Broken car window? What to do right now
A shattered door, vent or quarter window cannot be repaired — side glass is tempered and breaks into small pieces — so the fix is a replacement. Until then: get the loose glass out, cover the opening, and call (248) 325-5559 for a replacement at one of our 191 shops or at your vehicle.
Right now
Brush loose glass off the seat and out of the door opening before you sit down, and wear gloves. Vacuum what you can from the seat, the carpet and the window track. Cover the opening with heavy plastic sheeting and tape it around the frame — painter's tape comes off paint cleanly. Park somewhere covered if you can, and take valuables out of the vehicle.
Why side glass is replaced, not repaired
Side window glass — including door glass, vent windows, quarter glass, and fixed side panels — is almost exclusively tempered safety glass that must be fully replaced when broken. A broken or shattered car door window, vent or quarter glass is replaced rather than repaired — tempered side glass cannot be resin-filled, so car window replacement is the only option once it has fractured.
What the replacement includes
All glass fragments are vacuumed out of the door cavity, the window track, the seat rails and the carpet. Tempered side glass shatters completely, and fragments left inside a door cavity rattle and can damage the regulator — so a thorough vacuum here protects the very parts the new glass depends on. The technician also checks the window regulator as part of every door glass replacement. More on side window replacement.
Insurance
Glass damage is covered under comprehensive coverage, subject to your deductible. We bill your insurer directly and file the claim for you at no charge.
Questions about a broken car window
How do I temporarily cover a broken car window?
Clear the loose glass, then cover the opening with heavy plastic sheeting taped around the frame; painter's tape comes off paint cleanly. It is a stopgap to keep rain and dirt out until the glass is replaced.
Can a broken car window be repaired instead of replaced?
No. Side windows are tempered glass, which shatters into small pieces, so a broken door, vent or quarter window is replaced.
Can you replace a broken car window at my location?
Yes. Side window replacement is done at our shops or mobile at your home, workplace or job site, at no extra charge for mobile service.
Does insurance cover a broken car window?
Glass damage is covered under comprehensive coverage, subject to your deductible. We bill your insurer directly and file the claim for you.
Need it replaced today?
Call us or book a visit — same-day service is available at our shops or at your vehicle.