Top 10 states for auto hail damage claims

Spring is upon us, and Farmers Insurance is warning drivers about the season's top auto hazards.

The latest Farmers Insurance Seasonal Smarts Digest uses the previous five years' worth of actual claims data from roads around the country to highlight some of spring's common dangers.

Listed above are the top 10 states for hail damage auto claims.

Related: Hail damage: Are you covered?

3 major spring auto risks

Farmers' claims data from 2013-2017, identified three major trouble spots for drivers nationally over the last four years between March and May:

• Hail: 58% of all comprehensive claims due to hail occur in the spring
• Water and flooding: 38% of all comprehensive claims due to water and flooding occur in spring
• And lastly, 32% of collision claims due to a car door opening into traffic occur in spring (Crazy, right? – a completely out there, yet strangely interesting statistic)

Protection and prevention tips

Making up 58% of comprehensive auto claims in the last five years, hail is nothing to mess with. Drivers across the country can prepare for upcoming spring hailstorms by considering the following tips:

• Consider where you park: If you don't live or work in an area with a coverage garage or over-hang, consider parking near large buildings or under secure structures that provide some shelter in the event of any hail.
• Call a cab: If severe weather is in the forecast, consider taking public transportation, a rideshare, or a taxi service to get to your destination.
• Try paintless repair: Sometimes you just can't prepare for everything. In case you catch yourself (or just your vehicle) in a hailstorm, paintless dent repair may be the way to go.

The warming temperatures of the spring months also bring about an increased risk for damage from flash flooding that may be brought on by spring's strong storm season. Here's how drivers can reduce dangers and the risk of a flood damage claim this spring:

• Watch out for water features: Water can accumulate quickly, whether it be the result of snowmelt or a heavy rainstorm, creating a number of serious risks for drivers. If you're heading downhill, pay attention to any standing water ahead as it may be deeper than it appears, Farmers warns.
• Take a detour: Be cautious of the roads you choose to take. If you know an area may be susceptible to flash flooding, or you find yourself near a drainage channel or underpass where flash flooding is likely to occur, take another route.
• Watch out for potholes! Potholes seem to always come out of nowhere, don't they? And their depth can easily be concealed by water post-storm. Look out for potholes, and watch your speed so you can avoid these dangerous and sometimes costly craters in time.

Related: Auto Losses Ahead? The 10 States with the Worst Roads in the U.S.