Had a similar experience a few years back on a road trip through Colorado. Got caught in a nasty hailstorm near Denver—golf ball-sized chunks, windshield cracked, hood dented all over. Thought I was good with comprehensive, but turns out my deductible was crazy high. Lesson learned: always double-check the fine print and deductible amounts before hitting the road, especially if you're traveling through hail-prone areas...
That's rough—I've had a couple close calls myself commuting daily through areas prone to hail. After hearing stories like yours, I ended up lowering my deductible a bit. Sure, it bumped my premium slightly, but I'd rather budget for that than get blindsided by a massive repair bill. Also started keeping an eye on weather apps before longer drives...not foolproof, but at least gives me some peace of mind.
"Also started keeping an eye on weather apps before longer drives...not foolproof, but at least gives me some peace of mind."
Yeah, same here—those apps have saved me from a few headaches. Another thing I started doing is scouting out covered parking spots along my usual routes. Grocery stores, gas stations, even mall garages can be lifesavers if things suddenly turn nasty. Sure, it adds a bit of extra planning, but beats getting caught in a hailstorm and dealing with insurance hassles afterward.
Definitely learned my lesson the hard way last summer... got caught in a surprise hailstorm on a road trip. Pulled into the first gas station I saw, but their awning was already packed. Ended up squeezing partly under a tree nearby—not ideal, but better than nothing. Now I'm always mentally noting good shelter spots along my usual routes, just in case.
"Now I'm always mentally noting good shelter spots along my usual routes, just in case."
Smart move, but honestly, relying on luck or quick thinking isn't enough. Had a client once who parked under a tree during hail—branches came down and caused even more damage. Better double-check your policy coverage... learned that one myself the hard way.
