Finding a smashed side window is a rotten way to start the day. The glass is all over the seat, something may be missing and you're not sure what to do first. Here's the order we'd suggest, followed by what we do when the car comes in.
Right away
- Check you're safe. If you think whoever did it is still nearby, stay away from the car and call 000.
- Don't touch the broken glass with bare hands, and keep kids and pets away. The pieces are small and blunt, but they're still sharp enough to cut.
- Take photos before you move or clean anything. Get the door, the broken window, glass on the seats and floor, and anything that's been disturbed or damaged inside.
- Make a list of anything missing. Do it while you're calm, because it's easy to forget something.
Report it
If it was a break-in, report it to the police. Insurers commonly ask for a police report or event number for theft and damage claims. Check what your own insurer expects, because the requirements differ between policies.
A non-urgent report can often be made by phone or online. Keep the reference number somewhere safe.
Cover the opening and clear what you can
An open window lets the rain in and invites a second break-in. Cover it with heavy plastic sheeting or a strong rubbish bag and tape it to the inside of the door frame. Use masking tape or painter's tape where it touches the paint, and don't leave it baking in the sun for days.
Vacuum the seat and floor carefully if you want to use the car, but don't expect to get every piece. Don't try to wind the window up or down. Broken fragments in the run channel can scratch what's left of the glass, and the regulator can be damaged.
Why side windows shatter
Most side glass is tempered. During manufacture it's heated and cooled quickly so that the outer surface is under compression. A tempered window is strong against everyday knocks, but once the surface is broken it crumbles into small, mostly blunt pieces. That's by design: it's meant to reduce the risk of serious cuts.
A windscreen is different. It's laminated, with a plastic layer between two sheets of glass, so it cracks but stays in one piece. Some vehicles use laminated glass for the side windows too, usually for noise or security, and that's why a break-in on those can leave a cracked pane rather than a shower of cubes. We check which your car has.
Either way, side and rear glass can't be repaired. Tempered glass has nothing to patch, and a cracked laminated side window is a replacement job too.
What the replacement involves
- Identify the glass: we match the shape, tint and any extras for your vehicle.
- Strip the door trim so we can get to the cavity.
- Clear out the broken glass from the cavity, run channels and seals, not just the part you can see.
- Check the window regulator and seals while the door is open.
- Fit the new glass and check the window runs up and down smoothly.
- Clean and vacuum the cabin before the vehicle goes back to you.
The cavity clean-out matters. Left behind, small pieces rattle inside the door for months. The side and rear glass page covers the steps, and the FAQ has more on break-ins.
Side-window replacement doesn't normally affect the windscreen camera or driver-assist systems. The forward camera sits behind the windscreen, and blind-spot and parking sensors are mostly in the bumpers and mirrors. If your vehicle is an exception, we'll say so when we check it.
Insurance notes
- Check what your policy covers for glass and break-ins, and whether an excess applies. Policies differ.
- Ask your insurer whether you can choose the repairer, and what they need from you.
- Bring the claim number and the police report details if you have them.
- Keep your photos and the list of missing items together with the invoice.
We're happy to work with insurance claims, so mention it when you enquire. Our approach is to tell you what the vehicle needs, then let you sort the paperwork with the people you're insured with.
If your window's been smashed, send us the make, model and year and we'll tell you what glass your car needs and when we can fit it.
