5 Steps To Take After A Vandal Breaks Your Window

Coming home to find a broken window caused by vandalism is a scary feeling. Even if no one broke into your home, the act of vandalism itself can feel quite violating, and your broken window can leave your home vulnerable to further crime as well as to the elements. It's important to take control of the situation and act quickly when a window is broken by a vandal. Here are five steps to take after a vandal breaks your window:

Call the Police

Even if your home was not broken into, an intentionally broken window is a criminal act and must be reported to the police. The police can check your property and home to make absolutely sure there is not a criminal present on your property and that no further damage was done. They will then complete a police report and give you a copy, which will be important when you file a homeowner's insurance claim.

If other similar acts of vandalism have taken place in your neighborhood, the police will add your incident to their investigation, which may help them catch and apprehend the perpetrator before they do more damage to people's homes or progress to more serious crimes.

Call Your Insurance Company

Once you file your police report, you will then need to contact your insurance company and file a claim so that the cost of glass repair will be covered. In most cases, your insurance agent will ask you to send them a copy of the police report as well as photos of the broken window, so it's a good idea to already have those items ready to go before you make the call.

Call a Glass Repair Company

It's crucial to have your broken window repaired immediately. A broken window is an invitation for people with bad intentions to commit further vandalism or even break into your home. In addition, a broken window allows cold, rain, or snow to get inside, quickly leading to an uncomfortable home and excessive utility bills.

A glass repair company, like Caplan Bros Inc, will be able to quickly repair the broken window, replace glass as needed, and leave your window looking like new. In many cases, the cost of window repair or glass replacement after a vandalism will be reimbursed by your insurance company.

Consider Adding Security Lights and Cameras

After your home is vandalized, it's normal to feel vulnerable and anxious. Adding motion-activated security lighting and cameras will help give you peace of mind and keep your home and family safer. A well-lit home protected by visible security cameras is much less appealing to vandals and burglars. If you add a doorbell camera, you will be able to easily see anyone who approaches your front door using an app on your cell phone, which provides additional security.

Ask About Window Replacement

While repairing your broken window immediately is an important step, this incident may be a sign that it's time to consider upgrading all of your home's windows. If your windows are old and in poor repair, they may be more vulnerable to vandalism and break-ins.

Plus, older windows tend to be much less energy efficient, allowing heat and air conditioning to escape and causing your utility bills to be higher than they should be. Strong, durable, new windows can make your home safer, more attractive, and less costly to cool and heat.

Vandalism resulting in a broken window on your property is an incredibly frustrating experience, but by following these steps you can make the best of the situation, repair or replace the broken window, and protect your home from further vandalism.


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