What's the Best Car Cover for You? Top Car Covers by Location

With all that you have invested in your vehicle, both financially and emotionally, you want to keep it looking and performing at its best. And one of the most effective ways to do that is to protect your vehicle, be it a car, truck, SUV, station wagon, or van, with a semi custom car cover. The best automotive car cover for you may not be the best one for another driver, however. Because the weather conditions in Boise, Idaho differ greatly from the weather conditions in Charleston, South Carolina, the ideal car cover for your vehicle will depend highly on where in the country you live. Here are some of the top automotive car covers by location:

Southern states: If you live in a warm, sunny state, such as California, New Mexico, Texas, or Florida, your biggest concern when it comes to shopping for a semi custom car cover will be protection from the sun. Look for a truck cover, SUV cover, or car cover that offers a high degree of solar efficiency, so your vehicle will stay clean and cool. One of the best car covers for sun protection is the Premier car cover. Available for cars, trucks, and SUVs, the Premier car cover blocks 99.8 percent of the sun's rays. It is extremely popular in states where the sun is the hottest.

Northern states: If you reside in a state that gets a lot of cold, snowy weather, your primary goal will be to find a cover for your car, truck, station wagon, van, or SUV that offers protection from the most extreme conditions. The best automotive car covers for cold weather are those that provide superior thickness and strong all-weather protection. For example, the Thick Budge Lifetime car cover protects vehicles with three layers of Endura Plus fabric, and it has high water resistance and UV treatment.

Rainy states: For drivers who call a rainy state like Washington or Oregon home, a semi custom car cover that provides strong protection against moisture is imperative. Look for a 100 percent waterproof car cover that also provides sufficient ventilation to protect against mold and mildew. The best waterproof car covers have micro-pore technology to allow condensation to escape as evaporated gas, giving your vehicle total inside and out moisture protection.

Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Western States: If you live in a mid-Atlantic state, you have to deal with hot sun and cold snow. So naturally, the top automotive car covers for Mid-Atlantic states offer strong protection against all the elements, from sun to snow to rain to dust. Good car covers for varied weather patterns include those made from materials that are both strong and light. They should include UV treated materials to offer adequate sun protection, as well as waterproof and breathable fabrics to provide a strong waterproof shield without leading to mold or mildew build-up.

No matter where in the country you live or whether you park your vehicle outdoors or indoors, a good quality car cover will extend the life of your car, truck, SUV, station wagon, or van, and in the long run, save you money. Beyond weather, there are other factors an automotive car cover will shield your vehicle against, including tree sap, leaves, and pollen; bird droppings; and abrasive dust and dirt. Plus, car covers, truck covers, SUV covers, and van covers all provide strong theft deterrence.

Find an automotive car cover that offers the best protection for the lowest price, and look out for the car cover extras that will make your life easier, such as a warranty, storage pouches, tie-down grommets, an elastic hem, and an antenna patch.