The list of natural disasters isn’t just limited to heavy rains, storms, earthquakes, and the likes. But we’ve all heard of other instances such as ashfall, sandstorms, and the most common kind - hail storms.

According to an article from Iowa State University’s Center for Food Security and Public Health, The Midwest and Central United States have recorded the most number of thunderstorm occurrences, with an estimated number of 100,000 in a year. About 10 percent of these are classified as severe thunderstorms which produce hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, have winds of 58 miles per hour or higher, or produce a tornado. 

What is hail and how dangerous is it?

From wind, tornado, to hail storms - no matter what type of storm it is, there’s no doubt that each one is relatively similar in effect. With the threats of extensive property damage and even the loss of life, there’s no reason why people should discount the fact that hailstorms can be pretty serious. But really, what is hail made of and how is it that dangerous?

Hail is formed through precipitation, which consists of solid ice inside thunderstorm updrafts. Meanwhile, hailstones are formed when raindrops are carried upward by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze. The impact of hailstones can possibly damage aircraft, homes, and cars, and can be deadly to livestock and people.

It’s human nature to panic and worry when these unforeseen weather conditions occur. With the threat of such natural disasters just right around the corner, it’s important to stay alert and prepared so that you don’t get caught off-guard. The best course of action is to secure your home items as early as possible, especially when it comes to your most prized possessions.

Texas hail damage in numbers

When we talk about disasters in Texas, the first few things that come to mind are the likes of massive floods, horrific tornadoes, and hurricanes - even raging wildfires. As much as these are a few of such terrifying events you could imagine, you shouldn’t neglect the fact that hail storms have the power to be incredibly destructive and costly, most especially in Texas. 

According to Verisk’s 2021 report, The Hail Hazard and Its Impact on Property Insurance, 6.2 million properties in the United States experienced one or more damaging hail events in 2020. This was about a million fewer than in 2019, reflecting the frequency fluctuations noted over the past 10 years. Among the states with the most major hail events in 2020, Texas had the highest number of properties affected by hail with over 1.5 million properties, accounting for almost a quarter of total U.S. properties affected.

The numbers and data say it all: hail is just as terrifying as any other natural disaster. While it’s one thing to be informed, it’s also another thing to take action towards preventive measures to prevent the worst that could happen. These DIY ways can help you get the immediate protection you need if a hailstorm happens.

DIY Your Way to Protecting Your Car from Hail

Just like any other extreme weather condition, the best course of action is to keep your items safe and secure inside your home. But how about those who don’t have the means to provide proper storage to odd-sized home items such as furniture, machines, and equipment, and most especially your vehicles? 

Here are some DIY ways to protect your car from the possible damage that can be brought by hail: 

Stay up to date with the local weather news

Prevention comes with proper awareness. It’s important to stay updated with the local weather news, especially when there’s a threat of a hailstorm just around the corner. Maximize the function of your smartphones and gadgets. Download weather and news apps and enable push notifications to keep you updated.

Convert your unused mattress pads and foam sheets

Hail can be big in size and heavy in weight, which can leave damages such as dents and scratches on your car. It’s important to protect your vehicle with a thick material that can lessen or prevent such damages in the event of a hailstorm. 

Repurpose old tarpaulins into a waterproof cover

Make a shelter out of old tarpaulins at home. Since tarp material is thick and waterproof in form, you can protect your car from excessive rain and hail at the same time. Watch out for wind blowing from all directions and use a tarpaulin to give your car the full coverage it needs for maximum protection.

Create additional protective layering using comforters and rugs

Your rugs and comforters can be put not just into good use indoors, but also to protect your cars in the event of a hailstorm. With the help of ropes or tie-down straps, secure your cars with the soft and fluffy support of your comforters or rugs. By using these, it'll be easier to have each side of your car protected from falling hail drops.

Use your old mats to cover your car

You can still make use of your car mats to protect not just the interior of your cars, but even the outer surface of your car. In case of an emergency and you find yourself caught by surprise in the middle of the road in the event of a hailstorm, you can always use your car mats for immediate temporary protection.

Try using inflatables such as blow-up rafts & floats

Your inflatables are a good rescue option in the event of a storm or a flood in your area. It may sound crazy as it seems, but this can also be a good protective layering alternative for your vehicles. Sturdy and plastic in form, securing your cars with blow-up rafts and floats using rope, bungees, tie-downs, or duct tape is perfect to shield your car from hail drops. 

Opt for long haul protection using ClimaGuard protective cover

If you have the option to invest in protective layerings, go for durable ones! ClimaGuard provides an all-in-one extreme weather protection that can safeguard your car from the threats of damage brought by flood, rain, snow, UV, and dust. It’s made with military-grade, waterproof, recyclable material that’s compact and easy to store at home or in your vehicle in the event with the layers described above for added protection.

Is my car insurance enough to cover hail damage? 

Having car insurance can also help get you off the hook in the event of a hailstorm as long as you’ve opted for comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive insurance helps cover car repair expenses from unforeseen events such as storm damage, animal damage, and falling objects — including hail. The financial assistance you can get from car insurance can help pay auto body repairs, along with windshield and interior damage caused by hail.

In conclusion,

Awareness is key to prevention. By having proper education on natural disasters and the threat of damage it comes with, it's easier to equip yourself with the things to prepare for in the event of a calamity. Disaster-proofing your home begins with safeguarding your home items, especially your most prized possessions such as your vehicles. Disaster preparedness might come at a cost, but there are things you could do to help safeguard your homes from the horrendous effects of a natural disaster. With these DIY ways to protect your car from hail, you don’t just save a good amount of money, but you also prolong the lifespan of your vehicle and prevent intensive damage that could take place. 

Stay alert and be prepared! Get ClimaGuard now.

Big or small, what matters most is being able to make an effort to achieve disaster preparedness. But if you’re after a long-term solution to withstand the wrath of any extreme weather condition, it's best to invest in a durable protective car cover that offers maximum protection not just for your cars, but for all your other home items. ClimaGuard is designed for a one-person set-up and engineered to weather many storms which you can easily install on your own. 

Don’t let hail cost you a lot! To learn more, check out ClimaGuard’s Temporary Protective Enclosure here.