Did you know that each year in the United States hail causes approximately $1 billion in damage? This damage is done mostly to crops and property, such as homes and vehicles. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were over 6,000 major hailstorms in 2017, with Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Oklahoma leading the way in states with the most hail storms. Whether you live in one of these states or not, it's important to know how to protect your property from hail.

Because of their glass windows, vehicles are a type of property that is especially susceptible to hail damage. Here are a few ways to protect your vehicle from hail.

Keep Apprised of Bad Weather

At one time, one of the only ways to predict bad weather was to look up into the sky. Nowadays, with weather alert apps that can be downloaded onto your smartphone, keeping apprised of severe weather is easier than it's ever been. Usually, when there is a severe thunderstorm alert, it will provide information on whether or not to expect hail, and also what size of hail is heading your way.

If you don't get the alert, some signs of hail include sudden drops in temperature and funnel clouds in the sky. If you are out driving and know a hailstorm is on the way, seek shelter immediately.

Put Your Vehicle in the Garage

If you're at home, you'll want to make sure you put your vehicle in the garage. While large hail can cause extensive damage to your vehicle, even smaller-size hail can damage the exterior of your car, including your windows. If you don't have a garage, you can protect your vehicle by:

• Wrapping it in thick blankets
• Parking it beside a large building
• Getting to the nearest parking garage

If you're mostly concerned about your windshield getting damaged, you can take the floor mats out of your car and put them over your windshield.

What to Do About Hail Damage

If your car does receive hail damage, the first thing you should do is contact your insurance company to see if the repairs will be covered. In some instances, the damage may be so extensive that your car will be considered totaled.

If your windshield or windows suffered the most damage, an auto body repair shop, such as Lacey Collision Center, will be able to provide glass replacement services. Again, you will need to contact your insurance company to see if this is covered. In worst case scenarios, you will have to pay out of pocket. On average, it costs about $214 to replace a windshield.