Hail and car interiors at a glance

Season
Front Range hail is most common from late spring through summer, often in fast afternoon storms.
Typical entry points
Sunroof glass and drains, rear window, taillight housings, door and roof-rail seals, antenna bases
Where water collects
Under carpet padding, in the spare tire well, beneath rear seat cushions
First sign
Fogged windows on dry days, then a musty smell that gets stronger in heat
Coverage to ask about
Comprehensive coverage usually handles hail; ask whether resulting interior water damage is included

Why a hail car can smell weeks later

Aurora sits on the open plains east of Denver, and summer storms that build over the foothills often roll across the city with hail. Cars parked in open apartment lots, along the street or in big retail parking fields take the full hit. Most owners photograph the dents, file a claim and wait for a body shop slot, which can take weeks after a large storm. Meanwhile, a small crack in a seal or a broken lens lets rain in during every afternoon shower.

Carpet in most vehicles sits on a thick jute or foam pad, and that pad can hold a surprising amount of water while the carpet surface feels only slightly damp. In the closed, sun-warmed cabin of a parked car, that is enough moisture for mildew to grow. By the time the musty smell is obvious, the pad is often stained and the underside of the carpet may have visible growth.

What to do depending on what you find

Press firmly on the carpet in each footwell and the cargo area with a dry paper towel, and lift the spare tire cover.

  • IfThe paper towel comes up dry and the smell is faintThenCheck the cabin air filter and the sunroof drains first. The odor may be coming from a wet filter or debris in the cowl rather than the carpet.
  • IfOne footwell is damp but there is no standing waterThenFind the leak before drying anything. Run a garden hose gently over one seal or panel at a time while a helper watches inside.
  • IfThere is water in the spare tire wellThenSuspect taillight gaskets, the rear hatch seal or a cracked rear window. Bail and dry the well, and photograph it for your claim.
  • IfThe pad is soaked or you see dark spots under the carpetThenTell your insurer and the body shop before repairs begin. Saturated padding usually needs to come out, and mildew should be handled with gloves and a mask.

Drying a wet interior properly

  1. Stop the water

    Tape over a broken lens or cracked glass temporarily and park in a garage or under cover until the repair is done.

  2. Get under the carpet

    Lift the carpet edge at the sill plates where you can. Surface drying with towels leaves the pad wet underneath.

  3. Move air and remove moisture

    Fans aimed into the open car plus a small dehumidifier in an enclosed garage dry a pad far better than leaving windows cracked in the driveway.

  4. Confirm it is dry

    An inexpensive moisture meter or simply comparing the feel of the pad over several days tells you whether drying is finished.

  5. Then deal with the odor

    Clean the dried carpet and pad, replace the cabin air filter and treat the ventilation system if the musty smell persists.

General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.