What to do if…
your car window is shattered and you need to secure the vehicle

What to do now

1. Check for immediate danger. Move away from the vehicle if the incident may still be happening or the area feels unsafe. Call 911 for an emergency, including an immediate threat or urgent injury.
2. Check for injuries. Look for cuts or glass in an eye. If glass is stuck in an eye, do not try to remove it; seek medical help right away. Get appropriate medical help for any other injury that needs care.
3. Photograph the damage before cleaning. If it is safe to do so, take wide photos of the vehicle and surroundings, then close-ups of the broken window, glass inside the vehicle, visible damage, and any disturbed areas.
4. Contact the local law enforcement agency where the incident happened. For a non-emergency theft or property-damage report, use the agency’s non-emergency phone number or online reporting route if one is offered. Follow the agency’s instructions and save any report or confirmation number.
5. Notify the parking-site contact if there is one. In a managed lot, garage, apartment complex, workplace, hotel, campus, or store lot, ask security or management to record the incident and preserve any available video.
6. Check what is missing. Look for wallets, IDs, cards, keys, garage remotes, work badges, electronics, documents, and anything that could provide access to an account or building. Contact the relevant issuer or provider promptly if a card, key, ID, or account-access item is missing. Use the official identity-theft resource if personal or financial information may be misused.
7. Secure the opening while the vehicle is safely parked. Remove remaining valuables. If you can do so without handling sharp glass, fit a temporary plastic cover while the vehicle is parked, or ask a repair provider for help. Do not drive with a cover that is loose or affects visibility. Check local driving rules or ask a repair provider if you are unsure whether the vehicle can be moved safely.
8. Clear only what is needed for safety. If you need to move the vehicle and it is otherwise safe to drive, use gloves and a brush or cardboard to clear glass from the driver seat, pedals, seatbelt latch, and controls.
9. Arrange repair and check your insurance. Ask your insurer whether your policy covers the damage, whether a report number is needed, and whether there are repair instructions. Comprehensive coverage generally covers vandalism, theft, and broken glass. Ask your insurer how your policy and any deductible apply. For a leased, financed, company, or fleet vehicle, check the relevant agreement or fleet instructions.