Of the many different weather conditions that Mother Nature can conjure up, hail is one of the most damaging. In just a moment, a hail storm can bear down on your area and cause incredible damage. Cars and trucks are particularly vulnerable to hail damage, so it’s wise to protect yourself as best as possible by planning ahead.

Of course, one of the best options to keep your car safe from hail is to park it under a strong metal carport from American Steel Carports, Inc. After learning more about how to protect your vehicle from hail while at home and on the road, remember to explore our free Build & Price tool to design a structure that is customized to fit your needs.

Protect Your Vehicle with a Carport

Without a doubt, the best thing you can do to avoid hail damage – and other kinds of weather-related issues – is to park your vehicle in a covered space while at home. However, many people don’t have a garage available, or they need that garage for other purposes like storage or as a workshop. In that case, turning to a carport for affordable protection is a great alternative. Adding a metal carport to your property is an affordable project that will go a long way toward keeping your car safe. When a hail storm does move in, the roof of your carport will take the beating while your vehicle will be spared. Also, even when there is no hail to be seen, parking under cover will protect your vehicle from rain and snow, powerful sunshine, and more.

More Options for Parked Vehicles

If you don’t have the space for adding a carport to your property, consider investing in hail covers for your car. Thick blankets are another great option for protecting your car’s metal exterior. Along with a cover or blanket, remember to give your windshield special attention. Placing cardboard or another protective cover over your windshield is an excellent way to help prevent cracks.

Dealing with a Storm Safely

It would be convenient if hail storms waited to arrive until you had your vehicle parked safely undercover at home so you could wait it out without incurring any damage. Of course, the hail doesn’t care where you are, and it certainly isn’t going to wait.

If you find yourself far from home when a hail storm arrives, stay calm and make safety your top priority. Continue to pay attention to the road while seeking shelter. Any kind of covered parking space will do, such as a parking garage that may happen to be nearby. If you make your way to a covered area, just turn off your vehicle and wait out the storm. With any luck, you’ll be able to avoid damage to the car’s body.

If shelter isn’t nearby and you can safely do so, fold in your mirrors to prevent them from being cracked. You might also place floor mats on both your front and rear windshields to prevent them from being cracked.

Making Repairs After Hail Damage

Despite your best efforts, you might wind up with hail damage to your vehicle at some point. If that happens, it’s what you decide to do next that will make all the difference. By acting quickly and repairing the damage, you can avoid long-term issues and get your vehicle back to looking great once again.

In the case of minor damage, you might be able to make some repairs yourself by using a tool that is designed for a technique called paintless dent repair. The idea here is to pull out the dent from the body of the car without harming the paint. Remember, any gaps in the paint on your vehicle will allow water to get through and rust could develop, so having a solid layer of paint all the way around the exterior is important.

With that said, some hail damage is going to be too significant for the average car owner to fix alone. In that case, a local body shop is going to be your best bet. These pros will have the right tools and skills to repair the dents, add new paint, and get the car back into good condition in short order.

Protect Your Vehicle with American Steel

Weather conditions are sometimes unpredictable, and you can’t guarantee that your vehicle will never be damaged by hail. With that said, if you live in an area that experiences frequent storms, we hope the above tips are helpful! Of course, parking your vehicle under a carport reduces your risk greatly, so consider working with American Steel Carports, Inc. to customize a carport that fits your vehicle perfectly. To learn more, explore our Build & Price tool! If you have any questions along the way, our team is here to help. We hope to serve you soon!