If you're heading out on vacation, there's a possibility that you'll hit some inclement weather along the way. You might even run across a hailstorm or two. If you're not used to driving in hail storms, you may not be prepared with the harm they can cause, especially to your car. Before you leave on vacation, make sure you know what to do should you encounter a hailstorm. Here are four tips that will help you prepare.

Update Your Coverage Before Your Vacation

Now that you're heading out on vacation make sure you take the opportunity to update your insurance coverage, especially if there's a chance that you'll encounter hailstorms along the way. If you don't have it on your policy, be sure to add comprehensive coverage before you leave on vacation. The comprehensive coverage will help take care of the cost of repairs if your car is damaged in a hailstorm. It's also a good idea to lower the deductible for the time that you'll be out of town on vacation. This will ensure that you can avoid getting your car repaired quickly.

Avoid Driving When Hail is in the Forecast

While you're on vacation, it's crucial that you monitor the weather patterns. If a hailstorm is due to roll through the area where you'll be traveling, it's a good idea to stay put for the day. The last thing you want is to knowingly drive into a storm that could potentially total your car. If it looks like things might turn stormy, be sure to turn to a local weather channel on your radio. That way, you can keep current on the local road conditions.

Pull Off the Road at the First Sign of Hail

One of the problems with hailstorms is that they don't always give you any advance warning before they head through an area. Sometimes weather changes happen quickly, creating the perfect environment for a rapid-onset hailstorm. If you're on the road when a hailstorm hits, pull off the road at the first sign of hail. If possible, try to find an off-ramp that offers some type of protection. If that's not possible, find the nearest freeway overpass, and park underneath it until the storm passes. Be sure to pull as far off the road as possible and turn your hazard lights on.

Know What to Do Following Windshield Damage

If you get stuck in a hailstorm that damages your windshield, find the nearest safe place to park, and cover your windshield with plastic. Don't attempt to drive with a badly damaged windshield. Contact your insurance company and arrange to have your windshield replaced as quickly as possible. Most auto insurance companies can arrange to have a windshield repair company come right to your location.