Best Hail Covers for Vehicles in Australia, here is What You Really Need to Know

September is the start of ‘hailstorm season" in Australia so let’s look at the best hail covers for vehicles in Australia, here is what you really need to know. Hail damage on a car is no joke, 

The market is flooded with hail covers promising the moon and stars, but most leave you wondering if you really will have the hail protection you need. We’re here to cut through the noise and give you the practical, no-nonsense checklist for choosing the best hail cover for your vehicle in Australia.

Best Car Hail Covers for Vehicles- Up Front

Go back 18 years and there were no hail covers designed for Australian conditions. Autotecnica then introduced its Standard Hail Cover and the Premium Hail Cover. The Premium hail cover quickly became the best-selling car cover of any type in the country. In 2019, the Ultimate Hail Cover was added to the range of hail protection covers.

Most of the large auto stores stocked the Autotecnica range of hail covers simply because they were the best and the best-selling car covers in the country. They were developed over years, specifically for Australian conditions and proved themselves, many times over, as the most effective, low-cost method of protecting a vehicle from tennis-ball size hail.

American companies like Australia Car Covers entered the Australian market and sold covers advertised as ‘hail resistant’, but it was obvious these slightly thicker car covers would only protect against the smallest hail.

Hail Proof Car Covers – Cheap Imitations

The next step was for some of the larger big auto stores to copy the Autotecnica hail cover and sell as their own brand. These proved popular as they were less expensive than the Autotecnica Hail Covers. They look almost identical, a good copy, but the material is of a much poorer quality, and they will never last as long as the original Autotecnica hail covers. Basically, these large companies went to the same manufacturer and asked for a similar cover they could sell at a lower price. They achieved this by compromising on the thickness and quality of the cover.

The people at Autotecnica went back to the company they used in the development of their hail protection range and worked with them to try and make a less expensive product without compromising on quality. They succeed by organising different cuts and reducing manufacturing waste, reducing the manufactured cost. These new prices are now being passed on to the Australian customer base.

Best Value Hail Protection Car Cover at Very Affordable Prices

As of September 1^st, 2025, just in time for the 2025 hailstorm season, you can now buy the original, best quality, Australian-designed Autotecnica Hail Covers at the best prices. Prices will start from a low $130 delivered to your door. There is no need to compromise on quality by going elsewhere for a look-a-like cover. 

What Should You Prioritise When Choosing a Hail Cover?

1. Material Matters  

A decent hail cover isn’t just a tarp thrown over your car. Look for a multi-layered construction with:

• Durable, waterproof, and UV-resistant, thick outer layer: Australian sun can be brutal, and your cover needs to stand up to harsh sunlight as much as to hail.
  
• Padded middle layer protection
• Soft inner lining: This isn’t just for luxury—your paint needs protection from scratches caused by coarse fabric rubbing against it.

If you skip these, don’t be surprised if your “protection” causes more harm than good, especially when strong winds whip things around.

2. Padding Is Your Hail Protection Car Cover Absorber

Padding is the real dealbreaker. You want at least 6mm thick padding on the roof and bonnet—the most vulnerable spots during hailstorms. Nothing less is worth considering here. Thinner padding is just a buffer, not protection.

3. Fit Must Be Snug and Secure

You’ll see promises of “fits all cars” with universal covers, but you know better. If a cover is too loose, it will flap noisily, may cause paint damage and get blown off in wind, and leave sections exposed.

Make sure your hail cover is the closest fit for your vehicle and has elastic hems and tie-down straps to keep the cover anchored.

4. Don’t Forget Breathability

Moisture trapped under the cover can lead to rust and paint damage, defeating the purpose of hail protection altogether. Good covers have anti-condensation air breathers to allow airflow and keep the undercarriage dry.

Australian Conditions Demand Tough Hail Covers

Hail covers designed for overseas use will not cut it here. Australia’s thunderstorms are often paired with high winds and intense UV exposure. According to Car Covers and Shelter, you want a cover specifically designed for our harsh climate.  

Real-World Recommendations: Best Hail Covers for Vehicles in Australia

• Autotecnica Hail Protection Range: This one delivers on the promise with a solid 6mm padding on the bonnet and roof, plus the Ultimate Hail Cover protects the whole car.

They have been the best-selling car covers in Australia for two decades. They have many five-star reviews and many repeat buyers. It’s a smart option if you want reliable, comprehensive coverage and don’t want to gamble with unproven brands. Don’t compromise with inferior newer brands stick to this range: -

1.      Standard Hail Protection Cover – All sizes of sedan and SUV, padded roof only.

2.      Premium Hail Protection Cover – All sizes for sedans, SUV and vans and People Movers. Excellent padded protection for the top of your vehicle and down below the side windows. Recommended for most customers.

3.      Ultimate Protection Hail Protection Cover – All sizes for sedans, SUV’s and Double Cab Utes. Full padded covering all over the vehicle.

Watch Out for These Industry Traps

• Price vs. Quality: Very cheap covers often lack padding or durable materials.
• Storage Convenience: Your cover should come with a storage bag. By their nature, a good hail protection cover is ‘bulky’ and has a lot of padding. This, by nature, can make them more difficult to fold but it is a necessary ‘evil’ for a hail cover that protects.

Your Practical Checklist Before Buying a Hail Protection Car Cover

1.      Multi-layered, padded material with a waterproof and UV-resistant outer layer

2.      Minimum 6mm padding on roof and bonnet

3.      Soft inner lining to prevent paint scratches

4.      Snug universal fit with secure attachments (straps/elastic)

5.      Anti-condensation air breathers for breathability

6.      Designed for Australian climate (UV, hail, high winds)

7.      Storage bag for when not in use

8.      Compare real user reviews and avoid impulse buys based on price alone

Summary, Best Hail Covers for Vehicles in Australia

Hail covers are a smart investment in almost all of Australia. Don’t get suckered by marketing jargon or bargain basement prices. Focus on real protection proven to work —durability, fit, and padding—and you’ll save yourself from expensive hail damage and the headache of constant replacements.

Keep this guide handy the next time you’re shopping around. Your car (and your wallet) will thank you. Contact Car Covers and Shelter now for the best hail protection covers for Australia at the best prices!