A car cover is an excellent investment to safeguard your car from external damage due to wind, water, snow, or the sun’s UV rays. It can protect the paint and preserve its appearance, thus fetching you a good resale value if you decide to sell your vehicle. However, when buying car covers, choosing the right size is crucial. Here are a few tips to ensure you pick the right fit for your ride.

Types of car covers based on their fit
Car covers usually come in three size categories: universal, ready fit, and custom fit. Let’s get into the details of each and help you choose:

Universal fit
Universal covers are designed to fit any car, irrespective of size or shape. When manufacturing them, companies use an approximate measurement. They are usually mass-produced and hence easily accessible and cheaper than the other categories of car covers. But while these covers are economical, they are loose around the panels. As a result, dust can easily collect under them and destroy the paint job. Moreover, the entire sheet can be blown off on a windy day.

Ready fit
These covers are designed to fit specific car shapes; for example, a hatchback, sedan, pickup truck, or van. As a result, they wrap around the panels better than universal fit covers. However, some reviewers say the fitting can be loose in some places, allowing dust and external factors to damage the car over time.

Custom fit
Custom fit covers are the best safeguard for your vehicle because, as the name suggests, they are tailored to fit your vehicle’s model. Before manufacturing them, the company measures your vehicle’s dimensions and makes a note of the mirrors, antennas, spoilers, splitters, and other accessories installed. Consequently, the cover fits close to the panels, reducing the risk of dust entering through the wind.

When compared, custom covers are the most expensive of the three. They are usually delivered a few days or weeks after placing the order as they are manufactured considering your car’s exact measurements. The ready fit type is reasonable and usually available in stock with car dealers. Finally, universal fit car covers are the most affordable and are readily available at any nearby store. If you park your vehicle in a garage, you may not need to spend too much on a cover, as a universal fit may work just fine.

Products to consider
Can’t decide which brand or product to choose? Here are a few options to get you started:

Platinum Shield by CarCovers.com costs around $195 and is suitable for cars parked outdoors. The covers are model specific and made of high-quality UV-resistant material.

Supreme by Seal Skin Covers costs $170. It is 100 percent breathable and waterproof, thanks to SEAL-TEC fabric technology.

RSC-3 by Budge, suitable for vehicles parked indoors, costs $155. It has a soft inner liner, a soft stretch outer layer, and a full elastic hem.

When shopping for car covers, keep an eye out for deals in nearby stores and sales on online websites.