Hail in Paraguay: what to do if your car has broken windows.

The hailstorm of October 3, 2026 hit hard in Asunción and much of the Central Department, with reported damage in Luque, Fernando de la Mora, San Lorenzo, Lambaré, Ñemby, and other cities (Última Hora). Many cars left exposed ended up with broken windshields, rear windows, or side glasses, in addition to dents on the roof, hood, and trunk.

If your car was one of them, the most important thing now is to not rush to repair before documenting the damages properly, especially if you have insurance. In this guide, we will tell you what to do in the first hours, how to know if the windshield can be repaired or replaced, what to ask your insurer, where to consult about windshields, rear windows, and glasses in Central and in the interior, and how to protect your car next time.

Updated on October 3, 2026. After such a hailstorm, the stock of glasses, schedules, and installation times change from one day to the next. Always confirm by phone before going.

In this guide

• First hours
• What to check
• Insurance
• Windshield
• Rear window and sides
• Temporarily cover
• Dents
• Where to go
• What to ask
• Prevent
• If you are going to buy a used one
• Frequently asked questions

1. What to do in the first hours

1. Photograph and film everything. The entire car from various angles, the visible license plate, and then each glass, dent, optics, and mirror up close. If you can, add a photo of the place where it was parked.
2. If a glass is missing, protect the interior. Park under cover if you can. If not, cover the opening (we explain how below).
3. Call your insurer before repairing. Ask if you need to file a claim, if they send an adjuster, and if you need authorization or a workshop from their network.
4. Do not remove all the broken glass yet. Only take out what is about to fall. The rest, after documenting.
5. Do not drive if you cannot see well. A heavily cracked windshield or a loose glass can make driving dangerous.
6. Check more than just the glasses. Roof, hood, trunk, optics, mirrors, and moldings are also often damaged.

2. What parts of the car to check after the hail

Although at first glance you may only see a broken window, check the entire car in good light. Small dents are much better seen by looking at the body from the side, with the reflection of the sun or a flashlight.

• Windshield: impacts, stars, cracks, and breaks.
• Rear window: the glass and also the defroster lines.
• Side glasses and vents: small impacts or damaged edges.
• Sunroof or panoramic roof: glass, frame, and sealing.
• Roof, hood, and trunk: the horizontal body is the most affected.
• Optics and lights: front and rear, including the third brake light.
• Mirrors: the glass and the casing.
• Moldings, seals, and rubbers: may have been cut or detached.
• Interior: water, humidity, and glass fragments in seats, carpets, and trunk.

3. Does insurance cover hail damage?

It depends on your policy. In Paraguay, if you only have third-party insurance (liability), generally hail is not covered. More comprehensive coverages usually include it, but each insurer has its own conditions, deductibles, limits for glass, and deadlines for filing a claim.

Before changing a glass or repairing the body, ask your insurer or agent:

• Does my policy cover hail damage? And the breakage of glasses?
• What is the deductible in this case?
• What is the deadline for filing a claim?
• Do they need to inspect the car before the repair?
• Can I choose the workshop or do I have to go to one from their network?
• Do I need an order or authorization before the workshop starts?
• Do they cover the original glass or an alternative?

4. Windshield: Is it repaired or replaced?

Sometimes it can be repaired. The windshield is made of laminated glass (two layers with a film in the middle), so a pinpoint impact does not always mean it needs to be replaced entirely. Many small impacts can be filled with resin.

Normally it needs to be replaced if:

• the impact has turned into a long crack;
• the crack reaches an edge of the glass;
• there are many impacts scattered across the windshield;
• the damage is right in front of the driver, in their field of vision.

Do not decide based on just a photo: have a specialist look at it. While you wait, avoid sudden temperature changes (for example, maximum air conditioning pointing at the glass with the sun shining), do not slam the doors, and do not use the wipers on a heavily cracked glass.

5. Rear window and side glasses

The rear window and door glasses are usually made of tempered glass. When they break, they shatter into thousands of tiny pieces, as shown in the photo of this note. There is no possible repair here: the glass must be replaced.

To request the correct glass, have the following ready:

• make, model, and year;
• version or generation (in Japanese vehicles, it varies a lot);
• whether the rear window has a defroster or integrated antenna;
• whether the glass is clear or tinted;
• whether the rubber or molding was also damaged;
• photos of the car and the broken glass, and the chassis number if they ask for it.

Two cars that look the same may use different rear windows. Sending the chassis number prevents them from selling you a part that does not fit later.

6. How to temporarily cover a broken window or rear window

Ideally, leave the car under cover until the glass is installed. With the demand these days, that may take time. If you need to protect it from another rain:

1. First, take photos for the insurance.
2. Use thick gloves and eye protection.
3. Remove only the loose fragments that may fall.
4. Vacuum the glass from the interior before closing, so they do not get trapped.
5. Cover the entire opening with thick plastic (like a garbage bag or construction nylon).
6. Secure it from top to bottom, so the water runs over it and does not enter.
7. Use painter's tape or packing tape on the frame, not very aggressive tapes directly on the paint.

The plastic is only to protect the interior: it is not a solution for normal driving, and it can come off on the road. If the interior got wet, leave the car ventilated and dry the carpets and seats as soon as possible to avoid mold and electrical problems.

Can I drive with a broken windshield?

A small chip is not the same as a windshield full of cracks. If the damage obstructs your vision, if there is loose glass, or if the windshield is sunken, do not drive. Besides the danger, it can cause you problems in a traffic control. If in doubt, request towing assistance from your insurance or the workshop instead of driving.

7. What to do with dents in the body

If the hail left dents but the paint is still intact, ask about paintless dent repair (also called PDR). The technique pushes the body from the inside and often avoids sanding and repainting the part, which also better preserves the value of the car.

