Keep your car safe in case of hail
Can car covers protect against hail damage?
The power of Mother Nature is never surprising. And the fact that it can damage our property, including our cars, is not something to be underestimated. Winter weather can have an extremely negative impact on our vehicles, especially when it comes to hail, which is basically made up of circular pieces of solid ice falling from the sky at absurd speeds. Obviously, the best way to avoid hail damage to your car is to park it inside, but this is not possible for everyone so many of us has to find other ways to protect our cars. Other options are given by the possibility of having an anti-hail cover.
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Most common hail covers
The three best hail protection strategies come first: park inside or under a sturdy structure.
Covered parking spaces can cost a lot depending on their specifications. However, if you live in an area prone to hail storms and a carport is the best option and could be a really good investment.
Immediately after, unexpectedly, we find the inflatable anti-hail cover.
Many car owners have no idea that inflatable hail protection systems exist, but instead, they are effective and unique-looking devices that can save your car from massive damage. Just as the name suggests, these inflate to protect cars from large hailstones. These can cost a little but come with remote control and can run on battery or an AC adapter, saving us the trouble of assembling-disassembling and charging.
Lastly, we have the anti-hail cover in fabric. There are many types of hail cover of this type on the market today and most have a weatherproof exterior and fleece lining. Many have more layers and are thicker, therefore offering better protection against adverse weather conditions.
When and where hail requires a hail cover
Although hailstorms are most noticeable from May to July, they can occur at any time throughout the year. Fall and winter seasons are mild compared to summer, but they can surprise people when they don’t expect them. This raises the question of why icy hail is more prominent in summer when it’s hot. The reason, experts say, is those surface temperatures are warm enough to promote instability associated with severe thunderstorms, but the upper atmosphere is still cool enough to support the ice. So, even if bad weather may seem predominantly winter to us, it is actually better to have a hail cover always with you, especially at the end of summer.
How expensive hail damage can get and why do you need hail cover
Some people try to fix their cars themselves after a hailstorm, but it’s not always effective and often does more harm than good. Others try to take advantage of changes in temperature, dry ice or hair dryers to repair dents, but these methods only work on those that are small and have caused minimal damage (assuming they work at all). Auto supply stores usually sell DIY hail damage kits for around $ 100, but they are often time-consuming and not effective, especially if a car has dozens of different dents. That said, it’s best to hire an expert for help, which can get really expensive.
In general, the average cost of repairing hail damage is around € 2,500. Hailstorms can leave several types of damage to a vehicle, all of which are not cheap to repair. The price will be even higher if the hail has shattered the windshield and/or windows, or if it has damaged the taillights and headlights. A good hail cover is therefore a good solution to really save a lot of money.
The bottom line is, as you can see, that hail can ruin your vehicle a lot and can end up costing hundreds or thousands of euros. Therefore, the best option is always to avoid hail damage. Getting a carport or parking under a secure structure is your best bet, but a good hail cover can also be a solid investment in protecting your car from this damage.
