Bracing for the Ice-Bomb: How to Protect Your Car in an Impending Hailstorm
Before the Storm Hits
Get under cover early if you can — a garage, carport, or even a shopping-centre car park. Avoid trees; branches and hail make for a messy mix. No shelter? Throw blankets, floor mats, or whatever padding you’ve got across the windscreen. It won’t make your car bulletproof, but it’ll help.
On the Road When It Starts
If the hail comes while you’re driving, slow down and find a safe spot to pull over. Angle the nose of the car into the oncoming hail — your windscreen’s tougher than side glass. Stay inside until it passes; hailstones can do more harm than you think.
After the Storm
Check the car as soon as it’s safe. Tiny chips in the windscreen can spread fast with vibration and heat. Small chip? Get it repaired before it becomes a crack. Cracked or shattered windscreen, or damage in your line of sight? Replacement’s the go — don’t gamble on visibility or safety.
Insurance and Timing
Snap photos of the damage before doing anything else. Contact your insurer quickly — hail events bring a rush of claims. Most comprehensive policies cover hail, but check your excess and whether glass repair is included.
Going Forward
After repairs or replacement, keep parking under cover where you can. In hail-prone parts of NSW and QLD, consider a proper hail cover or carport investment. A bit of planning and prompt repair keeps your car — and your windscreen — out of the storm’s casualty list.
Choosing Repair vs Replacement
A quick fix can save your windscreen if the chip’s smaller than a five-cent piece and away from the driver’s view. Anything larger or deeper, or sitting right in your eyeline, usually calls for full replacement. Modern windscreens are structural — they help the airbags deploy correctly and add stiffness to the cabin — so don’t treat them as just another pane of glass.
What a Proper Job Looks Like
A solid replacement uses certified glass and adhesive that meets Australian safety standards. If your car’s newer, make sure the installer recalibrates any driver-assist cameras or sensors. Skipping that step can throw off lane-keeping or auto-braking systems without you realising.
Common Myths About Hail Damage
“Boiling water pops out dents.” It doesn’t — and it can crack paint. “Park under a tree; the leaves will soften the blow.” They won’t, and falling limbs make things worse. “If you can’t see the chip, it’s fine.” Invisible cracks can grow overnight, especially in hot-cold weather swings.
DIY or Professional Help?
DIY resin kits can work for very small chips if you’re confident and patient. But for anything deeper, or if the damage sits near the edge of the windscreen, go professional. A botched repair can trap air bubbles that spread the crack faster.
Final Thoughts
Hailstorms are part of Aussie life — unpredictable, loud, and short-lived. Preparation is the difference between a quick wash-down and a costly replacement. Protect the car when you can, inspect it after, and don’t ignore even the smallest chip. Glass, after all, remembers every storm.
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