What to Do If Your Window Breaks in Seattle
A broken window is stressful, and it never seems to happen at a good time. It could be a windstorm, a stray baseball, a break-in, or a crack that finally gave out. Here's a simple, step-by-step plan for what to do next, whether you're in Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, or anywhere else around Puget Sound.
Step 1: Make the Area Safe
Before you think about repairs, think about people and pets.
Keep everyone away from the glass. Keep kids and pets out of the room until it's cleaned up.
Put on shoes and heavy gloves. Small shards travel farther than you'd expect, especially on hard floors.
Don't pull loose pieces out of the frame by hand. Cracked glass still in the frame can let go without warning. If a piece is hanging, leave it for a pro or tape it in place with painter's or packing tape.
Clean up carefully. Pick up big pieces first, then vacuum. A damp paper towel picks up tiny slivers on hard floors.
If it was a break-in, stop and call the police first. Don't touch more than you need to until they tell you it's OK.
Step 2: Document Everything Before Cleanup
If there's any chance you'll file an insurance claim, take photos and video before you clean up or cover the opening. Get wide shots of the room and the outside of the house, plus close-ups of the broken glass and anything else that was damaged. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recommends taking photos or video of the damage and calling your insurer or agent as soon as possible [1].
Step 3: Secure the Opening with a Temporary Board-Up
An open window lets in rain, cold air, and unwanted visitors. In our Seattle weather, rain alone can quickly turn a glass problem into a water-damage problem.
For a small crack: Clear packing tape on both sides can hold the glass together for a short time. It's a stopgap, not a fix.
For a fully broken pane: You need a solid temporary cover. Many homeowners can staple heavy plastic sheeting over a small opening for the night. For anything bigger, on an upper floor, or at a ground-level window where security matters, a professional emergency board-up is the safer choice. A crew can cut plywood to fit, fasten it securely, and close up the opening without making the damage worse.
The OIC says that, if it's safe, you should take steps to limit further damage, such as covering broken windows, and save receipts for temporary repairs like plywood [1]. Its homeowner insurance guide also says to protect your property from further damage and to submit temporary-repair receipts to your insurer for reimbursement [2].
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company (or Decide Not To)
Not every broken window is worth a claim. A few things to keep in mind:
Check your deductible. If the repair costs less than your deductible, a claim may not make sense.
You can ask before you file. The OIC notes you can tell your insurer you only want to know whether a loss is covered, without filing a claim [3].
Claims can affect your premium. The OIC warns that filing a claim may raise your premium, and your insurer could choose not to renew you [1][4].
Hold off on permanent repairs. The OIC advises not making permanent repairs until your insurer has seen the damage and you've agreed on repairs [1].
If it was a crime, get a police report. The OIC recommends notifying police about crime-related losses and keeping a copy of the report [3].
Step 5: Get the Glass Replaced
Once the opening is secure, you can deal with the permanent fix. Depending on what broke, that could be:
A single pane in an older window
A sealed double-pane unit (also called an insulated glass unit, or IGU), which can often be replaced without replacing the whole window frame
Safety glass in doors, next to doors, or near tubs and showers, where building code requires tempered or laminated glass [5]
A good glass contractor will measure the opening, confirm what type of glass is required, and give you a clear estimate. Custom sizes and tempered glass have to be ordered, so a sturdy board-up gives you time to do it right instead of rushing.
When to Call a Pro Right Away
Call for emergency help if:
The window is on an upper floor or hard to reach
The opening is large, such as a sliding door or picture window
Rain is coming in or the home can't be secured
It's a door, or glass near a tub or shower
You don't have the tools or materials on hand
FAQ
Is it safe to leave a cracked window overnight?A small crack that's taped and stable is usually fine for a short time. A shattered or loose pane should be covered or boarded up right away.
Do you offer emergency board-up outside business hours?Yes. True View offers 24/7 emergency glass board-up in Seattle and nearby cities including Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Kirkland, Tacoma, and Everett.
Will homeowners insurance pay for a broken window?It depends on your policy, the cause, and your deductible. Ask your insurer what's covered. The Washington OIC has free consumer guides and an advocacy line at 800-562-6900 [4].
Do I need to replace the whole window?Often you don't. In many cases only the glass or the sealed glass unit needs to be replaced, and the existing frame stays.
Need Help With a Broken Window?
True View LLC is a licensed, bonded, and insured Seattle glass and construction company (WA License TRUEVVL740KR). We offer 24/7 emergency board-up and free estimates for glass replacement, and we reply to estimate requests within 24 hours. Call (206) 699-0604 or email project@trueviewnw.com.
Sources
Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, "Winter weather and insurance coverage." https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/natural-disasters/disaster-preparedness/winter-weather-and-insurance-coverage
Washington State OIC, "A consumer's guide to: Homeowner Insurance" (PDF). https://www.insurance.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/homeowner-insurance-guide.pdf
Washington State OIC, "Filing a homeowner insurance claim." https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/home-insurance/home-insurance-claims/filing-homeowner-insurance-claim
Washington State OIC, "Insurance tips for homeowners." https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/home-insurance/how-home-insurance-works/insurance-tips-homeowners
A broken window is stressful, and it never seems to happen at a good time. It could be a windstorm, a stray baseball, a break-in, or a crack that finally gave out. Here's a simple, step-by-step plan for what to do next, whether you're in Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, or anywhere else around Puget Sound.
