Fear of hail leads to creative vehicle protection in El Paso County

With storms expected this week, vehicle owners are trying a variety of methods to protect their automobiles or prevent further damage.

Specialized hail blankets are available at some stores and online, but they can be expensive.

Drivers are trying anything that might withstand the impact of larger hailstones, such as those that fell in two area storms this summer.

Cardboard, blankets and even bubble wrap from packages are some of the materials being used.

But many auto body repairmen said shelter is the only true protection.

“I’ve see people use mattresses on their vehicles,” said repairman Joe Larma. “But my advice is to park your car in a garage or under a carport. If you have too much stuff in your garage, then it’s time to clean it out. It’s not easy to find a material that will absorb the impact from a serious hailstorm.”

John Bailey lost one of his two vehicles in the June hailstorm, replaced it and has taken steps to protect them from future storms.

“Luckily, I wasn’t home during the last hailstorm,” he said. “But an overhang I made out of a tarp got shredded. I put blankets on the top of my vehicles, cardboard on the rear windshields and cushions on the front windshields.”

Bailey said he plans to buy a carport and have it installed soon so that he can park both his vehicles under it.

Gena Taddy said both windshields in her minivan broke during last week’s hailstorm. She has had the damage repaired but sees no need to cover her van.

“With my hail replacement, I got a six-month warranty,” she said. “So if it happens again, they’ll fix it. I also upped my insurance to full coverage, so I’m good to go.”