Protecting your car from hail damage
Posted: 10.27.2010 at 4:05 PM

To protect your car from hail damage:

-Familiarize yourself with weather conditions that may generate hailstorms.
-If hail is in the forecast, pull your cars, boats, RV’s into a garage, covered parking lot or other substantial covering.
-If you must leave your car parked outside and exposed to hailstones, consider covering the vehicle with a car cover or at least parts of the vehicle with  thick blankets (parts of the car susceptible to noticeable hail damage – hood, roof and trunk).
-Never attempt to protect your car with your body. Large hailstones may cause severe physical damage.
-If you are driving in a hail storm seek refuge in a covered place like a garage, under an overpass or someplace with an awning.
-If no shelter is available pull off the highway to the side of the road. Be sure to keep your head and face away from the windows.
-After the storm is over assess the damage. Check your car for dents and/or broken glass/headlights.

What to do if your car sustains hail damage:

-If you have comprehensive coverage on your car insurance policy, hail damage is a covered peril.
-If there is broken glass, mitigate your damages to prevent rain damage to the interior.
-Contact your agent who will likely submit the claim on your behalf. If there is broken glass be sure to let your agent know this. In addition, if you’ve incurred cost to mitigate your damage let them know.
-There are two repair methods for hail damage (repair/paint and paintless dent repair-PDR). Your insurance adjuster will assess your damage and determine which repair method is best for your car.
-Once the repairs are completed, check the vehicle thoroughly to make sure all of the hail dents are gone.
-Repair shops should guarantee their work. Be sure to get a guarantee. If you leave the shop and notice a flaw in your vehicle’s repair, it should be  fixed at no additional cost to you.