Step 1: Make the Area Safe
Before you think about repairs, think about people and pets.
Keep everyone away from the glass. Keep kids and pets out of the room until it's cleaned up.
Put on shoes and heavy gloves. Small shards travel farther than you'd expect, especially on hard floors.
Don't pull loose pieces out of the frame by hand. Cracked glass still in the frame can let go without warning. If a piece is hanging, leave it for a pro or tape it in place with painter's or packing tape.
Clean up carefully. Pick up big pieces first, then vacuum. A damp paper towel picks up tiny slivers on hard floors.
If it was a break-in, stop and call the police first. Don't touch more than you need to until they tell you it's OK.
Step 2: Document Everything Before Cleanup
If there's any chance you'll file an insurance claim, take photos and video before you clean up or cover the opening. Get wide shots of the room and the outside of the house, plus close-ups of the broken glass and anything else that was damaged. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recommends taking photos or video of the damage and calling your insurer or agent as soon as possible [1].
Step 3: Secure the Opening with a Temporary Board-Up
An open window lets in rain, cold air, and unwanted visitors. In our Seattle weather, rain alone can quickly turn a glass problem into a water-damage problem.
For a small crack: Clear packing tape on both sides can hold the glass together for a short time. It's a stopgap, not a fix.
For a fully broken pane: You need a solid temporary cover. Many homeowners can staple heavy plastic sheeting over a small opening for the night. For anything bigger, on an upper floor, or at a ground-level window where security matters, a professional emergency board-up is the safer choice. A crew can cut plywood to fit, fasten it securely, and close up the opening without making the damage worse.
The OIC says that, if it's safe, you should take steps to limit further damage, such as covering broken windows, and save receipts for temporary repairs like plywood [1]. Its homeowner insurance guide also says to protect your property from further damage and to submit temporary-repair receipts to your insurer for reimbursement [2].
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company (or Decide Not To)
Not every broken window is worth a claim. A few things to keep in mind:
Check your deductible. If the repair costs less than your deductible, a claim may not make sense.
You can ask before you file. The OIC notes you can tell your insurer you only want to know whether a loss is covered, without filing a claim [3].
Claims can affect your premium. The OIC warns that filing a claim may raise your premium, and your insurer could choose not to renew you [1][4].
Hold off on permanent repairs. The OIC advises not making permanent repairs until your insurer has seen the damage and you've agreed on repairs [1].
If it was a crime, get a police report. The OIC recommends notifying police about crime-related losses and keeping a copy of the report [3].
Step 5: Get the Glass Replaced
Once the opening is secure, you can deal with the permanent fix. Depending on what broke, that could be:
A single pane in an older window
A sealed double-pane unit (also called an insulated glass unit, or IGU), which can often be replaced without replacing the whole window frame
Safety glass in doors, next to doors, or near tubs and showers, where building code requires tempered or laminated glass [5]
A good glass contractor will measure the opening, confirm what type of glass is required, and give you a clear estimate. Custom sizes and tempered glass have to be ordered, so a sturdy board-up gives you time to do it right instead of rushing.
When to Call a Pro Right Away
Call for emergency help if:
The window is on an upper floor or hard to reach
The opening is large, such as a sliding door or picture window
Rain is coming in or the home can't be secured
It's a door, or glass near a tub or shower
You don't have the tools or materials on hand
FAQ
Is it safe to leave a cracked window overnight?
A small crack that's taped and stable is usually fine for a short time. A shattered or loose pane should be covered or boarded up right away.
Do you offer emergency board-up outside business hours?
Yes. True View offers 24/7 emergency glass board-up in Seattle and nearby cities including Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Kirkland, Tacoma, and Everett.
Will homeowners insurance pay for a broken window?
It depends on your policy, the cause, and your deductible. Ask your insurer what's covered. The Washington OIC has free consumer guides and an advocacy line at 800-562-6900 [4].
Do I need to replace the whole window?
Often you don't. In many cases only the glass or the sealed glass unit needs to be replaced, and the existing frame stays.
Need Help With a Broken Window?
True View LLC is a licensed, bonded, and insured Seattle glass and construction company (WA License TRUEVVL740KR). We offer 24/7 emergency board-up and free estimates for glass replacement, and we reply to estimate requests within 24 hours. Call (206) 699-0604 or email project@trueviewnw.com.
Sources
Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, "Winter weather and insurance coverage." https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/natural-disasters/disaster-preparedness/winter-weather-and-insurance-coverage
Washington State OIC, "A consumer's guide to: Homeowner Insurance" (PDF). https://www.insurance.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/homeowner-insurance-guide.pdf
Washington State OIC, "Filing a homeowner insurance claim." https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/home-insurance/home-insurance-claims/filing-homeowner-insurance-claim
Washington State OIC, "Insurance tips for homeowners." https://www.insurance.wa.gov/insurance-resources/home-insurance/how-home-insurance-works/insurance-tips-homeowners
International Residential Code Section R308.4, Hazardous Locations (summarized in Boulder County Publication B-30, "Safety Glazing"). https://bouldercounty.gov/property-and-land/land-use/building/building-publications/b30-safety-glazing/
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