If the impact broke the paint, left a marked crease, or significantly deformed the body, traditional bodywork and painting will likely be needed. In any case, do not authorize a large repair before talking to your insurance.

8. Where to change windshields and rear windows

Asunción

Fernando de la Mora

San Lorenzo (border with Fernando de la Mora)

Luque

From Luque, the workshops in Mariano Roque Alonso listed below are also nearby.

Lambaré

Capiatá and Itauguá

Mariano Roque Alonso

Interior of the country

Your city not listed?

We prefer not to add a workshop just to complete a city if we do not find sufficient public information. If you are in another locality:

• first ask your insurer if they have a glass network in your area;
• consult large suppliers from Asunción if they send the glass to the interior or know a installer nearby;
• if you are searching locally, confirm that they work with automotive glass and not just construction glass.

Do you have an auto glass workshop and want to be listed here? Contact us from our contact page.

9. What to ask before buying a windshield or rear window

With the demand these days, resolve everything by phone or WhatsApp before going. Send make, model, year, version, a photo of the car, a photo of the broken glass, and the chassis number if they ask for it. Then ask:

• Do you have the glass in stock today? If not, when does it arrive and will you reserve it for me?
• Does the price include installation? And rubbers, moldings, and adhesive?
• What brand and origin does the glass have? Is it original or alternative?
• What warranty do you provide? On the glass and on the installation, in writing.
• How long do I have to wait to use the car? The adhesive of the windshield needs time to cure.
• Is it compatible with my rain sensor or camera? Does it need calibration?
• Will you clean the interior glasses? In a shattered rear window or side glass, the pieces get everywhere.

10. How to protect your car next time

In Paraguay, storms with hail are more frequent in spring and summer. Damage cannot always be avoided, but it can be significantly reduced.

Before the storm

• Follow the alerts from the Directorate of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH). When there is an alert for strong storms with possible hail, act in time, not when it is already starting to fall.
• Seek cover. Garage, shed, covered parking of a shopping mall or supermarket. If there is space under cover in your building or workplace, ask for it on alert days.
• Use a hail cover or blanket. Padded covers protect much better than a regular cover. If you do not have one, thick blankets, carpets, or tied cardboard over the windshield, rear window, and roof help.
• Do not park under trees. They may protect you from small hail, but with strong winds, fallen branches cause much more damage.
• Close windows and sunroof tightly. And if you have a camera or sensor in the windshield, this also protects the electronics.

If caught driving

• Look for a safe place under cover, like the roof of a gas station, without blocking pumps or traffic.
• Do not stop on the shoulder of a road or under a viaduct if that leaves your car exposed to a rear-end collision.
• If there is no cover, orient the car facing the hail. The laminated windshield withstands better than the side glasses and the rear window.
• Protect the people. Stay away from the windows, cover your face with a jacket or coat, and have the kids lower their heads.

Before the next season

• Review your policy. Ask specifically if it covers hail and breakage of glasses, what the deductible is, and what happens if several glasses break at once.
• Consider security films. They do not make the glass unbreakable, but they help prevent it from shattering inside the car.
• Have a kit on hand: thick plastic, tape, and gloves in the trunk to cover an opening if necessary.

11. If you are going to buy a used one in the coming weeks

After such a hailstorm, repaired cars will appear on the market for months. That does not make them a bad purchase: a well-repaired car can be perfect. The important thing is that you know it and that the price reflects it.

• Check the seals of the glasses. Each glass has the manufacturer engraved, and often a date code. If the rear window or a side glass has a different brand or date than the rest, ask why.
• Check the roof, hood, and trunk from the side, with raking light. Small undulations reveal unfinished dents.
• Look for differences in paint tone between panels. A mechanic with a paint thickness gauge can quickly clarify your doubts.
• Check for moisture and odor in the interior. If the car was left with a broken glass in the rain, it may have wet carpets, rust on the seat rails, or electrical failures.
• Request invoices for the repair and, if paid by insurance, the claim receipt.

For the rest of the inspection (documents, notary, and test drive), follow our guide on how to buy a used car in Paraguay.

If the damage was very large

If the windshield, rear window, and several side glasses broke at once, and there is also damage to the roof, hood, and optics, request complete estimates before authorizing individual jobs. This way you know how much it really costs to leave the car in good condition. If after doing the math you are thinking about changing cars, see what used car to buy according to your budget and the most reliable used cars in Paraguay in 2026.

12. Frequently asked questions after a hailstorm

Do I have to change the windshield for a hail chip?

Not necessarily. Many small impacts can be repaired with resin. It depends on the size, depth, and location of the damage, and it must be evaluated by a specialist.

Can a broken rear window be repaired?

If the tempered glass shattered, no: it must be replaced. Confirm the exact part according to model, year, and version, ideally with the chassis number.

What do I do if it keeps raining and I have no rear window?

Leave the car under cover if you can. If not, after taking the photos, cover the opening with thick plastic secured over the frame and dry the interior as soon as you can.

Does insurance cover me if I only have third-party insurance?

Generally not: third-party coverage protects the damages you cause to others, not the damages to your own car from hail. Still, check your policy, as each insurer has its conditions.

How long does it take to change a windshield?

The installation itself usually takes a few hours, but after a massive hailstorm, what takes the longest is getting an appointment and stock. Also ask how long you have to wait before driving, due to the drying of the adhesive.

Can I wash the car after the hail?

If there are cracked glasses or openings, do not use a pressure washer or high-pressure water until repaired. High-pressure water can enlarge cracks and enter the cabin.

What do I do if I can't find my windshield in Paraguay?

Consult several importers with model, year, version, and chassis number. Also ask if they can bring it by order or send it from another city to install it near you.