Hail causes over $1.6 billion in vehicle damage annually in the United States, with some individual storms creating hundreds of millions in losses. Yet many vehicle owners don't think about hail protection until after damage occurs. With 2025's hail season approaching, now is the time to prepare.
This guide helps you understand your regional risk, implement prevention strategies, and know exactly what to do when severe weather threatens.
Understanding Hail Season
When Hail Happens
Hail risk varies significantly by season and region:
Peak Season: April through July
- May and June are the most active months nationwide
- Spring and early summer create ideal atmospheric conditions
- Warm, moist air meeting cold fronts triggers severe storms
Regional Variations:
- Southern Plains: March through June (peak: May)
- Northern Plains: May through August (peak: June-July)
- Midwest: April through July (peak: May-June)
- Mountain West: May through September (afternoon storms)
- Southeast: March through May (early season)
- Northeast: May through August (less frequent but can be severe)
High-Risk Areas
Some regions face significantly higher hail risk:
Hail Alley (Highest Risk):
- Eastern Colorado
- Wyoming
- Western Nebraska
- Western Kansas
- Texas Panhandle
- Eastern New Mexico
High Risk Areas:
- Oklahoma
- Kansas (all regions)
- Nebraska
- South Dakota
- North Texas
- Alabama
- Illinois
Moderate Risk:
- Most of the Central U.S.
- Parts of the Southeast
- Mountain states
Lower Risk:
- Coastal regions
- Pacific Northwest
- New England
- Far northern states
Check Your Specific Risk: Visit NOAA's Storm Prediction Center for detailed regional hail climatology.
Before Hail Season: Preparation Strategies
1. Secure Covered Parking
The single most effective protection against hail damage is keeping your vehicle covered.
Ideal Solutions:
- Garage: Best protection, also shields from sun, rain, snow
- Carport: Good protection from vertical hail impact
- Covered parking structure: Excellent for work parking
If You Don't Have Coverage:
- Research nearby parking garages for emergency use
- Identify covered parking at shopping centers, parking structures
- Make arrangements with friends/family who have garages
- Consider installing a carport (ROI is positive after one major storm)
Cost vs. Benefit:
- Basic carport: $1,000-$3,000
- Average hail repair: $2,500-$4,000
- One storm prevented pays for the structure
2. Invest in Protective Covers
If permanent structures aren't available, portable protection offers alternatives:
Hail Car Covers:
- Specialized inflatable or padded covers
- Cost: $200-$600
- Provides cushioning against hail impact
- Must be deployed before storm arrives
Considerations:
- Requires advance warning (10-15 minutes to deploy)
- Storage space needed
- Only practical if you're present to deploy
- Not foolproof but significantly reduces damage
Moving Blankets/Pads:
- Emergency protection in a pinch
- Layer thick blankets secured over vehicle
- Protect most vulnerable areas (hood, roof, windshield)
- Better than nothing, not as effective as purpose-built covers
3. Review Insurance Coverage
Hail season is the worst time to discover you're underinsured.
Coverage Checklist:
✓ Comprehensive coverage - Required for hail protection ✓ Deductible - Do you know your comprehensive deductible amount? ✓ Actual cash value vs. replacement cost - Understand depreciation ✓ Rental coverage - Will you have transportation during repairs? ✓ Diminished value - Some states allow claims for reduced resale value
Questions to Ask Your Agent:
- What's my comprehensive deductible?
- Are there any limitations on hail coverage?
- What's the claims process for hail damage?
- Do I have rental coverage and for how long?
- Is there appearance allowance instead of full repair?
