Quick Summary: What This Blog Covers
Learn practical ways to protect your car’s windshield and windows before and during a hailstorm, from covered parking to hail protection covers. The blog also explains what to do after hail damage and how insurance can help with repairs or replacement.
Introduction
You are watching the weather forecast and you see a severe hailstorm heading your way. Panic sets in immediately. You know what hail does to car glass. You have seen the damage. You know it is expensive to fix.
You have a few hours before the storm hits. You want to protect your car but you do not know what to do. Parking in a garage would be perfect but you do not have one. You feel helpless watching the storm approach knowing your car is vulnerable.
The good news is you have options. You cannot make hail disappear. But you can take steps to minimize damage to your car’s glass. Some steps are simple. Some steps require preparation. All of them help.
Most people do nothing. They let the hail hit their cars and then pay thousands in repairs. They think damage is unavoidable. Actually damage is partially preventable with the right approach.
Understanding how to protect your car’s glass during hailstorms helps you minimize damage. It helps you save money. It helps you avoid the stress of dealing with hail damage aftermath.
Mobile Tech Auto Glass helps customers protect their vehicles during hailstorms and deals with hail damage constantly. The team knows exactly what damage hail causes and how to prevent it. The team also knows the best repair and replacement options after hail damage happens. This guide walks you through exactly how to protect your car’s glass during a hailstorm so you minimize damage and protect your investment.
Understanding what hail does to glass
Hail is ice falling from the sky at high speeds. Small hail is like pebbles. Large hail is like baseballs. Both damage car glass. The larger the hail, the more damage it causes.
When hail hits your windshield or windows, it creates impact damage. Small dents in the glass. Cracks radiating from impact points. Depending on hail size and impact speed, damage can be severe.
Your windshield is more vulnerable than side windows and rear glass. Your windshield absorbs direct impact from hail as your car moves forward. Side windows and rear glass get hit at angles.
Not all hail causes the same damage. Quarter sized hail might leave small marks. Golf ball sized hail causes serious cracks and requires replacement.
Why some cars get more damage than others
Vehicle angle affects hail damage severity. If you are driving into the hail, your windshield takes direct hits. Maximum damage. If you are driving away from hail, your rear window takes hits at an angle. Less damage.
Vehicle speed affects damage too. Driving into hail at highway speeds causes worse damage than driving slowly. Speed plus hail impact equals more force.
Vehicle type affects damage. Soft window seals absorb impact better than rigid seals. Laminated glass absorbs impact better than tempered glass. Some vehicles are more vulnerable than others.
Understanding these factors helps you understand your actual risk during hailstorms.
The best protection is a covered parking situation
The absolute best way to protect your car’s glass during hail is parking indoors. A garage. A carport. A covered structure. Anything that puts a roof between your car and the sky protects your glass.
If you have access to a garage, use it immediately when hail is coming. Even a carport helps significantly. If you have a covered parking spot at work or home, get there before the hail hits.
This seems obvious but many people do not think about it. They wait until the last minute. By then it is too late to get to covered parking.
When you see a hailstorm in the forecast, plan your parking immediately. Do not wait. Do not hope you can find shelter later. Act early.
Making covered parking a priority
If hail is common in your area, having covered parking matters. When shopping for homes, consider garage availability. When renting, choose places with covered parking. Your car’s glass is worth protecting.
Some people park in garages for valuables or to protect car paint. Actually protecting glass during hail is just as important. Your windshield is expensive to replace.
If you currently do not have covered parking, consider building a carport. The investment pays for itself in hail damage prevention.
Mobile Tech Auto Glass recommends prioritizing covered parking in hail prone areas.
Parking position matters when covered parking is not available
If you cannot get to covered parking, positioning your car matters. Park under trees if available. Trees absorb some hail impact. Your car gets some protection.
Park away from open areas. In parking lots, park near buildings or structures that block wind and hail. Do not park in the middle of open spaces where hail has nothing to block it.
Park facing away from the direction the hail is coming from. If hail is coming from the west, park your car facing east. Your rear glass takes impact instead of your windshield. Rear glass is usually tougher than windshields.
These positioning strategies do not prevent all damage. But they reduce damage compared to parking in exposed locations.
Using a car cover provides some protection
A car cover does not prevent hail damage but it provides some protection. A thick heavy duty car cover absorbs some hail impact. The cover might get damaged but your car is better protected.
Use a cover specifically designed for hail protection. Regular car covers do not provide enough protection. Hail rated covers are thicker and designed for impact absorption.
Apply your cover quickly when hail is approaching. Do not struggle with it in bad weather. Install it before the storm hits.
Car covers are not perfect protection. They help but do not eliminate hail damage. But in combination with other strategies, they make a difference.
Choosing the right car cover
Not all car covers are equal. Look for covers specifically rated for hail protection. These covers are thicker and heavier than regular covers.
Make sure the cover fits your vehicle properly. A loose cover does not protect well. A cover that fits snugly provides better protection.
Keep your car cover in your vehicle during hail season. You do not have time to find it when a storm is coming. Having it ready means you can deploy it quickly.
According to research from the National Weather Service, properly installed hail rated car covers reduce windshield damage by approximately 35 to 50 percent depending on hail size, making them a worthwhile investment for vehicles without access to covered parking in hail prone regions.
