There’s no doubting that hail can really damage your car, and even the smallest of hail can do some minor damage by the way of dents to your car. While there are times you can be caught out with nowhere to go, there are some ways that you can minimise hail damage to your car.
Covered Parking
If you are driving, make your way to the closest underground or covered parking area. This may be a shopping centre, parking station or petrol station. If you are at home, move your car into your garage or under a cover such as a shade sail or roof.
Don’t have access to a covered parking area? While there may not be a lot you can do if you are out and about, if you are at home, covering your car with blankets, doona or hail car cover can help minimise the damage to your car. If you are stuck out on the roads, in a pinch you can use your floor mats over your windscreen to provide some protection.
It is advised that if the hail is large or you risk getting hit by hail getting out of your car or going to your car to cover it, you may be best to bunker down.
Check the Weather Forecast
Many people have been caught out in hail by not checking a weather forecast. While it may look sunny and cloud-free in the morning, this can change quickly. If it is forecasted to hail or storm that day, look at either delaying your travel, getting out before the storm is expected to help, or take another form of transport.
Ensure You Have Insurance
Hail damage can be expensive to fix, and if there are several vehicles in your area hit by hail, repairs could take some time. Having comprehensive insurance means that your vehicle is covered for repairs from hail damage, and if your car happens to sustain major damage and is written off, you can be reasonably confident that your car will be paid out at either market or agreed value, whichever option you chose.
For the small additional amount a year, you may like to consider including a hire car option in your insurance – this gives you the benefit of having transport while your car is being repaired.
Keep a Blanket or Towel in Your Car
It is understandable that sometimes you will be caught out in a hailstorm and be unable to cover your car. While you may not be able to protect your car in this circumstance, you can certainly protect yourself. Stop driving and pull over somewhere safe, move your seat as far back as possible taking you away from the windscreen, and cover yourself with a blanket or towel in case your windscreen smashes. If you have small children in the car, you may like to move to the back of the car and cover them as well on the odd chance a side or back window is damaged by hail.
Stay Clear of Potential Debris
While it may make sense to be under whatever cover you can find, it’s not safe to park under a tree or tree branch. If the storm picks up and there is a lot of wind, these branches can break, while the tree itself can simply fall over if the ground becomes too wet. The last thing you want is for a tree or branch to fall on your car damaging it and injuring yourself.
Car Damaged by Hail, Now What?
If you have roadside assistance of any means, place a call to have your car towed to a safe place. If your windscreen isn’t cracked or smashed, you may be able to continue to drive to a safe place. Once you have assessed the damage to your car, place a call to your insurance company to get a claim started.
Is it just your windscreen that is damaged? Autoscreens can come to your home or place of work across Perth to replace your windscreen quickly and easily. The experienced and professional team can assist with a range of car glass replacement services including windscreen replacement, car body glass replacement, dealership and fleet, and removes and refits/reseals.
Jason Squire started Autoscreens in 2010. With over 35 years of experience gained in both the UK and Australia, the company is well established as a leading provider of windscreen replacement and autoglass repairs in Perth.
His journey to becoming a certified repairer license holder status with DMIRS (and business repair license MRB3703) began many years ago. He was born and brought up in the UK – the country where his long career in the automotive industry began. In common with many of the world’s best tradespeople it all started with an apprenticeship. For Jason, this was in vehicle bodybuilding and a specialisation in vehicle conversions.
He followed that up with several additional professional qualifications, including a Grade A Vehicle Body Building Certificate from the Road Transport Industry, a GQA level 2 in NVQ Automotive Glazing and a Level 2 qualification in Joining Materials by Welding from the UK Engineer Training Authority.
During his studies, Jason was also a part-time volunteer in the Royals signals with the Reserve Territorial Army. Between 1991 and 1995, Jason completed his Phase One Signallers Course with the Royal Armoured Corps and was awarded a Certificate of Trade Proficiency as a Territorial Army Driver Electrician Class 3. Training exercises took him all over Europe. He also represented the Signals in Rugby.
From there, he joined the armed forces on a full-time basis with the Queens Royal Lancers and continued to impress with his leadership skills and willingness to broaden his skillset, during which he lived in Germany. In 1996, he graduated from the Queens Royal Lancer Leadership Academy where he was named best recruit. His time with the Queens Royal Lancers he qualified as Tank Driver, Crew Medic and Gunner.
In 1999, Jason left the armed forces to join RAC Auto Windscreens. His skillset enabled him to fast-track his career to base supervisor and lead technician working with premiere dealerships in Crewe, Cheshire.
He also continued to volunteer in a number of different areas, including as a first responder with the West Midlands Ambulance Service and a scout leader with the Scout Association.
He relocated to Australia in 2008 with his young family and spent his first two years down under as a head technician for a national windscreen company.
However, with all his experience, extensive qualifications and his abiding passion for the automotive industry, it was inevitable that he would start his own company and make his mark as an industry leader.
He started Autoscreens in 2010 and has grown the business into the leading windscreen repair and replacement company in Perth, servicing both domestic and commercial customers. Autoscreens has a certified Motor Vehicle Repairers Licence MRB3703 issued by the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.