Are you unsure of what you can do or employ to keep your car secure during a hailstorm? Why not use car covers? Can car covers protect against hail damage? Continue reading.
High-quality car covers can protect against hail damage. You’ll require a cover with impact-absorbing qualities to protect the exterior of the car from sharp pellets.
Of course, some of the largest pellets can be as large as grapefruits and can fall at speeds of over 100 mph, causing damage to any car cover. So, in the article, I will also give the best tips for protecting from hail damage.
When and Where Hail is the Most Prominent
Although they tend to occur more frequently from May to July, hailstorms can occur at any time of the year. Even though the fall and winter are mild in comparison to the summer, they can still come as a surprise to people. This raises the question of why it is more common to experience icy hail during the summer when it is hot. According to WeatherBug, “surface temperatures are warm enough to promote the instability associated with strong thunderstorms, but the upper atmosphere is still cool enough to support ice.”
If you reside in Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, or South Dakota—the five states with the most hailstorms in 2019—you should be especially vigilant for storms. According to the Insurance Information Institute. Contrary to the western U.S. is relatively safe with infrequent hail storms and the middle of the U.S. is nicknamed “Hail Alley” and typically gets hit more often than other parts, it is important to know that hail can happen anywhere if the temperature and other weather conditions are sufficient for it.
How Expensive Hail Damage Can Get
Nobody wants to be responsible for paying for their car’s hail damage. The cost will increase as the damage increases, but even minor damage can cause problems for bank accounts. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that between 2008 and 2014, insurance companies likely spent $7.26 billion on hail damage repair. Of course, those who are not covered by insurance or who decide to pay the bill in full without filing an insurance claim are not even considered in this.
After a hailstorm, some people attempt to fix their cars on their own, but this is rarely successful and frequently causes more harm than good. Some people attempt to remove dents using the temperature changes that dry ice or hair dryers can produce, but these only work on minor dents that have caused little damage (assuming they work at all). Do-it-yourself kits for hail damage are typically sold in auto supply stores for around $100, but they are frequently very labor-intensive and ineffective, particularly if a car has numerous dents. However, it is best to enlist the assistance of a specialist, which is very expensive.
The typical expense to repair hail damage is about $2,500. A vehicle may sustain damage from hail in several different places, each of which is expensive to repair. Repairing a small dent can run you about $40, and the cost rises dramatically for even bigger dents. If the hail has broken your windshield or windows, the cost will be even higher. Hail can also damage your headlights and taillights, which may seem minor but can significantly raise the overall cost.
Expect a hefty bill that may even exceed the value of your car if the body panels or roof of your car need to be replaced.
The total cost for you to repair a hail-damaged car will ultimately depend on the number and size of dents, whether or not the dented areas will need to be repainted, and whether or not the storm also destroyed any windows, the windshield, mirrors, lights, or other items. If the storm was particularly severe, it might end up costing you more in the long run than your available options for protection.
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The Best Tips for Protecting from Hail Damage
Here’s how to shield your car from hail this spring and reduce the amount you spend on repairs.
Buy a Hail Car Cover
Against hail, are car covers effective? Yes, if you don’t have a garage or even a covered parking space that you paid a fortune for, a hail protection car cover may shield your car from damage such as cracked windows and dings from hail. Alternatively, the worst case scenario for your car is minor hail damage.
You have a variety of choices for hail covers, including pricey items like this inflatable hail car cover, the Hail Protector System ($400), and less expensive options like this multi-layer cover ($70).
OEM car covers that are made to perfectly fit your specific model are what we advise. We would be happy to assist you in finding a hail-proof car cover or truck cover even though our collision repair centers in Kansas City repair hail damage. Give us a call if you need help. Check for How to Use a Car Cover?
Try a “Hail Blanket”
Your vehicle’s hail cover purchase is an investment. You might consider using a heavy blanket in place of that cover to save money. Make sure to tuck the blanket ends into the door, under the hood, inside the trunk lid, and even in the windows to ensure your car is adequately protected from hail. Make sure you can access the door handles to get back into your car after the storm has passed by closing them securely.
Note: Do not duct tape blankets to your vehicle! Some other “how to protect your car from hail” articles may suggest this, but it’s not good advice. Duct tape’s adhesive can certainly strip paint off cars, and once the hail stops, it will be challenging to remove the tape itself. Use the strategies mentioned above to get the best hail protection from a blanket.
Cardboard Boxes Work
Making sure the cardboard is thick and sturdy is the only requirement when using it as a hail protector. Rain will probably follow the hail, and when it does, thin, inexpensive cardboard will utterly crumble. Better hailstorm survival is provided by a thicker cardboard panel, such as that found on a corrugated appliance box.
Consider attaching strings or bungee cords to door handles and pulling them over the roof to secure each side of the cardboard to your car to support it.
Know Where the Closest Indoor Parking Garage Is
If you are simply unable to hail-roof your car—whether for lack of time, resources, or just a general sense of post-2020 apathy—you should spend the small amount of money necessary to park it in a nearby garage or covered lot. The $5 or $10 charge is considerably less than the price of hail dent removal or paintless dent repair.
Put Plywood on Your Roof Rack
If your SUV has crossbars or a roof rack, you can get a cheap 6-foot-long plywood board and attach it to the top. This will provide some protection from hail dents on your roof, hood, and windshields, but you’re still vulnerable to shattered windows and mirrors as well as dents along the side of the car.
Note: It’s important to secure the plywood properly! Flat items like plywood will be under a lot of stress in windy conditions, and if they are not properly secured, they could end up doing more damage than the hail itself. It may also shatter into pieces and fly into nearby buildings, cars, or other structures.
Always Have Adequate Insurance Coverage
Does hail damage get covered by car insurance? You should be protected if you chose full comprehensive auto insurance. However, if you only have an auto liability policy, you’ll probably have to pay for repairing hail-damaged windshields or dented bumpers. If you want to be financially protected from hail, make sure to talk to your insurance agent before spring.
Read about Best Car Cover for Hail
Conclusion
As you can see, hail can cause a lot of damage to your car and cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs. Therefore, the best course of action is always to avoid having hail damage occur. The best option is to install a carport or park under a safe structure, but car covers and inflatable hail protection systems can also be wise investments to guard against major damage to your car.
Thank you for reading.
