How large does hail have to be to cause damage to a car?

Hailstones larger than the diameter of a nickel or quarter will potentially cause significant damage to a vehicle. But it’s not the only factor contributing to car hail damage. You must also consider the material (your car’s body and windows, primarily) and the direction of the hail.

Older vehicles built of heavier metal may be more resistant to hail damage. Aluminum, which is used on more modern vehicles, is prone to dents. Steel and iron bodies are much more resilient but aren’t as common in newer vehicles. Plastic is also tough, though it can crack if the hail is large enough. The Dent Shop  (469) 233-5880

How to Protect Your Car from Hail

Residents of Australia are no strangers to the difficulties created by the weather in regards to personal property. Australia is a nation of extremes in its climate, with storms sweeping the nation year in, year out, with buffeting winds and of course, hail.

Storm season is officially upon us, which means increased storm activity and so increased risk of car hail damage to all property. Planning and preparation are key; clearing up outside your home, closing windows and parking undercover whenever you can be a standard precaution. And make sure that you have adequate insurance cover for all your assets.

The violent storms that ravage Australia’s states cause damage to thousands of vehicles each year. In some cases, this damage can be catastrophic, making vehicles uneconomical to repair. In truth, any and all car hail damage is something any car owner would much rather avoid, and damage from hail is one of the most common causes. But, thankfully, there are measures that can be taken to avoid car hail damage, if you follow these steps. The Dent Shop  (469) 233-5880

A hail storm can do a lot of damage to the windows, metal, and paint your car, but there are steps you can take to protect your car from damage. If a storm is coming, park your car somewhere safe. Your garage or carport will protect your car, and so will cover public parking like parking garages. You can also cover your car as best as you can – you can use a car cover if you have one, or blankets or tarps or even your floor mats if you don’t.

Pull over under a freeway overpass for cover if you can. If you’re already driving and hail starts to come down, look for the closest cover for your car. Freeway overpasses and gas stations with canopies are great options for last-minute coverage if you’re caught in your car when hail starts. The Dent Shop  (469) 233-5880

Sign Up For Weather Alerts

There is an old (and gold) saying that precaution is better than prevention.

No matter who said that, but they are damn right.

The knowledge of a hail storm prior to the event will give you enough time to take appropriate precautions.

This way, you won’t have to prepare an emergency plan at the eleventh hour and can totally ensure that your car is safely tucked away before the storm arrives.

Hence, you need to install a weather app which will notify you when a heavy storm is coming your way. Don’t forget to have that notification turned on.

If you’re driving find covered parking asap.

If you find yourself caught in a hail storm, try to find shelter as soon as possible. You can use your car’s or cell phone’s GPS to find the nearest covered location. These locations include; parking garages, gas stations, etc. The Dent Shop  (469) 233-5880

Use blankets or a hail car cover

If you don’t have a shelter option, and you know a storm is coming, get something over your car. Some companies sell car covers specific to this purpose, but you can use your own blankets, as well. Just make sure you duct tape them down—the winds can pick up pretty quickly during hail storms. The tape can leave a sticky residue on your car, but most likely won’t cause any damage to the paint. Prepare in advance for this. Opt for personal safety and don’t do this if the storm is happening within a matter of minutes. The Dent Shop  (469) 233-5880

Drape Your Car with Blankets

Impact of hailstones can be cushioned by blankets which will be vital in preventing broken glass or paint scratch.

It’s important that you shroud the whole car with a blanket. The more blankets you can drape the car with, the better.

Make sure that the blankets cover the side glasses as they are extremely vulnerable to cracking.

Finally, duct tape the blankets at the bottom of your automobile. It will prevent the blankets from being blown away by the storm.

Although these layers of the blanket should be enough for a typical hail storm, they won’t be of much help if a tree falls on your car.

Put your floor mats to use. If there’s an emergency and you need to do something last minute, grab your floor mats and place them on your hood and roof. They could blow away and won’t cover the entire car, but it’s worth a try and could minimize damage.

Additionally, if you do get stuck driving in hail, it’s best to travel either toward or away from it. The reason is that windshields are better designed to withstand the impact of hail, whereas side windows may not be.

If you suffer from car hail damage, The Shop Dent is here to help. We’ll assess and fix body damage caused by hail at a low price. Contact us for a quote if you need assistance. The Dent Shop  (469) 233-5880