How to Shop for a Car Cover

Car covers are commonly used across the country to protect a variety of automobiles. Whether you're looking for a car cover to protect your car from the elements, or whether you simply want something to keep your car clean while it's in storage, the right car cover and help to protect the investment you've made in your automobile. This guide can assist you in determining your needs and, ultimately, selecting the best car cover for you and your vehicle.

As you shop for a car cover, consider all of these options:

Indoor or outdoor

This is a particularly crucial decision, as the material and strength of the car cover will depend on whether you intend to use in indoors our outdoors.

Indoor car covers use material that is not as robust because it will not need to stand up to heat, the sun, rain, snow and other materials in the air.

An outdoor car cover, conversely, will be extremely durable and is designed for a battle with Mother Nature. If you live in an extreme climate - such as in the desert Southwest or perhaps in the Great Lakes region where it snows a great deal - you might be interested in an outdoor car cover because it offers you the most protection for your car.

Universal or custom

Again, this is a choice that really comes down to your personal preference. Some car covers are specifically designed for a make or model of a vehicle, while others are crafted for a very generic size of a vehicle in mind. Each has its pros and cons.

A custom car cover, for example, will be crafted just for your vehicle and will fit like a glove. Of course, this means the car cover will cost more than average. It also means that when you sell your car, you won't be able to keep the car cover.

A universal car cover is designed to fit a variety of vehicles. For example, you may be able to find a universal car cover for a compact vehicle, and your vehicle would be on a list of suggested cars that fit. But if you have a specialized vehicle or a rare car, a universal cover might not help you. Or, if your vehicle is oversized like a Hummer, you could have difficulty in finding a universal cover that can accommodate such a grand-scale vehicle.

Your personal needs

Finally, as you search for the best car cover, remember that your personal needs will dictate exactly which direction you should go in. For example: if you intend to use your car cover for security and protection from the elements while you're at work, then you might want a custom fit in a durable outdoor fabric. But if your need is only to protect the car from dust and other particles in your garage that doubles as a workshop, a basic universal cover in lightweight fabric could suffice.