How Hailstorms Can Damage Your Vehicle
The damage dealt to your car or vehicle can range from minor to severe. Common issues include dents in the doors, sides of the car, trunk, and especially the roof or hood. Hail damage often cracks windows, windshields, and can even damage your door jams potentially causing your car’s doors not to open properly. These damages can be very costly depending on the severity of the storm.
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Hailstorms Can Be Incredibly Costly
An uncovered vehicle can quickly and unexpectedly become riddled with dozens of tiny dents which can cost around $30 to $80 to repair per dent, depending on the size. Not to mention the cost of replacing windows, windshields, or the occasional doorjamb issue mentioned above.
The Most Effective Ways to Protect Against Hail Damage
Preventing Hail Damage
The best way to save yourself from the costly headaches associated with hail is to be ready. Taking all possible steps to prevent an issue before it’s too late is always our recommendation for proper car care and safety. Ensure your car is safe from the storm with these tips:
- Keep an Eye on the Weather Forecast: Pay attention for any mentions of potential hail. If you park your care in the place where it is exposed to the weather you may want to consider putting in some time to set up email or text message alerts through a weather service such as Weather.com.
- Park in a Safe Place: If you know hail is in the forecast, then the best thing to do is to move your cars, trucks, or recreational vehicles into a safe covered area. Utilize parking garages, covered parking lots, covered carports, or any other protected area you can think of. Don’t park under trees, as sometimes the branches can break and cause even more damage!
- Wait Until the Storm has Passed: If you can, it is best to wait until the storm has passed until you get into your car and start driving.
Protecting your Vehicle from Hail Damage
If you do not have a safe place to park your car, the next best solution is to protect it. To properly protect your vehicle you’ll need a padded car cover called a hail protection blanket which can be easily found online. You can consider using a non-padded cover which may help to prevent some damage and/or scratches, but these are generally not recommended for hail protection.
What to do if You’re Driving During a Hailstorm
Tips for When a Hail Storm Strikes When You’re in Your Car
- Pull Over into a Safe Area: Look for a safe place to pull over, slow down your vehicle gradually, and park. Driving during minor to severe hail can be incredibly dangerous, and it is best to simply wait it out.
- Stay in Your Car: If it is actively hailing, don’t go outside as an unexpectedly large chunk of ice could cause injury or worse.
- Wait for the Hail to Stop: Most hailstorms don’t last too long, so the safest and most responsible thing to do is to simply wait it out.
- Be Ready if your Windows or Windshield Breaks: If the storm is severe you should be ready to cover your eyes in the event that your glass shatters. Consider facing the floor or lay down on your seat face down to prevent any shattering glass from causing a serious injury.
- Protect Your Children: Move children away from the windows and cover them with your body if possible. Make sure to cover their eyes too as well as your own.
Stop by your Local AAMCO Today for a Vehicle Courtesy Check
Interested in more car safety tips? Take a look at our other safety and automotive maintenance related articles at our blog.
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Recent Posts
Categories
- AAMCO Diagnostics Center
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- Blog
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- Brakes, Tires, & Suspension
- Check Engine Light
- Colorado Automotive Advice
- Community Involvement
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- Electrical
- Engine
- Exhaust System
- Featured Articles
- Infographic
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- Muffler
- Muffler & Exhaust
- news
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- Online Mechanic
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