Hurricane season is upon us and for those living on the East Coast now is the time to take precautions to ensure that you and all your belongings will make it through the storms. Hurricane shutters, canned food and extra water are all necessities for surviving a storm but it is also a good idea to try and protect your car. According to US News, 250,000 cars were flood-damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Here are 5 tips to help preserve your car during a hurricane.
- Move your car further inland: Hurricanes usually bring large amounts of rainfall and rising tides resulting in flooding. If possible, move your car further inland, away from the coast and to higher ground to avoid water damage to your car.
- Cover your car: The high-speed winds of a hurricane can pick up debris, like roofs, trees, and other scraps of material and drop it on your car. Put your car in the garage if you can, if not make sure your car is not under any power lines, trees or anything else that could fall on it.
- Protect your windows: Taping your car windows with masking tape can help them from shattering. The most common way to do this is by taping an “X” on the window.
- Fuel up: Keep a full tank of gas in your car or keep full gas cans in your garage. When the storm is over and it is safe to drive, you will be able to get on the road without waiting at the pump for gas.
- Take photos: Before the storm hits, take photos of your car from all angles. Do the same after the storm. If there are any new damages to your car you can show your insurance company the before and after pictures as proof of damage.
Protecting your car from the storm will save you from having to pay for more repairs afterwards. Not loving your car with or without hurricane damage? Switch it up at Swapalease.com. By allowing customers to trade leases with other lessees mid-contract, they can get a new car whenever they want without the burden of buying. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Swapalease.com is the world’s largest automotive lease marketplace and the pioneer in facilitating lease transfers online. For more information about Swapalease.com or how to exit your lease early, call 866-SWAPNOW or visit www.swapalease.com