Top 3 Auto Perils Between March and May

What do you think are the top three hazards car owners face between March and May? If you said
hail, water, and wind you’d be correct.

The insurance industry relies heavily on historical data to predict the future. According to Farmers Seasonal Smarts Digest, while April showers may bring May flowers, many of us will also deal with another spring weather phenomenon -- hail and lots of it.

Keep your vehicle in a garage or under a carport / awning during a hailstorm. If covered parking isn't
available, you may want to consider a hail blanket or specialized car cover. Make sure all coverings
are secure, as the wind associated with hailstorms can blow loose covers away.

High winds are also perilous to cars. From falling tree limbs to tornado debris, wind damage can be
extensive. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind during high winds:

• Never try to outrun a tornado. You would need to drive more than 70 miles per hour to outrun the fastest tornado.
• While an overpass may seem like a great spot to wait out a hailstorm, it may put you and your car in greater danger, since hailstorms often are part of larger severe weather systems that may include tornadoes. Stopping under an overpass can result in even more damage to your car and occupants, if high winds, as well as the debris picked up by those winds, move through the underpass.

Warmer weather also brings an increased risk for damage from flash flooding brought about by spring's strong storm season, as well as windshield and body damage caused by gravel pieces from
newly-formed potholes on roads across the country. Nearly 500,000 insurance claims each year
are directly related to damage from potholes.

Keep an eye out for "covered" potholes. Potholes can fill with water following a storm or as roadside
snow melts, which makes them harder to notice and their depth difficult to judge. A good rule of thumb is to safely avoid mysterious puddles.

Know where your route will take you at all times and understand if you're driving (or even parking)
near drainage channels, underpasses or similar areas. These are areas where flash flooding can occur at any time, regardless of whether typical warning signs like rain clouds or heavy rain are
present.

And lastly, don't panic if you're caught in a flood. If you're inside your vehicle, you should consider
staying where you are and waiting for rescue if safety permits.
(Source: https://www.farmers.com/news/seasonal-smarts/)