An impact protection device and a method for protecting an object, such as a vehicle, using the impact protection device. The impact protection device is particularly useful for protecting a vehicle from damage due to hail storms. The impact protection device includes a layer of high tensile strength polymer and a metallic layer disposed adjacent to the high tensile strength polymer layer. The impact protection device is advantageously thin and lightweight and can be easily stored in the trunk of a vehicle for rapid deployment during a hail storm.