When a driver notices that they have damaged auto glass, it most commonly happens to the front windshield. However, that doesn’t mean that people don’t struggle with maintaining their rear window.

Whether some neighborhood punk decided it would be funny to go around smashing car windows, or you got rear-ended at a stop light, many residents quickly get reminded how vulnerable their glass can remain. It isn’t until you need to contact your insurance company that you realize how much of a hassle it can stay.

The typical driver becomes surprised to learn that their rear windshield doesn’t get manufactured from the same type of glass as their front-facing counterparts. Instead, the same safety glass that gets used for your side passenger windows is what most car makers depend on for rear windshield units.

As a result, it won’t have the level of density or offer as much protection as your front windshield, which makes sense as it faces away from where you’re driving. Unless something severe strikes you from behind, you likely won’t have issues with it breaking.

The reason why front windshields can often get repaired rather than replaced in many situations is that it utilizes a thicker, denser glass system. Your front surface gets made from laminated glass, which creates a more shatter resistant product.

Unlike the front, your rear window gets manufactured from safety glass, which gets tempered so that when it breaks,

Unlike other glass surfaces throughout your vehicle, it seems as if many drivers have problems with their rear windows before any other panes get damaged. And in many situations, it looks as if there is no rhyme or reason why their back window broke in the first place, making it even more of a challenge to take care of it fast.

When you don’t understand what leads to the damage, you aren’t sure which insurance company to call. And if you try and file a report with your local police, they likely can’t do anything to help.

The reason why many rear glass windows shatter seemingly by themselves is often extreme levels of trapped heat inside of your vehicle. If you leave your car outside underneath the searing New Mexico sun, you’re creating an oven that is baking against your windows.

Once you slam your driver side door hard enough, the heated back glass quickly shatters. Thankfully, even if you don’t know why your rear windshield broke, our technicians are still the best choice for your replacement services.

In general, most windshield laws refer to the front-facing auto glass and are typically more relaxed for the back panel. Although you should always check with a lawyer or other professional source for advice, you likely could get away without replacing it for at least a little while.

However, the longer that you wait to replace your rear windshield, the longer you are keeping yourself and your vehicle at risk for harm. Intruders can easily climb in through the back, as well as rainy weather, dirt and debris, and even wildlife and pests.

Even if you were to cover the back opening with plastic sheeting or cardboard, it isn’t a reliable, or safe, long-term repair. Only by replacing your rear window can you guarantee that the outside elements will remain outdoors.

Your legal adviser may discover that you aren’t breaking the law, but the police may still stop you for a busted rear windshield. Whether you hand over a citation for staying an unsafe driver or they use it as probable cause, a broken back window will only lead to the wrong sort of attention from others.