If you are in an area where severe weather can pop up out of nowhere and wreak havoc on your vehicle, you’re probably wondering how to protect your car from hail. If you’re caught in a hailstorm, don’t panic! Follow these simple tips and you can minimize the damage to your car.
What is Hail?
Hail is a form of precipitation that consists of balls or pieces of ice that fall from the sky during a thunderstorm. Hail can cause serious damage to your car, so it’s important to know how to protect your vehicle from this type of weather.
Here are some tips on how to do just that:
- Park in a covered area – If you can, park your car in a garage or under a carport to protect it from hail.
- Use a hail cover – If you don’t have access to a covered area, you can use a hail cover to protect your car. These covers are made of durable materials and can help deflect hail away from your vehicle.
- Move your car away from trees – During a thunderstorm, hail can fall from the sky at high speeds and with great force. If there are trees nearby, move your car away from them to avoid any falling hail hitting your vehicle.
- Bring your car inside – If possible, bring your car inside during a thunderstorm. This will provide the best protection for your vehicle against hail damage.
How Does Hail Form?
Hail forms when thunderstorms produce updrafts strong enough to lift water droplets high into the atmosphere. If these droplets cool to below freezing before they fall, they form hail.
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The Damage Hail Can Cause to Your Car
Hail is one of the most common causes of damage to cars. It can cause dents and paint chips, and in severe cases, it can break windows. Here are some tips to protect your car from hail damage:
- Park in a garage or under a carport whenever possible.
- If you must park outside during a storm, try to find a covered parking spot or park next to a large tree or building that will provide some protection.
- Use a hail cover or tarp to cover your car if you don’t have access to a garage or carport.
- If hail is already falling, pull over to the side of the road and wait out the storm. Do not try to drive through hail.
How to Prevent Hail Damage to Your Car
Hail is one of the most unpredictable and destructive weather events that can cause extensive damage to your car.
While you can’t control the weather, there are some proactive steps you can take to help prevent hail damage to your car.
Here are a few tips on how to protect your car from hail:
- Keep your car in a garage or covered parking spot whenever possible. This will help shield your car from hail and other severe weather conditions.
- When hail is forecasted in your area, try to park your car in an enclosed area such as a garage or carport. If you don’t have access to covered parking, consider using a hail-resistant car cover as an alternative.
- Avoid driving during a hail storm if possible. If you must drive, avoid areas where hail is falling and be extra cautious on the road.
- Inspect your car for any signs of hail damage after a storm and have any damaged areas repaired as soon as possible.
What to do if Your Car is Damaged by Hail
If your car is the victim of hail damage, there are a few things you can do to protect it.
First, if possible, move your car to a covered area or garage. This will help protect your car from further damage.
Second, call your insurance company to file a claim. Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine whether or not your car is totaled.
Third, if the damage is not too severe, you may be able to repair it yourself. You can purchase a hail dent repair kit from your local auto parts store or online.
These kits typically include a plunger and a dent-pulling tool. Follow the instructions included with the kit to repair the dents.
Conclusion
Hail can be a serious problem for cars, causing extensive damage. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to protect your car from hail.
Jed Lehman
Jed Lehman is a born gearhead who has been working on cars since he could crawl. He inherited his love for auto from his grandfather who owned a maintenance shop in Carlsbad, California. Jed is the driver behind Gearshift, and started this site to provide straightforward, helpful automobile information. From maintenance tips to product reviews, you can find it all here.
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