5 Ways to Protect Your Car if You Don't Have a Garage

Maybe you live in a home that doesn’t have a garage, or your garage is packed full of sports gear, lawn equipment and other things that don’t have a place anywhere else. If you’re figuring out how to protect a car that sits outside, these five tips can help.

1. Choose a Good Place to Park

You might have a driveway or an assigned parking space you need to park in. If you have options, try not to park under trees. When you do, things like leaves, twigs, pollen, sap and bird droppings can make a mess of your car in minutes. Your parked vehicle could also be susceptible to damage from severe weather if a tree branch or limb falls on your car during a storm.

You also don’t want to park in low-lying areas where mud or water can accumulate. Not only will it be messy for you to get in and out of your car, but a heavy rainstorm or snow melt could make water levels deep enough to cause flood damage.

2. Block Ultraviolet Rays With Sunshades

When you’re looking for how to protect a car from the sun in open parking, sunshades are a great option. Car sunshades protect the interior from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Those rays damage plastic and leather and can cause fading and cracking on your dashboard and seats, which can reduce your car’s resale value. 

Plus, sunshades can reduce the buildup of heat in your car, so you’ll be more comfortable when you get in on a warm, sunny day.

3. Cover Your Car

Ideally, you’ll want to protect your car from dirt, debris and the weather with a cover. A cover also keeps the sun off your car and can help protect it from scratches and dings if you park on a street or in a windy area. 

You can find inexpensive covers for around $25, though you’ll pay more for ones designed by your car’s manufacturer to fit exactly or for sturdier versions that help prevent hail damage.

If you’re thinking about how to protect your car without a garage, you own your home and have the space, you could consider building a carport. A carport can help protect your car from sun, snow, rain and most debris. They start at around $300 before installation.

A carport also gives you a little bit of protection when you’re getting in or out of your car in bad weather. It’s especially nice if you’re unloading groceries or getting a child into or out of a car seat. Plus, you’ll likely only put a cover on when you won’t be using your car for a while — a carport is there for you all the time.

4. Keep Your Car Clean

Even if you do your best, a car parked outside is going to get dirtier than one parked inside a garage. Wash it yourself or take it to a car wash regularly. Dirt and grime can wear out the paint, and in the winter, salt can build up and may cause corrosion.

A clean car is safer, too. You’ll see better with clean windows and mirrors, so you’ll be less likely to get in an accident. And that layer of dirt adds drag — you get better gas mileage when your car is clean.

5. Protect Your Car From Theft

A car that’s out in the open could be a target for car thieves. If you can, park your car someplace where it’s not visible from the road. Don’t leave valuables inside, and always close the windows and lock the doors. Sometimes thieves target unlocked cars just to take loose change and chargers. 

Get the Protection You Need for Your Car

No matter where you park, your car is one of your biggest investments, and you’ll want to protect it. A Farm Bureau insurance agent can review your auto insurance policy and make sure you have the coverage you need at a price you can afford.