How To Protect Your Vehicle From Hail In A Colorado Storm

Coloradans are used to the spring rollercoaster weather, but hail storms can be difficult to predict, and they wreak havoc on tens of thousands of vehicles in our state each year.

Colorado was the second-worst state for hail loss claims between 2017 and 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Texas took the top spot with 637,977 claims, and Colorado followed with 380,066.

Scott Paul, the VP of operations for the vehicle repair company Carstar, said Coloradans need to be aware of weather warnings and ensure their vehicle is in a safe place if a storm is on the way.

“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, Paul said in a statement. "If a garage isn’t available, park close to a large building on higher ground to protect from wind and debris.”

After major storms, the company sees hundreds of damaged vehicles.

“High winds, hail, and debris from a storm can do tremendous damage to an unprotected vehicle,” Paul said. “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.”

Carstar offers the following tips if your vehicle gets stuck in a storm:

• 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.