To protect your car from hail damage, consider the following effective strategies:
Best Protection Methods
- Park in a Garage or Covered Area: The most reliable way to protect your car from hail is to park it in a secure garage, carport, or under a sturdy awning. This shields the vehicle completely from hailstones
- Use a Hail Cover: Specialized hail covers, often inflatable or multi-layered, can significantly reduce hail impact damage. These covers typically cost between $200-$300 and can be kept in your car for quick deployment during a storm
- DIY Protective Covers: If a hail cover is not an option, thick blankets or moving quilts securely tied over the car can help absorb hail impact. Use car mats on windows to protect glass and tuck blankets into doors and windows to keep them in place
Additional Tips
- Fold Side Mirrors: Folding in side mirrors reduces their exposure to hail and protects the fragile glass parts
- Use Plywood on Roof Racks: For vehicles with roof racks, securing a plywood board on top can protect the roof from dents, though it doesn't protect windows or sides. Make sure it’s firmly secured to avoid wind damage
- Park Under Trees with Caution: Trees can provide some shelter from hail, but beware of falling branches during storms with strong winds, which can cause more damage than hail itself
- Check Weather Forecasts: Monitoring hail forecasts allows you to proactively protect your car by moving it to safer locations or preparing covers
- Insurance: Ensure your car insurance covers hail damage to mitigate repair costs if damage occurs
What to Avoid
- Do not use heavy stones to hold blankets on the car, as they can cause damage if blown by wind
- Avoid parking under weak or damaged trees during storms with wind
By combining these methods-especially using covered parking or hail-specific covers-you can greatly reduce the risk of hail damage to your car
