Hurricane Season Car Care: Protecting Your Vehicle From Storm Damage

South Florida’s hurricane season runs June through November, and every storm season brings a wave of vehicles into our shop with damage that could have been reduced, or avoided, with a little preparation. Wind-driven debris, flooding, and falling branches are the most common causes of storm-related vehicle damage in our area. Here’s how to protect your car before the next storm and what to do if it still gets damaged.

Before a Storm Arrives

If you have access to a garage or covered parking, use it. If not, try to park away from trees, power lines, and anything that could fall or blow into your vehicle. Avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding, and consider parking on higher ground such as a parking garage’s upper levels if flooding is a serious concern in your neighborhood. Take photos of your vehicle’s current condition before the storm; it makes any insurance claim afterward much easier to document.

Flood Damage Is Often Hidden

Even a few inches of standing water can cause serious problems: electrical shorts, corrosion, mold in the carpet and upholstery, and damage to sensors and modules mounted low in the vehicle. If your car was in an area with standing water, don’t start the engine. Water in the engine or exhaust can cause major internal damage if you try to drive it. Have it towed and inspected before attempting to start it.

After the Storm Passes

Walk around your vehicle and check for dents, cracked glass, paint damage, and anything wedged underneath. Small dings from debris can look minor but sometimes hide deeper damage to panels or the frame. Document everything with photos before you file a claim or start any cleanup, and hold onto those photos even after the claim is filed.

Filing a Storm Damage Claim

Storm damage is typically covered under comprehensive coverage, not collision, so check your policy before assuming you’re not covered. Once you’ve filed a claim, remember that you have the right to choose your own repair shop, insurance companies cannot require you to use a specific one. We’re happy to provide a damage estimate and work directly with your insurance company on the claim.

Storm Damage to Your Vehicle?

Call Gonz Auto Collision Center at (561) 588-1401, or stop by our shop at 1401 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth Beach, for a damage inspection and repair estimate after any storm.