How To Protect Your Vehicle from Hail Damage

With heavy rain and seasonal hailstorms in the forecast, residents are readying their homes, but they shouldn’t forget their second-largest asset, their vehicle.

CARSTAR, North America’s largest network of collision centers with more than 700 stores in 10 provinces and 35 U.S. states, delivers a repaired vehicle every 30 seconds.  Following major storms, it sees hundreds of cars damaged by hail, flying debris, and flooding.

“High winds, hail, and debris from a storm can do tremendous damage to an unprotected vehicle,” says Tony Mammone, vice president of operations, CARSTAR Canada. “Vehicles are getting increasingly more complex in their engineering, so any damage can affect more than just the exterior of your vehicle. Features like backup cameras, anti-lock braking, and blind-spot detection all require sensors to work, and that technology needs to be repaired after it’s damaged.”

“To protect your car against hail damage this spring, it is important to observe weather warnings and ensure your vehicle is in a safe place if a storm event is coming,” comments Mammone. “Park your car in your garage or find a secure parking garage and park on an upper level, if possible, to protect it until the storm passes. If a garage isn’t available, park close to a large building on higher ground to protect from wind and debris.”

Dealing with the aftermath of a big storm can be challenging. Getting your car back up and running shouldn’t add to anyone’s stress. To help with the process, CARSTAR suggests:

• After the storm clears the first thing you should do is contact your insurance agent.
• Record any damage to your vehicle with photos and video, including street names, road signs, and details on the storm’s impact.
• If your vehicle has been flooded, don’t attempt to drive it, as the water can damage the electronics, engine, fuel system, and other critical components – contact a repair professional for assistance.
• Have a repair plan in place. Know where you’d like to have your car repaired ahead of time so you don’t have to make a sudden decision. CARSTAR offers high-quality, reliable repair services in 10 Canadian provinces and 35 U.S. states. Call 1-800-CARSTAR when you need a repair and they can send a tow truck, contact your insurance company, arrange for a rental car and repair your vehicle.