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How do I protect my car paint in the winter?

Living in Colorado, the winter season is approaching, and it can be cold and snowy. I want to protect my vehicle’s paint from the cold and prevent potential damage. What are some ways I can protect my car paint in the winter?

avatar
Phoebe Mah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Wintertime can be very harsh—not just for us but for our cars, as well! Protecting your car paint from potential damage can save you from needing costly repairs.
To protect your car paint in the winter, you should wash and wax your car and park in a garage. If you can’t, you should buy a
car cover
. Read on to find out why.
  • Wash your car: Winter typically means there will be
    salt on the road
    to melt away the ice. Salt can corrode paint and worsen rust. If it’s too cold or inconvenient to wash your car at home, stop by your local car wash. Most are open all year.
  • Apply wax: After you wash your car, wax it to create a layer of protection between the paint and the snow, ice, and salt.
  • Park inside: If you have a garage, park your car in it as much as possible. Don’t let your car be a victim of the salt trucks treating icy streets and the snowplows shoveling snowy roads.
  • Use a car cover: If you don’t have a garage, protect your vehicle with a car cover. Look for a car cover specifically designed for use in the winter.
To protect yourself from unpredictable winter weather—and flustered drivers on the road—consider adding
collision
and
comprehensive
coverage to your insurance policy for ultimate peace of mind.
If you’re shopping for car insurance, the
Jerry
app can collect quotes from 50-plus top insurance companies, like Travelers, Nationwide, and Progressive, in seconds! They even help cancel your old policy once you’ve made your pick. The average Jerry user saves $879 a year on car insurance.
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