You’re driving along and suddenly hail starts pelting your car. You may be wondering, what size hail will damage your car?
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Introduction
There is no definitive answer when it comes to what size hail will damage your car. It depends on the type of car you have and the severity of the hail storm. However, here is a general guide to help you determine if your car has been damaged by hail.
What Size Hail Damages Cars?
Hailstones can range in size from as small as a pea to as large as a softball, with the average hailstone being about the size of a quarter. While some hailstone sizes can cause minor dents and dings, others can cause major damage, even totaling your car. So, what size hail damages cars?
Dents
Dents are the most common type of hail damage. They can vary greatly in size and depth, and can be found on any part of the car. Dents can be repaired with a range of methods, depending on the severity of the damage.
Cracks
Cracks in your car’s paint, glass, or plastic trim are usually cosmetic and don’t affect the car’s structure or mechanical components.
Windows
When hail hits a car, it can shatter glass and leave behind chips and cracks. Even small pieces of hail can cause significant damage, so it’s important to know what to do if your car is caught in a hailstorm.
The first step is to assess the damage. If the hail is small, you might only see cosmetic damage in the form of dings and dents. But if the hail is large, it could crack or break your windows. In severe cases, hail can even cause structural damage to your car.
If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance will likely cover the cost of repairs. But if you only have liability insurance, you will be responsible for the entire repair bill.
The size of the hail is one of the most important factors in determining the amount of damage it can do to your car. Here are some general guidelines:
-Dimes and quarters: These are small pieces of hail that can cause cosmetic damage like dings and dents. They might also crack windshields or break side windows.
-Golf balls: These are larger pieces of hail that can cause serious damage to your car. They can shatter windshields, break side windows, and dent roofs and hoods.
-Baseballs: These are very large pieces of hail that can cause extensive damage to your car. They can break windshields, side windows, roofs, hoods, and mirrors. They can also dent doors and fenders.
How to Protect Your Car From Hail
Hailstones can range in size from 5 mm to 150 mm in diameter. How much damage they will do to your car depends on their size, as well as the type of car you have. Smaller hailstone can cause cosmetic damage to your car, while larger hailstone can cause serious damage, such as cracked windshields or dents. To protect your car from hail, you can park it in a garage or under a tree. You can also buy a hailstone protection cover for your car.
Garage
If you have a garage, park your car inside to protect it from hail. If you don’t have a garage, try to find a spot under a tree or another structure that will provide some protection. If you can’t find any shelter, try to park in a spot that is lower than the surrounding area so that hail will have less of an opportunity to damage your car.
Car Cover
The best way to protect your car from hail is to purchase a car cover. Car covers come in a variety of materials, including cloth and polyethylene. Cloth car covers are less expensive, but they provide less protection than polyethylene car covers. Polyethylene car covers are more expensive, but they provide more protection against hail damage. If you live in an area where hail is common, it is worth the investment to purchase a polyethylene car cover.
Hail-resistant paint
Several paint manufacturers, including PPG, Dupont and BASF have developed special paint formulas that are more resistant to hailstones. These formulations use stronger binders and harder ceramic spheres that are designed to resist impacts. The paints are typically more expensive than standard formulations, but they can help protect your car’s finish from severe hail damage.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you should now have a better understanding of the different sizes of hail and the damage that they can cause to your car. It is important to remember that even small hail can cause damage, so it is always best to err on the side of caution and take your car to a professional if you are unsure.
