It’s 11 PM and your phone just lit up with an alarm notification. Someone — or something — put a hole in your store window. You’re staring at a security camera screenshot of broken glass and an open storefront.

What you do in the next hour determines how much additional damage, theft, and liability you’re exposed to. Here’s the step-by-step process for handling a broken store window after hours in LA.

Step 1: Call the Police First

Before you rush to the store, file a police report. If it’s a break-in, the intruder may still be nearby. Let LAPD or your local PD clear the scene first. You’ll also need the police report number for your insurance claim — even if nothing was stolen, the glass damage itself is typically covered under commercial property insurance.

Step 2: Document Everything Before Touching Anything

Once the scene is safe, photograph and video everything:

• The broken window from outside (full view and close-ups)
• Interior damage, scattered glass, displaced merchandise
• Any evidence of entry or attempted theft

Your insurance adjuster will use these photos to process your claim. Your phone camera is fine — just be thorough.

Step 3: Call a 24/7 Emergency Board-Up Service

This is not a “wait until morning” situation. Every hour your storefront is open to the street means exposure to theft, weather damage, and liability if someone gets injured by exposed glass.

A professional board-up crew will secure the opening with plywood or polycarbonate panels, remove broken glass, and make your building safe overnight. They’ll also measure the opening for permanent replacement glass so fabrication can start immediately.

Companies like The LA Glass Company (https://thelaglass.com/emergencyboardupservice/) operate 24/7 across LA County for exactly these situations.

Step 4: Contact Your Insurance Company

Report the loss to your insurance carrier as soon as possible. Have ready: the police report number, your photos, and the estimate from your glass company. Most commercial policies cover glass replacement, board-up costs, interior damage, and sometimes business income loss during repairs.

Step 5: Plan the Permanent Replacement

Standard storefront glass typically takes 1–3 business days to fabricate after measurement. Custom sizes, tempered or laminated glass, or specialty configurations may take longer. Your glass company should give you a clear timeline during the board-up visit.

Prevention for Next Time

Consider upgrading to laminated glass (holds together when broken), adding security film to existing glass, or installing bollards if vehicle impact is a risk. Your commercial glazier can advise on the best options for your location.

Need emergency glass service in Los Angeles right now? Call The LA Glass Company at 310-736-4374 — available 24/7.