Hail damage repairs can be pricey, as you’re potentially staring at a bill ranging from $750 to $10,000. What’s worse is your insurance won’t cover the entire bill, so you’re left to scour enough money to pay half of it.
The easiest way to avoid the hefty price tag is to prevent hail damage in the first place. Knowing what items you can store in your car in case of a hailstorm could save you money in the long run.
How to Prevent Hail Damage on My Car
Utilize items and covers to prevent scratches and dents and protect your car from hail damage. These include parking somewhere covered, using moving blankets, getting a portable storm protector, and more.
Park Somewhere Covered
The easiest way to protect your car from hail damage is to park somewhere covered. Doing so prevents the hail from making contact with the car’s surface, reducing the chances of chips or dents.
Use Moving Blankets
If you have no choice but to park somewhere exposed, you can use moving blankets or comforters to cover the car roof, windshield, and hood. It’s not as effective as the first method, but blankets will soften the blows enough to reduce or prevent damage.
Get a Portable Storm Protector
There are also car covers that work as hail protectors designed to protect your vehicle from the elements. Some protectors use high-volume air to absorb the impact of hailstorms.
Use Floor Mats or Rugs
If you don’t have blankets or a storm protector, you can use layers of rugs to prevent dents and scratches. While they’re not as effective as the two, they should add enough cushion to minimize damage or prevent it if you use it correctly.
It’s recommended to put the softer, carpeted side on the window while the rubberized side should face up.
Fold Your Side Mirrors
You should also fold your side mirrors in once the hailstorm starts, as they’re prone to damage because of how thin and fragile the side mirrors are. Doing so protects the mirrors, although the casing may still get damaged depending on the hail size.
Avoid Using Rocks as Weights
Avoid using rocks as weight if you plan on keeping blankets in place since the wind could lift the blanket and rocks up. This could lead to the rocks damaging your car or another property.
Instead, fold the blankets into the car doors/windows to keep them in place. The door should securely hold the blankets in place since the wind won’t be strong enough to blow it open.
What Size Hail Will Damage a Car?
A general rule of thumb is that a one-inch hailstone (in diameter) or the size of a quarter is enough to damage your car’s aluminum or steel surface. At this size, it may even create dents and dings. Different factors come into play, including the vehicle’s forward speed and the direction of the hail.
Smaller hailstones, usually the size of a pea, will only cause minor damage to your car, so those are relatively safer to drive through. To be safe, stop and wait for the hailstorm to pass in a covered garage if you don’t want your car damaged.
Types of Hail Damage and How to Repair Them
The type and severity of hail damage will determine the kind of repairs your vehicle may require.
Cosmetic Damage With the Paint Still Intact
Small, visible craters may be fixed through paintless dent repair (PDR). While it may sound simple, it’s best to leave PDR to the experts with the necessary skills, experience, and tools to complete the job. The average cost of PDR depends on the shop, but expect somewhere between $100 and $1,000.
Cosmetic Damage With Scratched Paint
Dents and chipped paint require more work. This means you may have to pay more for the entire service. Body specialists must pound out the dents and fill in spots before they can sand, prime, and repaint exterior panels.
In some cases, it may be less expensive and more cost-effective to replace the body panel instead of repairing the old one.
Major Damage
Major damage refers to bent body panels that make doors, hoods, or trunk lids hard to close. Severe hailstorms may also break windshields. These are the most expensive type of repairs and may cost vehicle owners over a thousand dollars to fix.
It’s crucial to assess your car’s damage and check each option’s pros and cons to determine which suits your vehicle best.
Tips for Driving in a Hailstorm
If you’re planning to move or travel to an area with a history of hailstorms, it’s a good idea to do your research so you’ll know what you should do when driving during a hailstorm.
Hailstorms are typically brief, only lasting a few minutes. It’s a good idea to wait it out, especially if you’re not used to driving in those conditions. Safely pull over, don’t get out of your car, and stay away from your windows.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