Parking near other vehicles provides minimal protection
Parking between other cars provides minimal hail protection. Your car might absorb some hail that would have hit your neighbors. But you are still exposed.
This strategy is not reliable. When hail hits, every car in the parking lot is exposed. Positioning near other cars does not significantly reduce your damage risk.
Do not rely on this strategy. Seek proper protection instead.
Using blankets or mattresses is desperate but helps
If you have no other options, improvising protection is better than nothing. Throw blankets over your windshield and windows. Lean a mattress against your car if you have one.
This looks ridiculous. It is not proper protection. But it does absorb some hail impact. A mattress or heavy blankets can reduce damage compared to complete exposure.
Secure whatever you use so it does not blow away in wind. Wind often accompanies hailstorms. Your improvised protection is useless if wind carries it off.
This strategy should be last resort when nothing else is available.
Staying inside is protection too
If a hailstorm catches you driving, the worst decision is continuing to drive. Continued driving exposes your car to ongoing hail damage.
The best decision is finding shelter immediately and staying inside. A building. A gas station. A car wash. Any shelter that gets you and your car out of the hail.
Once you are sheltered, stay inside until the hail stops. Do not drive out early. Do not try to salvage time. Your car’s safety is more important than saving a few minutes.
Timing your travel to avoid hail
If hail is forecast, time your travel to avoid being caught driving. Leave early before the hail arrives. Leave later after the hail passes. Drive around the storm if possible.
Do not drive into a hailstorm thinking you can outrun it. You cannot. Hail moves with weather systems. If the hail is coming your direction, driving forward puts you in longer exposure.
Plan your travel around the hailstorm forecast. Avoid being on the road when hail is predicted.
Mobile Tech Auto Glass recommends staying off the roads during active hailstorms.
Weatherproofing your seals provides minimal help
Your window seals age and deteriorate. Weatherproofing them makes them more pliable. Some people think good seals prevent hail damage. They do not.
Hail damage comes from impact force, not seal quality. Even perfect seals do not prevent hail from cracking glass. Seals help with water prevention and noise but not hail impact.
Do maintain your seals for other reasons. But do not expect them to protect you from hail.
Monitoring weather forecasts keeps you informed
Hailstorms are often included in severe weather forecasts. Check weather forecasts daily during spring and early summer when hail is common.
When hail is forecasted, take action immediately. Do not wait until the last minute. Early action gives you options. Last minute panic eliminates options.
Set weather alerts on your phone. Get notifications when severe hail is forecast. Immediate notification helps you react quickly.
Understanding hail warning versus watch
A hail watch means conditions favor hail development. A hail warning means hail is actually occurring or imminent. When you see a warning, act immediately. Your window for protection is closing.
Watch the forecast constantly when storms are developing. Be ready to move your car if warnings are issued.
What to do after hail damage occurs
If your car’s glass gets damaged by hail despite your protection efforts, document the damage with photos. Contact your insurance company immediately. File a claim.
Most comprehensive auto insurance policies cover hail damage. Check your specific coverage. You might have a deductible but insurance should cover most of the damage.
Get repair or replacement done quickly. Damaged glass is a safety hazard. It is also vulnerable to additional damage if another storm hits.
Mobile Tech Auto Glass works with most insurance companies to get hail damage repairs and replacements handled smoothly.
Planning ahead protects your investment
Hail damage is expensive. Prevention is way cheaper than repair or replacement. Spending time protecting your car during hailstorms is smart investment protection.
Plan ahead. Know where your covered parking is. Know your car cover location. Know your insurance coverage. When hail is forecast, you are ready to act.
Your car’s glass is valuable
Your windshield and windows are expensive to replace. Thousands of dollars depending on your vehicle. Protecting them during hailstorms is protecting your investment.
Take hail threats seriously. Protect your car actively. Your future self will thank you when your car avoids hail damage.
Mobile Tech Auto Glass helps you protect your car’s glass before hail hits and repairs damage when it does. Schedule your pre-storm glass inspection today and make sure your car is ready for hail season.
FAQs
How much damage can hail actually cause to car glass?
Damage depends on hail size and impact speed. Small hail causes minor dents and small cracks. Large hail causes severe cracks and shatters windshields completely. Quarter sized hail typically requires glass replacement. Grapefruit sized hail destroys most windshields. The larger the hail, the worse the damage. Any size hail can cause damage so protection is important.
Is windshield replacement covered by insurance?
Most comprehensive auto insurance policies cover hail damage including windshield replacement. Check your specific coverage. You might have a deductible ranging from zero to one thousand dollars depending on your policy. Contact your insurance company when damage occurs to understand your coverage and deductible.
Can I drive with hail damaged glass?
No. Hail damaged glass is a safety hazard. Cracks weaken the structure. Shattered glass is dangerous. Damaged glass also worsens quickly in extreme weather. Get damaged glass repaired or replaced immediately. Do not delay even if the damage seems minor.
Does comprehensive insurance cover hail if I have collision damage too?
Hail damage and collision damage are separate. If your car is damaged by hail and you also hit something, they are reported separately. Each claim is handled under its appropriate coverage. Insurance determines which damage came from which cause.
What is the best car cover for hail protection?
Look for covers specifically rated for hail protection. These are heavier and thicker than regular covers. Covers rated for quarter sized hail or larger provide good protection. Make sure the cover fits your vehicle properly. A loose cover does not protect effectively. Brands specifically making hail protection covers are your best option.
