3 Essential Steps To Take Before You Have A Damaged Windshield
Do you know what you'd do if your windshield got broken tomorrow? Have you ever even thought about how to deal with damaged auto glass in your vehicle? While some people might have to deal with this situation fairly often, others might only have to replace broken glass in their vehicles once or twice in their lives. However, it is almost inevitable that your windshield and/or side windows will become damaged at some point. Because of this, it's a good idea to know exactly what needs to be done so that you can take care of things immediately when it happens to you. A few things you should do and/or know include the following.
Study your insurance policy: The most basic insurance policies generally will not cover auto glass replacement unless it is part of a greater repair. More comprehensive coverage will often pay for at least windshield replacement even when they won't cover replacing the other windows in your vehicle. Because of this, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your car insurance policy and to review it whenever they notify you of a change or you switch companies. You don't want to have to pay for a new windshield out of pocket if the insurance company will pay the bill for you.
Learn who to call: In a lot of instances, nobody is at fault for a damaged car window; not even you. But in some municipalities, if you're driving through a construction zone and a stray stone damages your window, the city will automatically pay for an auto glass replacement. However, it might be difficult to find out who to contact for this reimbursement. This is why you should start looking now. By the time you or one of your friends or family members is in need of this information, you'll have it available without having to go digging for it.
Know the shops: Depending on where you live, it may be impossible to learn about every single shop that offers auto glass replacement, but there is no need to do so. Once you know of three or four locations, this should be sufficient. Find out which ones will come to you, if needed, and which ones still require you to bring your vehicle in for repairs. You may also get quotes so that you have a rough idea of costs, but be aware that this price might change in the future, so you shouldn't rely on it too much; you'll have to get new estimates when your windows are actually damaged.
To learn more, contact a shop that offers auto glass replacement services.