Take Care of Your Ride While You “Ride Out” the Storm

Here in Central Florida, we are no stranger to storms of various magnitudes. From our (almost) daily summer thundershowers, to the occasional hurricane that blows through from the coast, we have become accustomed to taking precautions by stocking up on vital supplies (food, water, batteries, etc.) and making sure our home is protected from damage.  However, in the flurry of preparing for and surviving the large-scale storms, one thing is often forgotten: your vehicle.

Your car can take a beating during a tropical storm or hurricane as well.  Even a routine thunderstorm carries risks (like hail) for your car.  So, how should you protect it?

Well, a guaranteed way to protect your car is by keeping it inside.  If you can park in your garage, DO IT.  Even if it means clearing out things in storage, it’s worth it to be able to park your vehicle in an environment that has a cooler temperature, no direct sunlight beating down on it, and no threat of storm damage. However, if you can’t park inside your garage, or you don’t have a garage or covered parking space, you can still make sure your car stays safe when storms roll through.

First, make sure any loose objects around your home are secured.  Lawn furniture, toys, decor, etc. are all accidents just waiting to happen in hurricane-force winds.  They can cause serious damage to not only your car, but your home as well.  When a storm is on the way, either bring things inside, or secure them tightly.

Secondly, do your best to shield your vehicle by parking it in the most protected environment possible.  If you have large trees that could be a threat (falling branches, tree blows down, etc.) and you usually park under or around them, consider moving your car to an area out of the “strike zone”.  By making sure there is distance between your car and the potential for falling branches, you are less likely to find a tree limb through your windshield when the sun comes back out.

Finally, take care of your car during the days following the storm.  Tropical storms and hurricanes are usually accompanied by flooding, and even though water might look shallow, the depth is deceiving and can end up running your car by filling the engine, destroying the transmission, etc.  A general rule of thumb is to check the nearest curb.  If the water is level with, or higher than, the curb, DON’T drive through it.  It’s better to spend a few extra minutes determining a different route than ruining your car and, literally, ending up with it dead in the water.

Of course, the best way to protect your car in any weather conditions is to make sure your auto insurance policy is current and adequate.  Make sure your coverage allows for claims related to storm damage, and make sure you have enough coverage to provide for another car if something disastrous takes place.  Don’t know how to read all the fine print and details…or not sure if you even have any protection at all?  We can help!  Carroll Marshall Insurance offers coverage from some of the best providers in the insurance industry, and we can help you put together the perfect policy to protect not only your vehicle, but your home, your family, and YOU as well.

When the storms roll through Polk County this summer, be prepared.  Let Carroll Marshall Insurance help.