Are you counting your losses and wondering how to protect your car from hail without a garage?
In this article, we’ll delve deeper into how and why you should keep your car safe from hail even if you don’t have a garage.
We all know how hail can be disastrous to cars and sometimes catch us off guard.
There are various ways to protect your vehicles from hail if you don’t have a garage. You can get a reliable car cover or cardboards, yoga mats, thick blankets, or dog beds to cover your car. You can also get weather alerts and go shopping if serious hail is anticipated in your neighborhood.
How to Protect your Car from Hail without a Garage – Best Ways
Most car owners have experienced a hailstorm at some point in their lives. One of the worst parts about being caught in a hailstorm is waiting for it to pass.
Depending on how big the hailstones are, you might find yourself waiting for quite a long time.
When they are just like small pebbles, they come down so fast that they look like birds flying through the sky.
The pebbles disappear quickly because the hailstone will be stripped off its outer layer when it comes into contact with anything hard.
If you don’t have a garage, here are some ways to protect your car:
1. Get a Car Cover
You still have to protect your car even if you don’t have a garage.
A car cover is always a good investment and one of the most preferred methods on how to protect your car from hail without a garage.
Types of Car Covers
There are many different varieties of car covers available.
A standard cover will cover your car adequately from the force of hail, but it will not fully eliminate the damage that might occur when hail hits your vehicle.
One method for protecting your car from hail is using a car cover with thick padding to cushion the blows from falling ice and hail.
If you want to eliminate damage caused by hail, it’s best to invest in a cover that employs air pockets similar to an air mattress.
2. Get Creative
If you know there’s a hailstorm coming, try to prevent damages by using items around the house to cover it.
Since strong winds accompany hailstorms, do not use light or easily-blown materials such as plastic sheeting, old newspaper, or aluminum foil.
Instead, choose heavy materials such as carpeting or blankets to shield the car’s exterior.
Here are other household items that might come on how to protect your car from hail damage without a garage:
- Cardboard
- Dog beds
- Yoga mats
- Mattress toppers
- Layered blankets
- Pillows
Also, make sure to secure the covering well to minimize the potential risk of being whipped off in a gust of wind.
Note: It may look silly, but no sillier than a car with thousands of tiny divots on its surface after being pelted by hail.
3. Get Warning Alerts
One sure way to protect your car from hail is to be signed up for weather alerts so you can be proactive with your actions.
Some cities, states and other organizations provide emergency weather alert systems to their people.
These often take the form of text messages or notifications you can be signed up for. They are instantly sent whenever a hailstorm is headed toward your neighborhood.
There are local non-governmental institutions that also offer constant weather updates.
You may want to check websites as well for more information about the alert system available in your community.
4. Inspect your Surrounding
Hail and other storm damage can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s paint job if you don’t take precautions to prevent it.
Before it begins to storm, check the area around your home (or wherever your car is parked) for potential hazards.
Loose roof tiles, TV antennae and overhanging branches can all pose a real threat to cars in heavy winds.
5. Go to a Mall or Convenience Store
Consider visiting a nearby shopping center to park in its carpark before a heavy storm. You can always leave your car there while you shop or watch a movie.
Many shopping centers provide covered parking but check on their opening hours if you’re worried the center might close before you get there.
If you don’t feel like going to the movies, perhaps you could enjoy some coffee and cake instead.
Please note that this should be a temporary solution as you weigh your options and figure out more long-lasting ideas on how to protect your car from hail.
6. Get Comprehensive Insurance
If your car suffers hail damage, you have to pay for it—unless you have comprehensive insurance.
Most standard auto insurance policies don’t cover weather-related damage or incidents, whether they’re caused by flooding or falling tree limbs.
Comprehensive insurance policies are those that cover you for mishaps not related to traffic incidents or damage caused by another driver.
Say a telephone pole falls on your car—if you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance will cover the costs of repairs. A standard policy won’t.
Rental Cover
It’s often recommended that you add rental insurance to your auto policy.
With comprehensive, if your car is damaged beyond repair, it’ll be replaced with the same model or a similar make and model.
And when you need a rental car while your damaged car is getting fixed, the rental insurance will help pay for it.
7. Rent or Buy a Carport
When serious hail storms blow through, the best way to protect your car is to park it in a garage or carport.
But not all homes have garages, and apartments seldom offer them.
If you don’t have a garage and you’ve determined that the potential risk of hail damage in your area is significant, a carport can be a viable option for shielding your vehicle from hail damage.
Note: A carport can often be built for less than an entire garage and can be constructed in places where a garage may not be possible.
Many apartment complexes offer covered parking for a monthly fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Car Covers Protect My Car From Hail?
Even though some car covers protect your automobile from hail damage, others—without padding or air pockets—may not repel large pieces of ice.
To prevent your vehicle from getting damaged by hail, look for a heavy-duty weatherproof car cover with padding or air pockets.
What Do I Do If My Car Has Been Damaged By Hail?
In the unlikely event that hailstorms damage your car, you should contact your auto insurance company and find out whether you will be covered.
The insurance company will probably tell you what steps to take to estimate repair costs and suggest that you go to a reputable body shop for repairs.
Can Hail Destroy My Car Windows And Sunroof?
If you don’t have a garage, a strong enough hailstorm can cause damage to your vehicle’s windows and sunroof.
Tempered glass is the strongest automotive glass, and the windshield is the most resilient part of a vehicle’s exterior.
Fact: Protecting side and back windows during a hail storm is recommended as they are more susceptible to hail damage and tend to be more expensive to repair.
Hailstorms are a bane to car owners. Although hail damage can be minimized by taking precautions, the above tips will help you safeguard your car if you don’t have a garage.
Granted, thousands of cars will need repair during hail seasons, which can tie up repair services for days.
Read Next: How to Prevent Lightning from Hitting your House?
Final Thought
The challenge of how to protect your car from hail without a garage is a common problem for apartment owners or renters.
If you are renting an apartment or house that does not have a garage, you might be able to park your car in a parking garage near an airport, mall, or university.
These garages have special protection against hail or disastrous weather phenomena like tropical storms and tornadoes.
Always ensure you have alerts and a comprehensive insurance cover in the unlikely event hail damages your car.
