Hail Damage! Shield Your Client’s Ride and Their Loved Ones from Nature’s Fury: Be a Hero in Hail Protection

Imagine walking to your car and finding it battered by hailstones, wishing you had known the storm was coming so you could have taken steps to protect it. Hailstorms, with their sudden and destructive nature, can cause significant damage to vehicles, property and pose risks to personal safety. Beyond the financial impact, we understand that your clients face the emotional strain of being without their vehicle while waiting for hail damage repairs to be completed.

Nationwide claims data reveals that the average cost of repairing hail-damaged cars ranges from $3,000 to $13,000, excluding total losses.¹ Additionally, 20% of hail damaged cars are declared a total loss and taken off the road after a hail event.

Nationwide offers hail and weather alerts to proactively help protect your clients. Let’s dive into the science behind hail and the practical steps your clients can take to stay safe.

What is hail

Hail forms within strong thunderstorm clouds when updrafts carry raindrops upward into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. These droplets freeze and accumulate layers of ice before falling to the ground, once the weight of the hail overcomes the strength of the thunderstorm’s updraft. Hailstones can range in size from small pellets to large, baseball-sized chunks. The largest reported hailstone measured a whopping 1.9 lbs and measured 8.0 inches in diameter.² The larger the hailstone, the greater the potential for damage to vehicles, roofs, and even personal injury.

When does hail occur in the USA

The highest likelihood of hail occurs between the Rockies and Appalachians from mid-March to mid-August ³. Tornado alley states suffer the most from hail damage to autos, property and businesses.

• Hail alley: This region, stretching across parts of eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, and eastern Wyoming, is notorious for its frequent and severe hailstorms. Cities like Cheyenne, Denver, and Colorado Springs often experience multiple hailstorms each year.
• The Great Plains: States like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska experience a high number of hailstorms annually. A favorable overlap of specific atmospheric conditions in this region often creates an ideal scenario for hail. Dallas, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita, Kansas City, and Omaha are particularly vulnerable.
• Midwest states: Areas such as Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois also see significant hail activity. The varied weather patterns and frequent thunderstorms in cities like St. Louis, Des Moines, and Chicago contribute to the prevalence of hailstorms.

Hail safety tips for your clients

Hail and weather alerts: Stress the importance of staying informed about upcoming storms through hail and weather alerts from Nationwide.  Encourage your clients to sign up for hail alerts and move their car to a covered spot, once they receive an alert.  Text alerts are sent up to 30 minutes prior to a hail event, and if the weather forecast shifts, a notification could be sent five minutes before the event.

Share this link with clients to sign up for alerts.

Please share the following advice about protection from hail.

Protection from hail at home:

• Prepare the garage: Tidy up the garage to park vehicles inside when a hailstorm is approaching.
• Move vehicles: Before a hailstorm, move vehicles into the garage or a covered spot. Make sure to close the garage door completely.
• Use car covers: If their vehicle is parked outside the home, protect it from potential hail damage by using a hail-resistant car cover.
• Safety for pets and loved ones: Ensure pets and loved ones are inside the home.

Protection from hail while on the road:

• Stay inside the car: Remain inside the vehicle during a hailstorm.
• Find shelter: Take the nearest exit and find a covered spot to shelter.
• Park safely: Find a covered parking garage or a building with a strong overhang and park there.
• Be aware of traffic: Do not pull over under overpasses, bridges, and traffic lanes to minimize the risk of a collision.
• Protect yourself: Once the vehicle has stopped, ensure safety by shielding eyes with something like a piece of clothing.

Help your clients stay informed about more hail safety tips

Helping protect customers extends beyond offering insurance policies. By providing them with valuable information on how to protect their vehicles and loved ones from hail damage, you can help them avoid costly repairs and maintain peace of mind. Remember, when it comes to hail, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Equip your clients with the knowledge and tools they need to shield their ride and loved ones from nature’s fury!