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What You Need To Know To Protect Your Vehicle From Hail Damage

6 April 2018

Christian Byrd

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, there were over 6,000 hailstorms across the nation in 2017. Hail can cause catastrophic damage to both homes and automobiles.  While you can only do so much to protect your home during a hailstorm, there are far more measures that you can take to protect your vehicle. This article will explain what type of damage a hailstorm can do to your vehicle as well as how you can protect your vehicle from hail.

What Type of Damage Can a Vehicle Endure from Hail?

During a hailstorm, pieces of hail can range significantly in size and can cause very minor damage to your vehicle to notably major damage. The hail can result in dents in various areas of your vehicle, including the hood, trunk and roof. It can also chip, crack or break your windshield, mirrors or windows. In some cases, it may even cause your doorjambs to become stuck.

How Can You Protect Your Vehicle From Hail Damage?

When there is a hailstorm in the forecast, there are numerous things that you can do to protect your vehicle from harm. Here are a few of them:

• Pull all motorized vehicles (cars, recreational vehicles, boats, etc.) into your garage, under a carport, or into/under a covered or protected area.
• If hailstorms are common in your area, consider investing in a car blanket. Otherwise, you can use some old blanket s. Use duct tape to secure them to your vehicle.
• If you happen to be driving when the hailstorm hits, find a safe area to pull over and remain inside the vehicle until the hail stops completely. Make sure to stay away from the windows.

What Should You Do After the Hailstorm?

Once the hailstorm is over, inspect your vehicle carefully for any signs of hail damage. If you notice any damage, you will need to contact your insurance company to file a claim. As a general rule, hail damage is one of those things that is covered by comprehensive insurance, which is not a mandated type of coverage for you to carry on your vehicle unless you are financing it.

]Therefore, if you live in an area where hailstorms are common, and you own your vehicle outright, you may want to make sure that you have comprehensive insurance coverage on your vehicle.  If you are uncertain about the type of coverage that you currently have on your automobile, consult with an auto insurance company as soon as possible. After all, storm and hail season is upon us.

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