Causes & Effects of Hail Damage to Windshields

Hailstorms can strike without warning and leave behind a trail of devastation. For automobile owners, hailstorms may be a nightmare, especially if they affect the windshield. Ranging from tiny pellets to big chunks, hail can harm your car’s windshield severely, further compromising your safety. 

Dealing with hail damage to windshields can be a painstaking process, especially when you are left with a cracked windshield from hail.

Read on as we discuss how you can identify the causes behind hail-induced damage, study its impact on your windshield, learn about hail damage windshield repair, and follow preventive measures to avoid future instances. 

What Causes Hail Damage to Windshields?

Hailstones are created during intense thunderstorms. High-speed hailstone strikes have the potential to harm a windshield seriously.

Let’s find out how:

• Size and Density: Hailstones are composed of dense, solid layers of frozen water. Hence, bigger and denser hailstones cause more damage.
• Speed of Impact: Hailstones fall on the ground at speeds up to 100 mph. Moreover, if you’re driving at high speeds, you’re increasing the combined speed. This can allow even small hailstones to shatter your car’s windshield.
• Striking Angle: A direct hit can cause much more damage to your windshield than a side hit.
• Temperature: Cold glass is more brittle than normal. Hence, if you have a chilly windshield, it is more prone to cracking.
• Car Exposure: If you’ve parked your car in an open area, it naturally becomes a soft target for hail.
• Existing Damage: Neglecting a small chip can cause greater damage. Hail magnifies such chips into larger cracks that require auto glass repair & replacement.

Effects of Hail Damage on Your Windshield

Now, let’s understand the potential aftermath of hail damage to windshields. It is mainly of two types: cosmetic and structural.

Cosmetic Damage

Small hailstones may only cause cosmetic damage to your car’s body, such as:

• Dents without Paint Damage: Caused usually by small hailstones, these don’t peel off your car’s paint but can reduce your car’s resale value.
• Chipped Paint with Dents: Larger hailstones can damage your car’s paint and form deep dents that need repair and repainting.

Structural Damage

While cosmetic damage does not compromise your car’s safety, structural damage can lead to serious consequences. Here are some common structural damages.

• Isolated Chips and Pits: They cause glare, especially at night, and tend to spread to form larger cracks if left unattended. 
• Cracks: These radiate outward from their point of origin, compromising your windshield’s shielding power and hindering visibility, and usually require windshield repair.
• Shattered Windshield: During harsh hailstorms, large pebble-like hail can shatter your windshield completely, thus mandating windshield replacement.
• Body & Engine Damage: Very large hailstones falling with huge force can bend your car’s body or even damage the engine.  
• Water Leaks: Damaged cracks create gaps through which water can seep in, causing a damp, unpleasant smell and electrical short circuits.
• Safety System Issues: Hail damage can affect smart features like emergency braking and assisted lane maintenance, which depend on sensors installed in the windshield.  

What to Do After Your Windshield Suffers Hail Damage

Here are some steps you can take immediately after noticing hail damage to your windshield:

Assess Damage

Check where chips and cracks have occurred. Consider an expert mobile windshield replacement service for a thorough damage assessment at your convenient location.

Contact Insurance

In Florida, state laws mandate that insurance companies cover windshield repair and replacement without any deductible, provided the policyholder has comprehensive coverage. Verify with your insurance company if your policy indeed has comprehensive coverage.

Get the Repair or Replacement Done

Hire an auto glass repair & replacement professional to resolve the damage. The most common repairs include paintless dent repair (PDR), sanding, and repainting cracks or chipped paint. If the damage worsens, you may need a windshield or side window replacement. 

Refrain from Driving

Don’t try to drive with severely damaged windshields, as it will not only compromise your visibility but also weaken the overall structural integrity of your vehicle.

How to Protect Your Windshield from Hail Damage

While you cannot predict weather adversities, you can take proactive measures to protect your car from hail damage. Let’s understand them.

• Park Under Cover: Park your car in garages or carports whenever possible. The more coverage you can offer, the less likely it is that hailstones will strike your windshield directly.
• Buy a Hail Cover: Purchase hail-resistant covers to absorb impacts and avoid serious damage. They cost around $100.
• Stay Updated: Watch weather forecasts and move your car to a safer place if needed.
• Use Floor Mats as Shields: Put your car’s floor mats on your windshield, rubber side up.
• Draw your Side Mirrors in: Pull in your side mirrors as close to the car’s body as you can to protect the glass.
• Get Small Chips Repaired: Do not underestimate small, isolated chips. Get them repaired by a professional early on to ensure it does not turn into a large crack.

Conclusion

Your windshield is not a mere piece of glass. It protects you from the weather. Therefore, do not risk your safety. Instead, try maintaining the safety and aesthetics of your car by understanding the causes and impact of hail damage and being aware of the steps to follow before and after the damage.

If you’re dealing with a severely damaged windshield, consult professionals without delay. At NuVision Auto Glass, our experienced team is ready to help. With a strong commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer support, we offer comprehensive hail damage repair services to restore your windshield’s integrity and keep you safe on the road.

FAQs

Does insurance cover hail damage to windshields?

Most comprehensive policies do. Make sure you verify your policy’s clauses before raising a claim.

How big does hail have to be to damage your windshield?

Small hailstones can cause chips and dents, while larger ones can completely shatter auto glass.

Is it worth it to claim hail damage on a car?

If you have a comprehensive coverage policy, claiming hail damage makes sense, especially if the windshield has been damaged.

Can windshields survive hail?

Yes, newer, upgraded models can withstand quite some impact; however, severe storms can cause significant damage.