A car that is left unprotected during a severe thunderstorm can be vulnerable to hail damage. Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to prevent your car from being dented or otherwise harmed during a significant weather event.
Bring Your Car Inside
One of the easiest ways to prevent hail damage is to bring your car indoors when you see signs of inclement weather on the horizon. If you are at home, this could mean parking a car in a garage or underneath a carport. If you are at work or school, move your car from the street to a covered parking garage.
Cover Your Vehicle
Covering your vehicle can be a fast, affordable and easy way to prevent hail stones from damaging it. If you don’t have a traditional car cover, you can use blankets to absorb most of the impact from any pieces of hail that fall on it. Alternatively, you can use floor mats to cover the front windshield until the hail lets up. While it won’t protect other surfaces from damage, you will likely be able to drive your car to an auto hail repair center after the storm passes.
Make Sure That Your Windows and Top Are Closed
If you believe that a storm is approaching, it is a good idea to make sure that the windows and top are all up. Taking these actions can prevent significant amounts of rain and ice from getting into your car. Generally speaking, wet vehicle interiors will take many hours to fully dry, and until the inside of your car is dry, there is a significant risk of mold or mildew growth.
Regularly Review Your Insurance Policies
While having insurance can’t prevent vehicle damage, it can make it easier to get your car fixed in a timely manner. Most insurance companies only pay for hail damage if you have comprehensive coverage. You will also likely be required to pay a deductible before the policy takes effect. Therefore, you may want to review your auto insurance policy once or twice a year to ensure that you have adequate coverage to protect against damage caused by severe weather.
If left unprotected, hail could damage your car to the point that your insurance company may declare it a total loss. Damage to your vehicle could also reduce its market value or take years off of its useful life. Therefore, it is critical that you cover or otherwise protect your car during severe weather outbreaks.