What to Do When Driving in a Hail Storm: Tips to Protect You & Your Car
TL;DR:
Driving in a hailstorm puts you and your car at risk, so slowing down, finding shelter, and protecting your windshield make a big difference. Stay inside your vehicle, avoid sudden movements, and check for damage once the storm clears.
- Pull over safely
- Protect windshield and windows
- Minimize exterior damage
- Stay calm in low visibility
- Inspect your car after the storm
You're cruising down the highway when the sky suddenly turns dark. Within seconds, ice pellets start hammering your windshield and you're stuck in the middle of a hailstorm with nowhere to hide. It's a scenario that makes even experienced drivers nervous, and for good reason.
Can you drive in hail? Technically yes, but it depends on the severity. It might be manageable to drive in light hail, but larger stones can crack your windshield, dent your body panels, and create dangerous driving conditions. And you never really know when light hail will turn to heavy hail...
Pull Over Safely When Possible
If you do find yourself driving in a hail storm, your first action item should be to find shelter. Look for covered areas like gas stations, parking garages, or highway underpasses where you can wait out the storm. Just make sure you're not blocking traffic or creating a hazard for other drivers.
When pulling over, get as far off the road as possible and turn on your hazard lights. Other vehicles need to see you, especially since visibility drops dramatically during severe weather. Stay in your car with your seatbelt fastened—hailstorms often come with strong winds that can push other vehicles into your path.
Protect Your Windshield and Windows
Your windshield takes the brunt of hail damage and replacing it isn't cheap. If you can't find overhead cover, turn your car so the windshield faces away from the wind direction. Hail typically falls at an angle rather than straight down, so positioning your vehicle strategically can minimize impact on your most vulnerable glass surfaces.
Never get out of your car to inspect damage during the storm. Flying hail can cause serious injuries, and you're much safer inside your vehicle. If you're worried about how to protect your windshield from hail while driving, slow down significantly to reduce impact force. The faster you drive, the harder those ice pellets hit.
Shield Your Vehicle's Exterior
Understanding how to prevent hail damage on car surfaces starts with preparation. Paint protection film offers excellent defense against minor hail—it's a clear, durable layer that absorbs impacts before they reach your paint. Many car owners invest in this protective coating, especially when living in an area prone to hailstorms.
If you don’t have protection, try parking under trees or next to buildings that can provide partial coverage. Even if it isn’t perfect, minimal shelter reduces the number of direct hits your car takes.
Know the Dangers
Is it dangerous to drive in hail? Absolutely. Beyond vehicle damage, hailstorms create terrible road conditions. Ice accumulates quickly on pavement, turning highways into skating rinks. Your visibility drops to almost nothing when heavy hail bounces off your hood and windshield, and the noise inside your car becomes deafening.
Other drivers panic during hailstorms, leading to sudden braking and erratic lane changes. You need to stay calm, maintain extra following distance, and avoid sudden movements.
After the Storm Passes
Once it stops hailing, inspect your vehicle for damage before resuming your trip, and be sure to check for cracked glass, dented panels, and broken mirrors. Make sure to take pictures of everything if you plan to file an insurance claim later.
Final Thoughts
The key to driving in a hail storm is that you recognize when conditions become too dangerous and pull over rather than pushing through.
Investing in paint protection film and keeping emergency supplies in your vehicle gives you options when severe weather strikes. Remember that no appointment or deadline is worth risking your safety or totaling your car.
Get a quote for expert hail damage repair in Brookfield, WI.
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