When the mercury rises and the humidity follows, most of us start thinking about vacations and tropical getaways. But there’s another less pleasant side to summer: Hurricanes. Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes or not, these natural phenomena can wreak havoc on your life at any moment. Unfortunately, vehicle damage is one of the most common and costly hurricane-related expenses that people deal with every year. After inspection, various insurance agencies recorded property damage from Hurricane Irma at around $50 billion-$60 billion and insured losses of about $42 billion-$43 billion (excluding commercial properties). If you own a car, no matter where you live or how secure you think it is, we have some advice on how to protect your vehicle during hurricane season.
Maintain the condition of your vehicle
As vehicles get older, they become more susceptible to damage from outside forces—weather included. So, even if you live in a place that doesn’t experience hurricanes, it’s important to keep your vehicle in good condition. Regularly check your car’s fluids, tires, brakes, and lights, and keep an eye on any rust or other damage. If you notice any problems, get them fixed as quickly as possible. These minor issues are much easier to fix while they’re small rather than letting them build up to the point of being extremely costly or even dangerous. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, you’ll need to take extra care of your vehicle. Make sure it’s stored in a garage or other structure away from trees or other objects that could cause roof damage and result in flooding. You should also make sure your car’s tires are properly inflated and use correct antifreeze in your windshield washer.
Store your vehicle in a safe place
If you have time before the storm hits, you should store your vehicle in a garage or other structure that can shield it from wind and rain. If there isn’t an appropriate location for storing your vehicle close by, consider parking in an indoor lot, like a school parking garage or nearby shopping center. Unfortunately, not all of these places are safe to store a vehicle. If you’re in an area prone to hurricanes, you need to find a location that has a high probability of remaining intact throughout the storm. If you’re at a loss for where to store your vehicle, check with your insurance company to see if they have any recommendations. Your insurer will most likely have a database of safe and secure locations that they recommend to policyholders, especially if your vehicle is a high risk for damage due to its make, model, and year.
Have a mechanic check your vehicle before and during the storm
Just as you check your vehicle before a long road trip or a summer vacation, you should also have a mechanic check it before a hurricane hits. If there is a chance that your vehicle will be in an area where the storm warning is “Tropical Storm,” “Hurricane Watch,” or “Hurricane Warning,” have the mechanic perform a detailed inspection. If a hurricane is imminent and you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice, a mechanic can perform a quick and thorough check of your car. Even if you don’t expect to be in the path of a storm, it’s a good idea to have your mechanic check your vehicle during the hurricane season. If a hurricane is approaching, they can perform a final inspection and make sure that everything is in working order before the storm hits. This can help ensure that your car is ready when you need it most.
Don’t try to drive in a hurricane unless you have to
Everyone has seen the news clips of people trying to drive through flooding and other dangerous conditions that arise during a hurricane. No matter how badly you need to get somewhere or how important it is to get to work, don’t put yourself or others in danger by trying to drive in a hurricane. If the storm is too close for you to safely get to a safe location, stay where you are. If the hurricane is too close to stay put, there is no shame in calling 911 and asking for help evacuating. You can remain safe and sound while others are risking their lives by driving through flooding or getting stuck in storm surge. If you have to drive in a hurricane, be careful. Make sure to check the forecast and travel advisory before you go anywhere. Try to find a route that is not likely to have downed trees or power lines and avoid flooded roads if you can. Slow down, be patient, and don’t try to push yourself beyond your limits.
Protect your windows with tint and UV film
Windows are one of the most common areas of car damage during hurricanes, especially if they are in a high-risk area. To protect your car’s windows, you can install tint or UV film to help shield them from the elements. While the tint on your car’s windows won’t withstand a direct hit from a hurricane, it will help deflect some of the wind, rain, and debris that is flying through the air. If you live in an area where hurricanes are common and you have tint on your car’s windows, it’s likely to get damaged during a storm, but it may last longer than no protection at all. You can also buy special car window shields that can help protect your car’s windows during a hurricane. These shields are designed to help protect your windows from flying debris, and you can put them on before the storm hits.
Protect the tires, engine, and other parts
Your tires are likely to sustain the most damage from a hurricane, so you can protect them by covering them with plastic to keep out debris and water. You can also consider using an inflation sealant to plug holes in the tires. The engine is another part of your car that is likely to sustain damage during a hurricane since it’s under the hood. You can protect it by covering it with a tarp and securing it with bungees or rope. Don’t leave the tarp loose; winds can easily lift the tarp and send it flying at high speed. If your car is in a low- or moderate-risk area, you can protect other areas of your car by covering them with tarps or plastic sheets. Be careful not to cover any areas of your car that need to be open and exposed, like the engine.
Conclusion
Hurricanes can wreak havoc on cars in any part of the country. Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes or not, these natural phenomena can wreak havoc on your life at any moment. You can protect your car from hurricane damage by making sure it’s maintained, storing it in a safe place, having a mechanic check it before and during the storm, and protecting the tires, engine, and other parts.
