A bear broke into our Tahoe house through a window or slider — now what?

The full picture

First, be sure it left — bears usually exit the way they came when they hear people, but check before entering rooms, and never block the exit path of a bear that's still inside (call the Sheriff's non-emergency line if one won't leave). Then photograph everything before cleanup: the broken slider, the raided kitchen, paw prints. Bear damage is generally a covered sudden peril under homeowners policies, and Tahoe adjusters have seen hundreds of these.

Speed matters more than usual here. A bear that scored a meal remembers the address, and an open or cardboarded slider is no obstacle. During business hours we prioritize these board-ups; the permanent fix is a properly tempered replacement unit — and this is the moment to consider laminated glass, which holds together in its frame even when broken, the way a windshield does. It won't stop a determined bear (little does), but it removes the easy, quiet entry.

The rest is bear-country hygiene the Tahoe agencies preach: nothing scented visible through glass, kitchen cleaned before you leave, trash in a bear box, ground-floor windows latched — an unlatched slider might as well be a door handle. We'll happily walk the glass side of that checklist during any estimate, no charge.

Every house and pane has its wrinkles — a two-minute call gets you a straight answer for yours, and estimates are always free: (530) 544-5884. Or send photos with the form for a same-business-day ballpark.