How to Avoid Vehicle Hail Damage in Texas
If you care about your vehicle, protecting it from hail should be a top priority. In Texas, hailstorms occur mostly in late winter through early summer, causing many people to experience damage to their vehicles. Although not every hailstorm is strong enough to cause damage, it’s best to be prepared.
Hailstorms cause damage to crops and plants, as well as windows, roofs, and vehicles. The damage to vehicles occurs when parked in the open. Here are some tips to help you avoid needing vehicle hail damage repair in Texas.
Get a vehicle carport
If you don’t have a garage, a carport is a good alternative to protect your vehicle. Choose one with the most coverage for maximum protection.
Cover the vehicle with a car cover or blanket
To protect your car from a hailstorm, look for a thick, padded, or inflatable car cover. Practice placing it over your car quickly so you can get it on fast when hail hits.
Using blankets can also help if you don’t have an appropriate car cover, or don’t want to spend money on one.
Seek out covered parking
This tip comes in handy if you don’t have your own garage or are stuck on the road in the hailstorm. Look for covered parking lots and head to them if a hailstorm is on its way. It could be a mall, a shopping center garage, gas station canopy, or anything similar to these.
Use large structures as a shield
Using big structures like buildings could help shield you from hail. If you see hail coming from the east, park on the west side of the building, and vice versa. A building can act as a shield from strong and destructive winds and provide excellent protection against hail damage.
Use floor mats
Floor mats come in handy if you are in an emergency and don’t have the option of a garage, carport, padded car cover, or blanket. Take out your floor mats and place them over the hood and roof, which need the most protection. Secure than with a heavy object so they don’t get blown away with the strong winds.
Access a weather app
If you haven’t already, install a weather app on your phone and always check the weather forecast before stepping out. If the app shows an approaching hailstorm, it’s better to remain inside. However, if you must leave, go armed with the essentials, like a padded car cover and the location of a nearby public parking garage. Quickly take shelter if necessary to protect you and your car.
Insure your car against hailstorms
No matter how many preventive measures you take, it is always a great idea to insure your vehicle against hailstorms. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, your vehicle gets caught in a storm, leading to massive damage. This is when an insurance company can help in paying or reimbursing the cost of repairing the damage.
If you get stuck driving in hail, either keep driving towards or away from it. The front and rear windshields are stronger and designed to withstand the impact of hail, whereas the side windows are not.
If you are thinking of parking under a tree, beware. The chances of twigs and branches falling are severe in a massive hailstorm. They could also damage the car.
| Habib Khan is the business associate behind D.Venture, which helps people get solid info about money, investment, automotive, and more. In addition, he specializes in guest blogging about certain issues. |
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