Hail storms are common in winter when the temperature in the air is low. Every year, hail storms cause millions of dollars in damage to driving cars and cars left out on the street. Knowing how to avoid damage from hail can help you prevent serious cosmetic problems on your vehicle.
Check the Weather Forecast
Before leaving on your trip, check the weather forecast for hail predictions. This is especially important if you live in the areas known as "Hail Alley," including Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, where there are as many as 7 to 9 hail storms per year. If there's a possibility of hail, arrange to stay home or use some alternate form of transportation, like a bus.
Arrange for Sheltered Parking at Home
Many people leave their cars parked in the driveway throughout the year and use their garages for storage. However, having a safe place to put your car can help you avoid damage. You may not always put your car in the garage, but it's important to have a sheltered area where your car can go. Make a space in your garage just large enough to fit your vehicle. If you can't fit your vehicle in the garage and don't care to try to make that work, erect a car port or another outdoor structure beneath which you can park your car. Put your car in the sheltered area whenever hail is in the forecast.
Stop Driving When Hail Begins
If you're driving and hail begins to fall (even if the hail is small), stop driving your car and pull over to the side of the road, if possible. The faster the vehicle is traveling when it drives into the hail, the more likely the hail is to damage your car. When you pull over to the side of the road, avoid parking beneath tree branches. This can prevent further damage that could come if a tree branch gets damaged by falling hail and consequently falls on your vehicle.
Keep a Cover in Your Trunk
Keep a car cover in your trunk. If your car is away from sheltered parking, put it on your vehicle whenever hail is in the forecast. Some covers even inflate around cars to create a protective air bubble, and this is a good cover to buy if you live in a hail-prone area.
Hopefully your vehicle won't be damaged by hail this year, but if it is, contact an auto body repair shop like Wasatch Body Shop, Inc. for help. Your repair shop can give you a quote for removing the dents and dings.
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