Stay safe first
Side and rear windows are usually tempered glass. Tempered glass breaks into many small pieces instead of large shards, but the pieces can still cut. Keep children and pets away from the car, and wear gloves before you touch anything.
If the window broke while you were driving, pull over somewhere safe before you check the damage. Turn on your hazard lights, and do not try to clear glass from the seat while the car is moving.
Why the glass breaks into small pieces
Tempered glass is heat-treated so that it crumbles into small, blunt pieces when it breaks. That makes it safer than large shards, but it also means the whole window usually breaks at once. Unlike a windshield, a broken side or rear window cannot be repaired, so it needs new glass.
If it was a break-in
- Do not touch more than you need to.
- Report the break-in to the police and keep the report number.
- Take photos of the window, the inside of the car, and the area around it.
- Make a list of anything missing.
- Call your insurer to ask how your policy handles glass and theft.
Clean up the loose glass
Wear gloves and pick up the larger pieces by hand. Then use a vacuum on the seats, the floor, and the seat tracks. Check the door pockets and the cargo area too, because pieces travel farther than you expect.
Glass often falls inside the door panel. Do not run a broken power window, because loose pieces inside the door can jam it. Let the technician check it when the new glass goes in.
Keep the rain out
Cover the opening with a sheet of heavy plastic and tape it to the frame. Painter’s tape is gentler on paint than packing tape. In New Orleans, a sudden afternoon shower can soak the seats quickly, so cover the opening even if the sky looks clear.
Secure the car until the appointment
- Park in a garage or a well-lit spot if you can.
- Take valuables, papers, and chargers out of the car.
- Keep the car locked, even with the window open.
If you have to drive before the appointment
Keep the trip short and drive at a gentle speed. Make sure the plastic cover is taped down well so it does not flap loose. Check the seat for loose glass before you sit down, and keep the other windows closed to cut down on wind and noise.
Know which window broke
Door windows roll up and down inside the door. Quarter glass is the small window near the back of many cars. The rear window often has defroster lines, and some carry the radio antenna.
Tell us which window broke and mention any defroster lines, antenna, or tint on the old glass. Those details help the team bring the right part.
What the replacement visit looks like
For a door window, the technician usually removes the inner door panel, clears out the loose glass, fits the new glass, and tests the power window. Quarter and rear glass are set into the body of the car. On a rear window, the defroster is connected again when the new glass goes in.
Insurance for a broken window
Some policies cover broken car windows, often under comprehensive coverage. Check your deductible, since it can be close to the cost of the glass. The team gives you a quote first, so you can decide whether to file a claim.
Getting the window replaced
Request service online or call us. Share your vehicle year, make, and model, which window broke, and where the car is parked. Choose Urgent / Rush if the car cannot wait.
Our mobile team replaces door, quarter, and rear glass at your home or workplace. We also work on fleet trucks and on RV and motorhome glass. The team gives you a quote after confirming your vehicle and the glass.