Lots of people would go great lengths to protect what they own or at least to avoid some nasty expenses, especially in this day and age. That’s why plenty of people online found a man from Florida too relatable. In a desperate moment that feels equal parts heroic and hilarious, the Florida man has gone viral after using his own body as a shield to protect his car during a punishing hailstorm.
The Florida man, identified as Manny Rosado, a resident of Palm Bay, captured widespread attention on TikTok after a video showed him sprawled across the roof of his vehicle while ice pelted down around him. His goal: to supposedly keep a protective tent in place over his car’s sunroof and avoid costly damage.
The now-viral clip shows Rosado struggling to maintain his grip as hailstones bounce off his back and the car’s surface. At one point, his legs flail in the air as he’s pinned against the vehicle by both the force of the storm and his own determination. Viewers online quickly flooded the comments, dubbing him everything from “dedicated” to “absolutely insane.”
While the scene may look comedic, Rosado later confirmed the experience was anything but painless. “Yes, it hurt,” he admitted in a follow-up post, explaining that he was stuck on top of the car while being hit by chunks of ice.
Still, for Rosado, the risk was worth it. He said previous hailstorms in the area had caused thousands of dollars in damage to vehicles, with some repair bills reaching as high as $5,000. “I’d rather go down trying,” he mentioned in his comments on TikTok, explaining that he wanted to avoid another expensive insurance claim.
People Online Want Him for an Insurance Ad
Rosado’s attempt to protect his car has drawn much praise and admiration online; a Facebook commenter even joked, “Someone call the all state guy we have a new commercial.” Meanwhile, another got inspired by Rosado’s struggle and came up with a pun, “Bet it hurts like hail . To protect the vehicle….”
Meanwhile, others were somehow reminded of just how dire the insurance situation is in the US, so they had to do a reluctant math to decide which is more damaging to their pockets: “Gotta decide which insurance is better: health insurance or car insurance,” says a commenter.
The incident comes amid severe weather across parts of Florida, where heavy rain and hail have been reported in recent days. Weather officials consistently warn residents to stay indoors during such conditions, noting that hailstones can cause serious injuries. Despite the warnings, Rosado’s unconventional approach has struck a chord online, proving that when it comes to protecting something valuable, some people are willing to take the hit… literally.
