What To Do If You're Caught Driving in a Hailstorm

When the Sky Starts Throwing Ice

Hailstorms can develop fast. One minute you're driving under grey skies, the next your windshield sounds like it's under attack from a drum line. If you've never been caught in serious hail while driving, it's genuinely alarming — and your instincts in those first few seconds matter.

The good news is that a few simple decisions can keep you safe and minimize vehicle damage. Here's what to actually do.

Step One: Get Off the Road and Under Cover

This is the single most important action you can take. Your number one priority is finding overhead cover.

•Gas station canopies are your best friend in a hailstorm. They're designed to shelter vehicles and they're everywhere along major roads.

•Parking garages offer excellent protection if you're near a commercial area.

•Drive-through car washes can work in a pinch — you're looking for anything with a roof.

•Overpasses and bridges can provide partial shelter, but use caution. Don't stop in a traffic lane. Only pull under an overpass if you can safely get completely off the roadway onto a shoulder.

•Large building overhangs like hotel porticos or loading docks can shield your car if you can safely access them.

The key word is safely. Don't drive recklessly trying to reach cover. If shelter is more than a minute or two away, it's better to just pull over where you are.

Step Two: If No Cover Is Available, Pull Over Safely

When there's no overhead shelter within immediate reach, the next best thing is simply stopping.

•Pull as far off the road as you can. Use parking lots, wide shoulders, or side streets. Get away from traffic.

•Turn on your hazard lights. Other drivers need to see you, especially since hailstorms usually come with heavy rain and reduced visibility.

•Angle your vehicle so the hail hits the front. If you can, position your car so the windshield faces the storm. Windshields are laminated safety glass designed to take impacts without shattering. Side and rear windows are tempered glass that can (and does) shatter from hail impacts. Your windshield is your strongest piece of glass.

•Stay in the car. Your vehicle is far safer than being outside. Even small hail can cause injuries, and large hail can be genuinely dangerous to an unprotected person.

Step Three: Protect Yourself Inside the Vehicle

Once you're stopped, take steps to protect yourself and your passengers:

•Move away from the windows. If you can, lean toward the center of the vehicle. If hail breaks a side window, you don't want to be leaning against it.

•Cover yourself with a blanket, jacket, or floor mats. This sounds overly cautious until you've seen what 2-inch hail does to tempered glass. If a window does break, having a layer of fabric between you and the flying glass makes a real difference.

•Don't look up at the sunroof or moonroof. If your vehicle has one, the glass overhead is a vulnerability. Keep your head down and your eyes away from it.

•Keep your seatbelt on. If another driver loses control in the storm and hits your stopped vehicle, you want to be buckled in.

What NOT to Do During a Hailstorm

People make predictable mistakes when hail starts falling. Avoid these:

•Don't keep driving at highway speed. Hail hitting a stationary car does far less damage than hail hitting a car at 70 mph. The closing speed matters enormously.

•Don't try to outrun the storm. Hailstorms shift direction unpredictably, and driving fast through reduced visibility is more dangerous than the hail itself.

•Don't get out of your car to cover it. Your body is softer than your car's body panels. Hailstones large enough to dent a car can fracture bones and cause concussions. Your car can be repaired — you're harder to fix.

•Don't pull over in a low-lying area near a creek or drainage channel. Hailstorms often come with flash flooding. Water rises fast and you don't want to be sitting in its path.

•Don't slam on your brakes on the highway. Hail creates slippery road conditions, and sudden braking can cause you to lose control or get rear-ended. Slow down gradually and pull over deliberately.

•Don't park under trees. It seems logical — trees provide cover. But hail strong enough to damage your car is strong enough to break branches. Falling limbs will do far more damage than the hail itself.

After the Storm Passes

Once the hail stops, take a few minutes before jumping back on the road:

•Check yourself and your passengers. Make sure nobody was injured, especially if any glass broke during the storm.

•Walk around your vehicle. Do a quick visual inspection for broken glass, significant body damage, or any functional issues like cracked lights or a damaged windshield that impairs visibility.

•Check your windshield carefully. Hail can create chips and cracks that spread quickly with temperature changes. If you see significant cracking, drive slowly and get it assessed soon.

•Watch for road hazards. Roads are often covered in ice, standing water, and debris after a hailstorm. Drive cautiously for the first several miles.

•Document the damage. If your car took hits, snap photos right away while the damage is fresh and the context (hail on the ground, storm conditions) is visible. This documentation helps with insurance claims.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Hail Season

If you live in an area where hailstorms are common, a little preparation goes a long way:

•Park in a garage whenever possible. This is the single most effective protection. If your garage is full of storage, clearing space for your vehicle is worth it during storm season.

•Pay attention to weather forecasts. Hailstorms develop from severe thunderstorms that meteorologists track and warn about. When a severe thunderstorm warning mentions hail, take it seriously.

•Keep a hail blanket or padded car cover in your trunk. Purpose-built hail covers can significantly reduce damage. If you have a few minutes of warning, throwing one on beats doing nothing.

•Carry comprehensive auto insurance. If your vehicle does get caught in a storm, comprehensive coverage means the repair cost is limited to your deductible. For most people in hail-prone regions, this coverage pays for itself over time.

•Know where covered parking exists along your regular routes. If you drive the same commute every day, mentally note the gas stations, parking garages, and other covered spots along the way. When hail starts, you'll know exactly where to head instead of searching in a panic.

Already Dealing With Hail Damage?

If a recent storm left your vehicle looking like a golf ball, the damage is almost certainly repairable through paintless dent repair — and usually covered by insurance. Sick of Hail specializes in exactly this situation. We handle the insurance process, repair the damage without repainting, and get your vehicle back to its pre-storm condition. Reach out for a free damage assessment and let us take it from here.