Have you ever experienced a break-in or vandalism to your vehicle? Did you begin to panic and ask yourself what you should do? Vandalism and vehicle break-ins happen every single day and it’s an unfortunate reality we live in. Thousands of cars each day see damage because of something valuable that may have been left behind or maybe your car was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When vandalism or a vehicle break-in occurs, Auto Glass Doc wants you to know what to do when you’re put in a situation like this.

The majority of these acts are done by breaking in or shattering the vehicles windows. In most cases, the auto glass on the car is what you typically see damaged or destroyed. At Auto Glass Doc we have seen it all and we want to give the best advice and steps moving forward when vandalism or a break-in happens to you.

What to Do First

If you haven’t been in a situation where your auto glass has been broken due to a break-in or vandalism, it’s important to not panic. The first thing you should always do is call the authorities and get to an area you feel safe in. If you can, find someone you can wait with, go to the nearest store, or find a safe location. The offender could potentially still be in the area.

When the police arrive at the scene, you may feel lost or discouraged because you wish there was a way you could have prevented the offender from choosing your car. You may feel like it’s more money out of your pocket. What you can do next is get on the phone with your insurance provider. They can walk you through steps to take and guide you in a direction that will help you get your auto glass fixed in no time. Once you have gotten a police report, call your insurance provider and validate your insurance claim. From there, you should have a smooth ride to get your auto glass repaired.

Don’t Forget to Document the Damages

A situation like this can be frustrating but it’s crucial you have all of the pieces. Take as many photos as you can of the auto glass damage. The photos will provide some proof when dealing with your insurance provider. Insurance companies typically have requirements that you should meet when a situation like this happens. Anything and everything you see different about your car should always be reported. Valuables, money, what windows on the car were damaged, etc. With a police report on file and photos or videos of your own, the process of getting your auto glass repaired will go a lot smoother.

Take Certain Precautions

You aren’t always going to be able to prevent the worst from happening to your car but if you have ever experienced a break-in or vandalism you know to be extra cautious after an incident. Here are a few steps to take to prevent future auto glass damage to your vehicle:

• Park under well-lit areas
• Remove any visible belongings you may have in your car
• Lock all of your doors although this may not prevent someone from breaking a window
• Avoid leaving your car unattended for several days
• Don’t park your car in garages for more than a few hours
• If you have a garage at home, use it

How Much Is It Going to Cost to Repair Auto Glass Damage?

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute, the average cost of a vandalism claim is around 1,500. In some cases, it depends on a couple of different factors.

• The car you drive
• If you are planning on replacing the auto glass or repairing a few of the spots damaged
• Labor costs which varies in different region
  Whether or not your windows open manually or automatically
• Costs may vary depending on the type of auto glass you’re getting replaced

Something you should keep in mind is if you have comprehensive insurance with your auto insurance policy you will most likely be covered if your auto glass was damaged due to vandalism. But, one thing to remember is these policies usually come with a deductible that you will have to pay before your policy kicks in. With that being said, it may make more sense for you to pay out of pocket but understanding the insurance aspect of things is very important when going through a situation like this.

Not all policies are going to be the same and not all damages seen with break-ins will be as bad. Pricing will always range, but one thing to know while setting up your auto glass replacement is that Auto Glass Doc has you covered.

Why Choose Auto Glass Doc for your auto glass repair and replacement?

We understand that uncertain things can happen and the frustration of it can be overwhelming. Auto Glass Doc is here to give you the advice and proper steps to take when you bring your car in after it’s been damaged due to a break-in or vandalism. We want to give your vehicle the proper care it needs, and we want it done quickly. Auto glass repair can be a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be.