Sitting on the side of the road with a damaged vehicle and broken auto glass isn’t on anyone’s bucket list. But, unfortunately, it’s a reality for dozens of Twin Cities drivers every day. Though no one seriously anticipates finding themselves in the middle of such a situation, being prepared for it is never a bad idea. At Only 1 Auto Glass, we know how stressful automobile accidents and auto glass damage can be. That’s why today, we’re detailing a simple series of actions you’ll need to take if you ever find yourself in the middle of a roadside emergency.
Find a Safe Location
First and foremost, make sure you and your passengers are safe. Pull off the road as far as you can safely, and make sure your vehicle is highly visible to other drivers. When you’ve stopped in a location with heavy traffic, try to locate a less dangerous spot where you can wait. If you can walk there, make sure you exit the vehicle on the passenger side to avoid oncoming traffic. Finally, if you have a pen and paper handy, it’s a good idea to tuck a note under your windshield wiper with your phone number, just in case law enforcement stops by your vehicle.
Alert Other Drivers to the Hazard
To make your vehicle highly visible to other drivers, always turn on your hazard lights before exiting the vehicle. If you have an emergency kit in your trunk, look for flares or reflective hazard triangles that you can place on the ground to alert other drivers to your vehicle’s presence.
Call for Assistance
When you’re in a safe location, contact law enforcement for help. Police vehicles’ siren lights provide a much more visible pronouncement that your vehicle is on the side of the road, so other drivers know to take caution. Officers can also help you contact a towing company and any other assistance you may require. If you plan to file a claim with your auto insurance, having a police report to refer back to can also be helpful when speaking to your insurance agent.
Contact Your Insurance Company
If your vehicle has suffered damage, and you plan to use your insurance to pay for repairs, you’ll need to contact your agent as soon as possible. If you have collision coverage as part of your policy, it should cover any type of repair that may be necessary as the result of a collision, including auto glass repair and body repair. If, however, you have auto damage caused by something other than a collision, comprehensive coverage is necessary for insurance to pay for your repairs.
Schedule Repair Estimates
If your vehicle was damaged, after you relay the appropriate information to your insurance company, you’ll need to begin pricing out repairs. Though you won’t need to do this immediately, it’s always a good idea to get started as soon as possible so you can get your vehicle back in proper working order.
If any of your auto glass was shattered, it won’t be safe to drive your vehicle until you’ve had comprehensive auto glass replacement, so that may be the first estimate you’ll want to schedule. Other repairs you may require include:
● Body panel repair
● Paint touchups
● Tire repair or new installation
● Internal vehicle inspection to locate damage that may not be visible from the vehicle exterior
● Frame repair if the damage was more severe
Keep in mind that depending on the extent of the damage, your insurance company may choose to classify your vehicle as totaled. In that case, you’ll receive an insurance check for the remaining value of your car.
Looking for Windshield Replacement? Contact Only 1 Auto Glass Today
If you’re on the hunt for a trustworthy, reliable auto glass shop, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Only 1 Auto Glass. Our 15 locations throughout the Twin Cities metro make auto glass repairs and replacement super convenient, and our 200 years of combined experience ensure high-quality workmanship and your full satisfaction. To learn more about our services or to schedule your appointment, feel free to give our team a call at 651-789-1111 or send us a message on our contact page. For your convenience, you can also request your free estimate online!