Consider Adjusting:
- Lower deductible if you're in high-risk area (balances monthly premium vs. out-of-pocket risk)
- Add rental coverage if not included
- Review coverage limits on high-value vehicles
4. Create Emergency Action Plan
When severe weather hits, you need to act fast. Plan ahead:
Identify Safe Parking:
- List nearby parking garages with addresses
- Note friends/family with garages willing to help
- Research 24-hour accessible covered parking
- Save locations in phone for quick access
Prepare Emergency Kit:
- Protective covers (if you have them)
- Moving blankets or thick towels
- Bungee cords or ropes to secure covers
- Flashlight (storms often cause power outages)
- Phone charger and power bank
Establish Communication:
- Sign up for weather alerts on phone
- Download weather radar app (Weather Underground, RadarScope)
- Follow local NWS office on social media
- Identify reliable weather information sources
During Hail Season: Staying Alert
Monitor Weather Forecasts
Spring and summer require weather vigilance in hail-prone areas:
Daily Habits:
- Check morning forecast before leaving home
- Review afternoon forecasts (many hail storms develop 2-6 PM)
- Monitor severe weather outlooks from Storm Prediction Center
- Pay attention to "severe thunderstorm watch" and "warning" differences
Technology Tools:
- Weather apps: Enable severe weather alerts
- Radar apps: Track storms in real-time
- NOAA Weather Radio: Automatic alerts 24/7
- Social media: Follow local meteorologists and NWS offices
Understand Weather Warnings
Know what different alerts mean:
Severe Thunderstorm Watch:
- Conditions are favorable for severe storms
- Action: Stay alert, monitor weather, have plan ready
Severe Thunderstorm Warning:
- Severe storm detected, approaching your area
- Action: Seek shelter, move vehicle if possible and safe
Hail Mentioned in Warning:
- Warning specifically mentions hail and size
- Action: Immediate vehicle protection if possible
Time Factor:
- You often have 10-30 minutes warning
- Use this time wisely to protect vehicles
When Severe Weather Threatens
If You're Home:
- Pull vehicles into garage immediately
- If no garage, move to carport or covered area
- Deploy protective covers if you have them
- As last resort, park next to building (reduces exposure to one side)
If You're At Work:
- Move to covered parking structure if available
- Ask to park in loading dock or under overhangs
- Coordinate with coworkers to share garage space
- Don't risk driving into the storm to get home
If You're Out and About:
- Seek covered parking garage immediately
- Park under gas station canopy (ask permission)
- Use bank drive-through covers
- Fast food drive-throughs often have substantial covers
- Last resort: park under highway overpass (only if storm is imminent and you're already there)
Safety First: Never drive into a hailstorm to find coverage. If caught in hail while driving:
- Pull over safely
- Stay in vehicle (safest place during storm)
- Turn away from windows
- Cover head and eyes
- Wait for storm to pass (usually 5-15 minutes)
After a Hail Event: Immediate Actions
Even with preparation, damage sometimes happens:
Immediate Steps:
- Safety assessment of vehicle
- Move to covered parking to prevent further damage
- Document damage with photos
- Contact insurance within 24-48 hours
- Get repair estimates
See our guide: "When Hail Hits: Immediate Steps to Protect Your Vehicle" for detailed post-storm actions.
Special Situations
Multi-Vehicle Households
Challenge: Multiple vehicles, limited covered parking
Strategies:
- Prioritize newest or highest-value vehicle
- Park second vehicle beside building
- Consider rotating which vehicle gets covered parking during high-risk periods
- Investigate portable garages or additional carports
Apartment/Condo Living
Challenge: No personal garage, limited control over parking
Solutions:
- Choose apartments with covered parking when possible
- Negotiate parking garage access if available for fee
- Research nearby commercial parking structures
- Consider renter's insurance with comprehensive vehicle coverage
Classic or High-Value Vehicles
Challenge: Higher stakes, potentially higher repair costs
Protection Strategies:
- Climate-controlled garage (you probably have this already)
- Premium protective covers
- Lower insurance deductible
- Consider specialized collector car insurance
- Extra vigilance during hail season
Work Vehicles and Fleets
Challenge: Multiple vehicles, commercial value, operational impact
Business Strategies:
- Designate covered parking for highest-value vehicles
- Invest in portable structures or expandable coverage
- Weather monitoring systems with alerts
- Employee training on storm response
- Insurance review for fleet coverage adequacy
Long-Term Preparedness
Make Hail Awareness a Habit
In high-risk regions, hail awareness becomes part of life:
- Check weather before making plans during peak season
- Avoid leaving vehicles exposed during severe weather watches
- Keep emergency contacts and parking options current
- Review and update insurance annually before season begins
Community Resources
Many communities offer resources:
- Public parking structures that welcome storm parking
- Community weather warning systems
- Hail damage assessment events after major storms
- Insurance company guidance and claim centers
Climate Trends
Be aware that hail patterns may be changing:
- Some regions seeing increased frequency
- Storm intensity may be increasing in some areas
- Traditional "hail season" may be extending
- Stay informed about trends in your specific region
The Bottom Line
Hail damage is largely preventable with proper preparation and quick action. While you can't control the weather, you can control how you protect your investment.
2025 Preparation Checklist:
✓ Secure covered parking or research emergency options ✓ Review insurance coverage and deductibles ✓ Install weather alert apps and enable notifications ✓ Create emergency action plan ✓ Gather protective materials (covers, blankets, etc.) ✓ Save locations of nearby covered parking ✓ Educate family members on storm response ✓ Schedule insurance review before peak season
Remember:
- 10 minutes of preparation can save thousands in repairs
- Insurance covers repair costs, but prevention eliminates hassle
- Regional risk varies—understand your specific exposure
- Technology makes weather monitoring easier than ever
As 2025's hail season approaches, take action now. Review your situation, implement appropriate protections, and create your emergency plan. When severe weather strikes, you'll be ready to protect your vehicle quickly and effectively.
Preparation isn't paranoia—it's prudent vehicle ownership in hail-prone regions. Don't wait until you're watching dents appear on your hood to wish you'd planned ahead. Use these strategies now, and face hail season with confidence instead of anxiety.