Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Driving During Hail
• Method 2 of 4: Parking your car outside
• Method 3 of 4: Protecting your vehicle
• Method 4 of 4: Precautions During Hail

Hail rain can cause serious damage to windows, metal parts and car paint, but there are certain steps you can take to protect your car from damage. If a thunderstorm is impending, park your car in a safe place. Your garage or car park will protect your vehicle as well as public parking. In addition, the car can be additionally covered with a car cover, and in its absence - with blankets, tarpaulins or even rugs.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Driving During Hail

1. 1 Stop under a flyover to shelter from the hail. If hail catches you along the way, look for the nearest car hideout. Overpasses and petrol stations with awnings are great for emergency cover if you happen to be driving during hail.
2. 2 Move in the direction of the hail if it has already started to protect the side windows. The windshield of a car is usually made of glass that is more durable than the side windows. If hail catches you while driving, steer the vehicle toward the hail so that the entire impact hits the windshield and not the side windows.
3. 3 Park on the leeward side of the building. If the storm is coming from the east, parking your car on the west side of a large building can help protect it from hail. Strong winds can blow hail right past your car.

Method 2 of 4: Parking your car outside

1. 1 Park in the garage. This is the best place for a car during hail. There should be enough space in the garage for a car (or even several), so if a storm is coming you should do a quick cleanup. Park your car before the storm hits.
2. 2 If you have time, leave your car in the covered car park. If a thunderstorm is coming, park your car in the nearest covered parking lot. Some shopping malls and malls have covered parking or garages. Ask someone to give you a ride home after you park your car safely.

Method 3 of 4: Protecting your vehicle

1. 1 If you don't have a cover or blankets, cover your windshield with floor mats. If hail catches you away from home, place rugs on your car windows. Most likely, they will not allow you to completely close the windshield or rear window, but this is better than nothing at all.
   • Place rugs with fabric side up. This will keep the legs or grips on the bottom of the rug pressed against the glass so that the rugs will not slide off in strong winds.
2. 2 Use a car cover. Seat covers can be found in most auto parts stores and in some supermarkets in the auto supplies section. Make a note of the make, model and year of the vehicle, as most car seat covers are classified for these characteristics.
3. 3 If you don't have a cover, cover the car with blankets or tarps. Blankets or tarpaulins will help protect your vehicle and absorb the blows of hail, preventing glass cracks, body dents and paint chips from forming. Cover the car with blankets, from the rear window to the windshield. If possible, hang blankets around the sides to protect the side windows.
   • The more blankets you use, the better. The car should be covered with at least one layer of blankets, but if you can double or triple the number of blankets, it will increase the safety of the car.
   • If you are running out of blankets, close the windows first.
   • Tape the blankets at the bottom of the car. This will not damage the paint, but sticky marks may remain on the body after peeling off the tape.

Method 4 of 4: Precautions During Hail

1. 1 Download the app to receive weather alerts and have enough time to protect your vehicle. Most weather apps for smartphones send users notifications of sudden changes in weather conditions. Make sure you have this notification turned on. The app will notify you in advance when hail is coming, and most likely you will have enough time to protect your car.
2. 2 If you don't have a carport, build one. In the courtyards of some houses, such awnings are provided for during construction. If you have one, park your car under it before a thunderstorm starts. Otherwise, buy an inexpensive canopy from a hardware store website and install it yourself.
   • Inexpensive awnings usually cost in the range of 10,000-15,000 rubles. It will take you about two hours to install it.
   • The side wall canopy protects your vehicle from any side hail gusts.
3. 3 Buy car cover if you live in a hail-prone area. If you've moved to a new city, check the local weather history. If hail storms are common in your area, buy a car cover.They are sold at most auto parts stores.
   • Buy a universal car cover or one that matches the make and model of your car.