Will a Car Cover Protect Against Hail?
Hail is a natural weather phenomenon but it leaves significant consequences on human life, especially deforming the surface of cars. Bumps and dents on the car's surface can bring inconvenience to the user and lose the aesthetics of the car. In addition, fixing and repairing dents also costs a lot of money. There have been many opinions that using car covers can help prevent damage from hail on the car's surface. Is this completely true? Let's find out with team carcover.com in the following article.
What is Hail and How Does it Damage Cars?
Hail is a type of precipitation that occurs during thunderstorms when cold air flows carrying water droplets into the atmosphere and when exposed to low temperatures, they freeze and form rough ice particles. The size of these coarse ice particles can range from pebbles to golf balls or larger depending on cold air conditions in the atmosphere. These ice particles fall from thousands of kilometers to the ground and deform everything that comes into contact with it, especially the thin surface of the vehicle's tires.
Hailstorms are unpredictable and can happen at any time, especially during the spring and summer months. They can occur in any part of the world, but are more common in areas with frequent thunderstorms and strong winds. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hail causes over $1 billion in property damage each year in the United States alone.
Hail not only causes heavy damage to humans but also leaves great damage to the car's exterior. When the car's surface is exposed to hail for a long time, it can be deformed, scratched on the body, hood, roof, and even broken windshield, rearview mirrors, and windows. In severe cases, hail can puncture the roof cover and affect the engine.
The extent of hail damage depends on the size and duration of the hail. The larger the hail and the longer it lasts, the more serious the consequences will be.
See also 10 Safety Tips For Driving Through Hail On The Road.
Benefits of Using a Car Cover for Hail Protection
With the terrible level of damage caused by hail, the top priority to protect your car is to park it in a covered garage area. Preventing the contact of hail on the vehicle's surface is the most effective protection. However, not all car owners have a garage to park their car, or in some emergency situations, hail suddenly occurs and they cannot find a suitable location to park in time.
Right now, car covers are considered the most effective solution.
1. Prevent direct contact of hail on the vehicle surface.
There is an opinion that, with a height of thousands of kilometers of hail falling on the car's surface, such a thin car cover is not really effective. That opinion is not completely wrong, however, the rough and sharp surface of ice cubes falling on the car cover will reduce gravity on the car's surface. Besides, the rubbing and impact of hail occurs directly on the car cover, which reduces the severity and limits the possibility of scratches caused by them.
2. Prevent dents and scratches on the car surface.
Without the protection of a cover when hail occurs, the possibility of scratches on the vehicle's surface, fading of the paint and cracks in the mirrors and glass will highly occur. When gravity's impact on the vehicle's surface is reduced, the appearance of dents and scratches will also be limited. This helps reduce the level of damage significantly.
3. Save Money on Repairs
As mentioned earlier, hail damage can be expensive to repair, especially if the dents and scratches are extensive. By using a car cover, you can avoid these costly repairs and save money in the long run. A good quality car cover may seem like an investment at first, but it can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs.
4. Protects Your Car from Other Elements
In addition to hail, car covers also safeguard the surface of the car against harmful substances including UV rays, rainwater, snow, dirt, and even bird droppings. These factors may sound harmless, but they have a huge impact on the longevity and aesthetics of the car. They not only fade the paint color but also affect the interior, making the value of the car low. In addition, car covers also help owners save money to repair the above problems caused. By using car covers, hail and other bad environmental factors are no longer a concern.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Car Cover for Hail Protection
To ensure the best protection for your vehicle, it's important to consider several factors when choosing a car cover for hail protection. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Material
The effectiveness of the car cover against hail is greatly influenced by its material. Look for covers that are made of strong and durable materials that can withstand the impact of hailstones. Polyester and nylon are popular choices for car covers as they are lightweight, water-resistant, and offer good protection against hail.
2. Size and Fit
It is essential to choose a car cover that fits your vehicle properly. A cover that is too big will not provide adequate protection against hail, while one that is too small may not cover your car entirely. Custom-fit car covers are the best option as they are specifically designed for your car's make and model, ensuring a perfect fit.
3. Ease of Use
Pick a car cover that is easy to use and maintain. Some covers come with straps or elastic hems to secure them in place, while others have zippers for easy access to your car's doors. Make sure to read reviews and check the product specifications to find a cover that is convenient for you to use.
4. Cost
Car covers come in a wide range of prices, so it's essential to consider your budget when choosing one. Keep in mind that a higher price does not always guarantee better quality. Do your research and read reviews to find a car cover that offers good value for your money.
Alternative methods for Protecting Your Car from Hail Damage
Although car covers are considered useful for vehicle owners when hail occurs. However, in addition to car covers, there are a number of other emergency methods to protect the car's surface when hail suddenly occurs:
1. Park in a Garage or Covered Area
If you have a garage or are parking in an area near a roof, quickly drive through that area to take shelter because that is the best condition to protect the car's surface from the negative effects of hail. Avoiding direct contact with hail is the best way to protect the value of your vehicle intact.
2. Park in the shadow of a tall building
In case you are not near a covered parking space, choose a tall building and park in the shadow of the building, against the wind. The direction of the wind will determine the direction the raindrops will fall. Falling hail will be blocked by a tall building. This is considered a quite smart and effective way to protect your car.
3. Use a Blanket
Almost every driver has the habit of carrying a blanket to use when needed. Right now, when hail suddenly appears, that spare blanket is very useful. Use a blanket to cover the vehicle's surface to reduce the force of hail on the vehicle's surface. Thick cotton material can protect the car's surface from the negative effects of hail.
4. Use cardboard
In an emergency, all items can be used to protect the vehicle from the impact of hail. Look around to see if there are any cardboard boxes. If so, cover the car's roof with them to reduce the force of hail on the car's surface.
Conclusion
In short, when hailstorms occur, car covers may not really as good as a garage or parking lot with a roof, however, it can provide an additional layer of protection to help the car's exterior avoid unnecessary harm caused by hail. With a protective layer of a car cover, the car's surface can avoid the effects of hail such as dents, broken mirrors, cracked windshields or paint fading. Although those problems are not big, they cost a lot of money to fix. Besides, it also reduces the resale value of the car. However, to choose a car cover suitable for hail weather, choose the right material and related factors such as size and ease of use. In addition, learn about ways to protect your car by replacing covers when hail occurs to better protect your car in many years.
