These storms can also spawn another harmful element: hail. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hail damage to crops and property sits at, or above, $1 billion dollars a year. 

Hail can range between the size of a pea to that of a softball, all of which can damage you or your property, including your car. 

You can prevent the dents and dings of hail in a number of ways: 

1. Park your car in a garage, under a carport, or any shelter that will cover your car directly from the hailstones. 

2. Though it may not stop damage completely (especially if the diameter of the hail is larger than a nickel), a car cover can, at the very least, prevent more severe damage. It could make the difference between paintless dent removal and more involved repair processes. 

3. If you can safely get to your car during the hail storm, you can throw anything from carpets to blankets to pillows on the exposed surfaces of your vehicle to prevent excessive damage. 

4. If you're driving when hail strikes, pull over on the side of the road, preferably under an overpass or another protected area. It's important for your car to be immobile in order to reduce vehicular damage and to protect yourself from potential shattered glass. 

You can't always predict the weather. If your car ends up suffering the effects of hail, we know the right people to take care of your vehicle. Contact us today for a reference.

(Photo by Win Henderson. Used under a Creative Commons License.)