Sudden and unexpected hailstorms can damage your automobile easily. According to the National Weather Service, it takes a hailstone-sized golf ball (1.75 inches) to damage a vehicle, and even a hailstorm that only lasts for a few minutes can damage your car and cost you a lot of money for repair. To help you avoid this, here are the best ways to prevent hail damage:
1. Be Aware of Your Local Weather
It is no secret that damage prevention is far better than needing a cure. Even if hailstorms are a rarity in your area, it pays to be prepared for what to expect, even if that preparation only requires an umbrella most of the time. Make it a habit to check the weather in your local area. You can do this by watching the weather forecast ahead for the week/weekend and downloading weather apps to give you notifications. Checking weather reports will provide you with a hint of what to expect, and whether or not the expected conditions could result in hail stones. Being aware of the weather is the first step to helping you avoid hail damage.
2. Use Overhead, Closed Parking
The best way to protect your car from hail damage during a hailstorm is to park it inside a garage. However, not all homes, apartments and places of employment have garages. If this is the case, consider getting a carport or trying to find alternative solutions that will enable you to protect your vehicle. You can also rent complexes that provide parking on a weekly or monthly basis. It would be best to park your car with the windshield facing the direction the hail of falling from to protect it from hail damage.
3. Purchase a Car Cover
Even though a car cover might not be the best protector, it is ideal for unexpected hail when you are not at home or near any closed parking space. A typical car cover is a thick protective fabric that matches your car’s size and dimensions. It is easy and quick to fix – you can throw it above your car and cover it as soon as hail starts falling. Though keep in mind this does require you to cover your vehicle in advance or be close enough to place the protective layer on should a hailstorm arrive to prevent hail damage.
4. Acquire a Hail Protector
If you are always on the road or live in an area with frequent hailstorms, you might want to consider buying an auto hail protector. A hail protector is an inflatable cover used to protect cars from hail. It inflates around your car like a carport, creating a barrier that cushions the impact and preventing dents and serious damage. It can protect vehicles from not only golf ball-sized hail but also softball-sized hail.
5. Use Cushioned Items as A Last Resort
It is common to see people covering their cars with blankets, thick rugs and carpets shortly after hail announcements. Using heavy well-cushioned items like blankets and carpets is an intelligent way to shield your car from hail when you have no other alternative. Lay these items on top of the car, on the windshield and around your windows. Note that your safety is a more important priority than covering your vehicle; if hail is already coming down, it may be more practical to stay indoors instead of risking personal injury running out into a hailstorm. Use your best judgment – be sure to stay safe and protect yourself as the first priority.
With these tips in mind, your car can remain protected in the event of a hailstorm. Proper preparation can reduce the risk of serious dents and costly paint damage from the hail stone impacts. Be sure to pass on these tips to family, friends and neighbors if they also need help protecting their vehicles! But if you’re unable to prepare in time and your car does sustain hail damage, Dent Shop has your back. Contact us today for a free hail damage repair estimate.