Winter Car Covers
Winter is coming, which means your vehicle needs protection from the elements. Here are the best winter car covers for every vehicle and budget.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Table of Contents
- Best for sedans
- Best for SUVs
- Best for trucks
- Most expensive
- Indoor covers
- Best overall
- How to decide
- Winter car insurance
- FAQs
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Winter is coming, which means your vehicle needs protection from the elements! The best car covers for winter are durable, breathable, tailored to your make/model, and include fastening elements to tightly grip your vehicle in the whipping winter winds.
Is it really worth the investment? We think so! You can spend anywhere between $30 and $300 for a winter car cover and it provides a myriad of benefits. Car covers are useful even if your vehicle will be parked indoors during the winter!
Being a responsible car owner means taking care of your vehicle while also finding ways to minimize maintenance costs. A good winter car cover can do that—and so can
Jerry
, by helping you find cheap car insurance
. Before the snow falls, let’s find the right winter car cover for you.
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Best for sedans
If you drive a four-door family sedan, odds are high that you want to prolong the life of your vehicle. Your sedan is like a workhorse: it safely shuttles you to social engagements and on errands no matter the weather.
When snow, hail, and high winds come threatening, protect your sedan with one of these top-rated winter car covers.
Remember to measure your vehicle carefully and select a product that is specific to your intended use (indoor vs. outdoor storage) and anticipated local weather patterns.
Coverking Triguard Car Cover
The
Coverking Triguard Car Cover
is a lightweight option if your sedan only needs protection from minimally threatening weather conditions. Coverking recommends this cover for long-term storage and not for daily protection. With three layers of fabric and custom fits available, the Triguard cover is breathable and costs between $200 and $250.
- Fair water resistance
- Defends against UV rays
- Excellent breathability
- Soft materials are gentle on paint
The only major drawback of this type of cover is that it only lasts a year. They also recommend using grommets in addition to the elasticized bottom, and they do not recommend using this cover if wind conditions are stronger than 30 mph.
MORNYRAY All-Weather Universal Fit
This is a
snowproof car cover
that offers a looser universal fit. The high-quality material means better protection for your sedan, and it includes fixed buckles to help secure the material against wind and weather.- Fits sedans 186 - 193"
- SUV protective and water-resistant
- Elasticized hem and buckles to fasten securely
- Reflective stripes for safety
A major drawback is that you have to remove your antenna to use this car cover. Plus, the universal fit means a higher risk of debris getting beneath the cover. However, the $40 price tag is highly appealing.
Key Takeaway Sedans come in a wide range of sizes—so be sure to measure yours before purchasing a winter car cover.
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Best for SUVs
If you drive an SUV, you are probably grateful for your vehicle’s steady handling and sturdy build. In return for keeping you safe, here’s how you can protect your SUV from inclement weather with a winter car cover.
Budge Protector V SUV Cover
Budge is very popular among online shoppers. Their
SUV winter car cover
is composed of five durable layers and is supposedly 100% waterproof. Fleece lining will baby your SUV’s paint over the long winter so it’s fresh and clean when the sun comes out. - Strap-and-buckle system along with elastic hem and bungee cords
- Multiple layers to defend against UV damage, dust, dirt, rain, and snow
- Four sizes to fit a variety of SUVs up to 210"
At just under $130, this is a good option for protecting your SUV in outdoor conditions. Don’t try to put on this winter car cover without help!
Kayme Four-Layers Car Cover with Cotton Zipper
Available in stores and online, the
Kayme four-layer car cover
is among the most affordable in this section at just under $50. - Front and rear straps to fasten cover against wind
- Reflective aluminum shell and safety stripes
- Zippered access to the driver-side door
- Soft inner lining
It’s waterproof, has a soft inner lining, and there are several sizing options to ensure a good fit. The biggest drawback is that four layers do not offer as much protection against falling debris or hailstones.
Best for trucks
Trucks are the perfect companion for rugged adventures and hauling cargo. You probably won’t be putting your vehicle to sleep over the winter, but it’s still worth considering a boost to your truck’s defense with these truck-specific winter car covers.
Budge Protector V Truck Cover
This is the second appearance of the
Budge brand
in this article. That’s because Budge creates body-specific covers to provide maximum protection. The body shape of a truck needs a very specific cover shape, so it’s wise to get a cover intended for a truck rather than a general universal fit.
- Soft inner lining to avoid scratching your truck’s paint
- Five thick layers to keep out moisture and debris
- Waterproof, treated to protect against UV rays
- Truck-specific cover with a guaranteed fit
It’ll cost you $240 to get a winter car cover this large, and there is a major drawback to this brand. The cover doesn’t account for the truck bed so it’s easy for moisture (or even puddles and leaves) to accumulate.
