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How can I temporarily cover a broken car window?

My kids were playing roller hockey in the driveway last night and a stray puck managed to find its way through my rear passenger-side window. I don’t have time to get it replaced before work in the morning, so I was wondering how I can temporarily cover the broken window until I get it over to the glass repair shop after work.

avatar
Jack Walsh · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
To temporarily cover a broken car window, you will need the following:
  • Work gloves
  • Some plastic covering (a garbage bag will work)
  • Cleaning materials
  • Masking tape (or another tape that won’t damage the car’s paint)
Once you have gathered your materials, you are first going to have to remove all the broken glass you can, including any remaining in the window. Gently break away all the glass you can and safely dispose of it.
Next, clean the area around the window where the plastic and tape are going to be laid down. Then, fold or cut the plastic so it fits over the entire broken window. A few layers of plastic may be beneficial to keep out any rain and prevent it from ripping.
Finally, tape the plastic in place. Start with a few pieces to hold the plastic in place and then apply enough tape to strongly secure the window to make it rain and windproof.
Before bringing the car in for repairs, contact your insurance company or check your policy’s
declaration page
to see if window repairs are covered. If broken windows are covered, check to see if you have a lower deductible than your comprehensive coverage.
Now that you are taking a look at your policy’s coverage, it may be a good time to search around for quotes and make sure you aren’t overpaying for car insurance.
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