle in this condition, so not driving is the best option all around. 

3. Contact a Replacement Professional

Reach out to a windshield replacement company to have the glass repaired. Many of these businesses offer mobile services, so you do not have to worry about getting your car to the repair shop. If you have auto insurance, you have your police report and you have filed a claim, you should be able to provide the repair company with the claim number. 

The repair shop will coordinate with the insurance company and let you know what you have to pay out-of-pocket. If you do not have insurance, you can work directly with the repair shop. Either way, a technician can quickly replace the glass and get you back on the road safely. 

If your windshield is damaged, you must have it replaced as soon as possible, as your safety depends on it. Contact a windshield replacement company to learn more.