Preventing and Fixing Hail Damage to Your Car

Now that spring and summer are well underway, many areas will likely see an increase in severe storms. Among the threatening weather that might go with these storms are that loud, cold and heavy phenomenon—hail. Hail frequently falls in severe storms, and they can cause  damage. Among the items that stand to suffer hail damage is that one expensive asset, your car.

When hail hits your car, it might break glass, dent the exterior, and even cause internal damage. It’s not a threat to take lightly. Do everything you can to prevent hail from impacting the vehicle. On a positive note, should hail damage occur, you can often use your car insurance to make repairs.

Preventing Hail Damage to Cars

Often, it’s hard to determine when hail might strike. Yet, if you do have advanced warning, you might take steps to protect your car.

• Park in covered areas or garages whenever you can. That way, should a storm create hail, the car might have considerable protection. Some drivers carry special vehicle covers that can protect the car from hail.
• While parking under trees might allay a degree of hail damage, it also raises other risks. For example, storms might cause branches to fall from trees, creating other damage.
• If you get caught driving in hail, it’s often a good idea to pull over and wait out the storm. Roll up your windows to keep yourself and the interior safe. Engage your emergency flashers while on the side of the road. It can alert others to your presence.

After the storm passes, inspect the damage. If only minimal harm has occurred, you might not need to seek repairs. However, if you have significant damage, this might be a task for your car insurance.

Insurance for Hail Damage

Most insurers recognize that hail is often an unpreventable, unavoidable hazard for drivers. As a result, they will likely cover vehicle damage caused by hail. However, you likely have to carry comprehensive coverage to qualify for help. Comprehensive protection will cover damage from hazards like weather, fire and theft. Hail usually falls under this definition. Still, if you don’t have this coverage, you might be out of luck when attempting repairs.

Keep in mind, even comprehensive protection might not provide coverage for all hail damage. For example, your deductible cost might exceed the value of damage caused by hail. As a result, you’ll have to pay the full cost of repairs yourself. Talk to your policy’s agent at 409.203.2027 about how to structure your coverage for the best protection. With the right coverage, you will be able to worry less about hail damage.

Also Read: The Effects of Water Damage on Your Vehicle