If you find yourself the victim of accidental or purposeful auto glass damage, you may be asking yourself whether or not you should have the damage repaired. Certainly, a spare tarp or garbage bag offers comparable protection, right?
Well, no. If your side windows are damaged, it’s imperative that you have them repaired immediately. Continuing to drive with damaged auto glass puts you and your passengers at risk. Only One Auto Glass explains how:
Makeshift Covers Don’t Offer Protection
If your side windows incur damage, your first thought may be to cover the window with an old tarp or black trash bag. While covering the window may prevent insects and other small pieces of debris from entering, it doesn’t offer any protection for you and your passengers.
If you routinely drive on roads with higher speed limits, your makeshift window covering can easily detach from your vehicle. And if that happens, you and your passengers are left at risk for injuries from airborne road debris.
What’s more, if you’re the unfortunate victim of a collision with your window covering still intact, a millimeter or two of plastic won’t prevent shattered glass or flying metal from entering the interior of your vehicle.
Ultimately, it’s in your best interest to pass on the plastic and opt for auto glass repair or a side window replacement for safety’s sake.
Water Can Damage Your Vehicle’s Electrical Components
A damaged side window puts your vehicle at a greater risk of electrical failure as a result of water damage. If you park outside, there’s no avoiding the rain, and when it comes, the interior of your vehicle will certainly get doused – and no, we don’t just mean the upholstery.
Even if you’ve covered your window with a tarp or an old sheet of plastic, water can still enter because the window is not sealed. When water makes its way inside the cabin, it can enter your center console, drip onto your electronic window controls, and even make its way behind the dash.
What happens when water accumulates around electrical wires? Those wires short out – and you’re left with substantially higher repair costs than if you’d elected a side window replacement.
You’re a Theft Magnet
If you’re driving around with a damaged side window, you’re basically sending an open invitation to burglars. That’s especially true if you park in public areas without surveillance, and even if you park in areas with cameras, surveillance may not deter a thief.
Even if your window is only cracked or chipped, the damage compromises the strength of the glass, making it much easier for unscrupulous individuals to enter your vehicle and rob you of your belongings. If you’ve opted for the glaring invitation that a tarp or sheet of plastic extends, avoiding public parking altogether is probably your best bet.
Instead of putting your vehicle and valuables at risk, take the time to schedule an auto glass repair or replacement. While such a repair may seem like an unattractive expense, a stolen vehicle or other irreplaceable valuables will make a substantially larger dent in your bank account.
Don’t have the time to sit and wait at an auto glass repair shop? You can still get service. Mobile auto glass repair technicians can meet you where you’re at and perform side glass repair on the spot.
Temporary Covers Put Other Drivers at Increased Risk
If you use a makeshift window cover, that cover doesn’t just put you at risk; it puts other drivers at risk, too. And, by extension, it further increases your risk of an accident and injuries on the road.
How? A temporary window covering can easily detach from your window’s frame, especially when you’re driving at high speeds. And if that happens, it could hit another driver’s vehicle, stick to one of their windows, and interfere with their ability to see what’s going on around them.
That driver could potentially hit your car because they can’t see or, they could hit another vehicle for the same reason. In the event of such a situation, you’d be on the hook for damages and personal injuries caused by the collision because it was your temporary window covering that caused the problem.
Steps to Take If Your Side Window Is Damaged
No matter the severity of the damage to your vehicle’s side window, it’s in your best interest to get it repaired as promptly as possible.
How do you go about doing that? Take the following steps:
- Contact your insurance company. If you have comprehensive insurance, file a claim with your insurer for auto glass repair. If you don’t have a comprehensive plan, you can skip this step.
- Get repair estimates. Visit at least three auto glass repair shops to get service estimates. Then pass them on to your insurance company, so you can get the work paid for. If you don’t have insurance, you should still get estimates to make sure you get a good price.
- Schedule the repair. Depending on the severity of the damage, you can schedule an in-shop or mobile repair. You’ll need to speak with the company to determine which option is most appropriate for your situation.
Keep in mind that weather conditions will determine whether mobile auto glass repairs are feasible, so if outdoor conditions are unfavorable, you may need to push back your appointment.
Get a Free Estimate for Side Glass Repair in the Twin Cities
To help ensure the safety and security of you, your passengers, and your vehicle, call Only 1 Auto Glass if you ever experience side window damage and need it repaired.
We’ll explain the pros and cons of each service we offer and allow you to select the option that best fits your needs. Whether it’s just a rock chip repair or a complete side window replacement, our expert technicians will have your vehicle safely back on the road in no time at all.
To schedule your service appointment, give us a call at 651-789-1111, or you can message us on our contact page. To get started right away, feel free to request your free estimate!