Hail season in Colorado: How you can be prepared

With severe storms more common in our daily forecasts, the risk of hail damage is something people in southern Colorado should be thinking about.

Although clouds can move in quickly, there are ways you can reduce the chances of getting caught in the storm.

First, it is important to be prepared for hail. Before the storms come in, it is a good time for car owners to check their insurance coverage and make sure there will be no surprises if you happen to get stuck in a hail storm.

Since hail is considered a natural disaster, full coverage plans will cover hail, and rates will not go up. For liability coverage, in many cases, hail damage is not covered.

It is also important to stay up to date on changes in the weather. Keep up with the forecast and make sure you have a plan in place if you have hail headed your way.

If you find yourself in a hail situation, it is best to try to find a place to park that is covered, like a garage or carport.

If there is nowhere to park that is covered, large buildings can also help drivers avoid damage. If hail is coming in from the east, park on the west side of the building for some protection.

There are also car covers and hail blankets specifically designed to protect vehicles from hail. While many companies say they guarantee protection, some of these covers can be pricey — products from hailblankets.com run around $350 to $400.

Even for people who are most prepared, it is always possible that you might be driving or unable to find refuge from the hail, no matter how hard you try to avoid it.

Lance Goss, owner of Dentagon Auto Hail Repair, says that is where a reliable shop comes in.

“Do your research. You get a pretty good feel for who the good guys are in this business and choose wisely in that regard,” said Goss.

Goss also recommends taking a car in immediately after a hail storm to get an appraisal before contacting an insurance company.

He says it can help customers find out the best way to move forward, and in some cases, he recommends minor damage being handled out of pocket.

Remember, you can always stay ahead of the storms with our StormTracker 13 App for radar and alerts about severe weather. Just search “KRDO” in your app store.