KAKIT Truck Cover
Made with marine-grade fabric,
this cover
can withstand high water pressure and boasts waterproof seams. It’s also tear-resistant and windproof. KAKIT has a universal fit for trucks, so be sure to measure yours to make sure it fits within the size range specified.- Driver-size door zipper for easy access to the cab
- Elasticized bottom hem and windproof straps
- Two-year warranty
- Design accounts for sloping over the truck bed to minimize water accumulation
For under $80, this is a steal. This brand is occasionally out-of-stock, so snap it up if you can find it.
Key Takeaway Not every cover manufacturer takes into account the length of the truck bed when advertising winter car covers. Always compare the specs of the online product to your car’s measurements.
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Most luxurious and durable (and costly)
If you want to dish out some serious cash for the highest level of protection, we’ve got you covered (get it?).
Hail Protector
This is an
inflatable car cover
that envelops your vehicle to defend it from hail—even enormous hailstones. The cheapest model is $430 and is fairly easy to install. Your purchase even comes with a one-year subscription to their early warning hail alert so you can inflate the cover in plenty of time.Altindal Car Cover and Hail Protector
With a 6mm thickness, the
Altindal car cover
is bacteria-proof and made from recyclable materials. It’s a universal fit cover that is made to throw over your vehicle for quick protection from hail. It’s a $360 investment, and you shouldn’t leave it in the sun since this can damage the cover.
Indoor-only winter car covers
If your car is lucky enough to have a cozy spot inside to hunker down over the winter, then check out these indoor-only winter car covers.
Classic Accessories OverDrive PolyPro
This cover
is intended for full-size sedans that will be parked indoors. At just around $40, this product is soft and elasticized to provide gentle protection from debris and dust. It’s easy to tie down and untie.CarCapsule CC16F
It’s another
inflatable car cover
! This one is suitable for indoor use only but it keeps moisture controlled and rodents out. It’s a whopping $500 and looks a bit like set dressing from a James Bond film. However, you can’t argue with reinforced fabric PVC, an activated charcoal filter, and a cover that is impervious to oil, gas, and antifreeze.
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Best overall winter car covers
It’s a good idea to find a cover that’s made specifically for your make and model. Here are a few of the best overall winter car cover manufacturers.
Platinum Shield Car Cover from CarCovers.com
This company has a huge range of
tailored covers
based on your vehicle’s SKU—so you know it will fit. It’s supposed to protect against rain, snow, and UV rays. The fleece lining comes standard, and the Platinum Shield option is their top-of-the-line offering.Audew Six-Layers Car Cover
There are two separate lines of covers from this company. One is intended for
sedans
and one is for crossovers and SUVs
. These are durable but affordable products that should last several seasons with proper use.OxGord Signature Car Cover
OxGord
offers affordable winter car covers for trucks, sedans, SUVs, and hatchbacks. The covers include reflective lines for visibility and a soft inner lining, but they won’t hold up to more than a year of outdoor storage.RECOMMENDED
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Which winter car cover should you choose?
Ask yourself these questions before shopping:
- What type of vehicle do you have? (Sizing)
- What type of weather will it be exposed to? (Just snow and rain, or do you also want UV protection? Is it really windy where you are––does the cover need elastic straps and fasteners? Is it for indoor use in a cold garage?
- How long will inclement weather last? (One month of occasional rain vs. three months of intense snow and wind)
- What’s your budget? (Average range is between $50 and $300)
Key Takeaway Find a winter car cover that can defend against the weather conditions in your area—and make sure it fits your vehicle snugly.
Car insurance considerations for winter
Winter driving can be scary. You should always service your vehicle seasonally to ensure it’s in top shape for the bad weather. This means switching to winter tires and topping up fluids.
For extra confidence in the wintertime, consider adding
Jerry’s
roadside assistance to your insurance. It’s $6.99 per month and includes winching, fuel delivery, flat tire assistance, and more. Jerry can also help you unlock savings on
car insurance
. You deserve to have more money for hot cocoa and spend less money on bills.FAQs about winter car covers
Are car covers washable?
Usually, yes. It depends on the type of fabric. Most car covers are washable either by hand or in a washing machine. Since different fabrics will vary in their washing requirements and techniques, check the tag or cleaning instruction sheet that came with your cover before washing.
Will a car cover scratch my paint or damage my vehicle?
Hopefully not! Car covers are meant to protect a vehicle’s finish. However, if it’s not the correct fit or if the vehicle isn’t washed beforehand, a cover could scratch the paint.
It’s important to make sure your vehicle’s finish is free of debris before draping a car cover over it. Be sure to measure your vehicle for the best sizing before purchasing a cover.
What should I do before putting my vehicle under a car cover?
Waxing your vehicle before putting it under a car cover will further protect it by adding an extra layer of UV and water-repellent protection as well as removing debris that may scratch the finish.
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