Did you know that hail is responsible for more than $1.07 billion in property damages every year in the United States?
Wow, right?
And cars take the brunt of it when those ice balls decide to fall from the sky.
The thing is…
Most car owners have no idea how to approach this type of damage. It makes them panic. They file insurance claims wrong, or worse — they do nothing about it, believing that all of the damage is just cosmetic.
But wait…
Hail damage is serious. It can decrease the value of your car, cause rust problems, and threaten your vehicle’s structural integrity if it’s not properly repaired.
Don’t worry…
In this article, you are going to find out how to properly approach this repair:
- Here are the hail damage repair types
- What your insurance actually covers
- Repair methods that do a good job and don’t leave you fuming
- When To File A Claim (And When Not To)
Understanding Hail Damage Types
Not all hail damage is the same.
There are storms that produce little dings that you can barely see and then there are those that smash your car windshields and dent your roof so badly that your car resembles a golf ball.
If severe weather hits your area, seeking professional hail damage repair services should be at the top of your to-do list. These professionals can assess the extent of the damage including those that might not be immediately visible.
There are four categories of hail damage:
Cosmetic damage with intact paint is hail damage you would like to have. It’s small dents that haven’t scratched through the layer of paint and are usually repaired with paintless dent removal techniques.
Cosmetic damage with scratched paint is the next level of damage. In this case, the dents are deep, and they expose bare metal. More extensive repair work is needed to prevent rust from forming.
Severe damage with intact paint is the hail damage that means the mechanical systems of your car were not spared. The hood got dented, which now affects the latch mechanism. Or your trunk lid is dented so much that it doesn’t work.
Severe damage with scratched paint is the final damage stage, and it’s a nightmare. To fix it, you will need to replace the panels and repair the mechanics of the car. It will be an expensive and time-consuming project.
Insurance Coverage Essentials
This is the part that trips up almost everybody.
Your liability car insurance does not cover hail damage. You need to have comprehensive coverage for that. But here’s the catch that few people know about…
Even if you have comprehensive coverage, you will still have to pay a deductible.
The average hail damage claim ranges from $4,000 to $5,000, so, if you have a $1,000 deductible and the damage is $800, you are going to pay it out of your pocket.
Are you with me so far?
Is it worth it to file a claim when the repair cost is a couple hundred dollars over your deductible? Probably not. It can affect your premiums, and you want to save them for when you really need it.
But if you have to spend thousands on the repairs, do the claim. Document everything with photos, and get at least three repair estimates from certified repair shops.
Repair Methods That Actually Work
When it comes to repairing hail damage, you have two options.
Paintless dent removal (PDR) is the first option and is the gold standard in hail damage repair. Trained technicians massage the dents out from the back of the damaged panels using special tools, and there is no repainting required.
Paintless dent removal (PDR) works great when:
- Paint is not cracked or chipped
- Dents are easily accessible from the back of the panel
- Metal has not been stretched too far
- Hail damage was reported as soon as possible
Traditional body work involves sanding, filling, and repainting of the damaged area. It’s more expensive, and it takes a lot of time. But sometimes it’s needed, especially when the paint is compromised.
The best part about paintless dent removal is that it’s quicker and less expensive. And one more thing: It’s a perfect way to maintain the factory finish of your vehicle. This is important when you want to sell your car or trade it in.
When To File A Claim (And When Not To)
This is a tricky part…
Filing a claim with your insurance company isn’t always the right thing to do. Just because you have the coverage does not mean you have to use it.
Here’s a good rule of thumb…
If the repair cost is less than 1.5 x your deductible, don’t bother filing a claim. Pay for the repairs yourself and move on. It’s better for your insurance history.
But if you have major damage? File right away. Don’t wait weeks or months to make a decision. Insurance companies can get picky about delayed claims.
One more important thing: if your vehicle is on loan, you HAVE TO repair hail damage. The lender requires it, and the settlement check will be made out to you and your lienholder.
The Hidden Costs Of Ignoring Hail Damage
Here’s something you don’t know about…
If you ignore hail damage, you are likely to lose much more money in the long run. Those little dents don’t seem to do much harm because they’re only cosmetic, right?
Wrong.
Water can get into those small cracks and crevices in your paint. Over time, rust develops on the metal underneath, and by the time you notice the rust bubbling through the paint, the damage has spread far beyond the original hail dent.
And if it’s not rust, it’s the resale value that you’re going to lose. Potential buyers are going to offer much less money because they see the damage.
And here’s the worst part of ignoring hail damage…
Some hail damage can hurt your vehicle’s structural integrity. Dents on the roof can weaken the support beams of your car. Damaged door pillars can reduce safety in a rollover accident.
Choosing The Right Repair Shop
If you think all repair shops are the same when it comes to hail damage, you are sadly mistaken.
You want to find certified technicians who specialize in hail damage repair services. Ask them about their PDR experience in particular. How many hail-damaged cars did they restore?
Check their reviews, and ask to see their work samples. A good shop will have before and after pictures of similar hail damage repair jobs. Good shops also offer warranties for the work they do.
This is what separates the great shops from the not-so-great ones:
- They do detailed damage assessments before starting work
- They communicate clearly with you about repair time and costs
- They work directly with your insurance company to facilitate the claims process
Don’t always pick the cheapest shop. Quality work will maintain the value of your vehicle and protect your investment.
Prevention is better than cure
You can’t control the weather, but you can control some of the risks involved with hail damage.
Park your car in covered areas whenever you can. If hail is in the forecast, move your car to the garage or at least park it under a carport. A sturdy car cover can minimize the damage caused by smaller hail.
If you live in a hail-prone state such as Texas or Colorado, consider lowering your comprehensive deductible. The slightly higher premium will be worth it when hail season comes around.
Wrapping up
Hail damage repair should never be delayed or ignored. The dings and dents caused by hailstorms are not as innocent as they may seem.
Keep these points in mind:
- Get a professional assessment of the damage as soon as the hailstorm is over
- Know your insurance policy before you need it
- Opt for paintless dent removal when possible
- File a claim only if the repair costs are significantly higher than your deductible
- Don’t delay with the repairs because it’s only cosmetic damage
The actions you take immediately after the hail attack can either save you or cost you thousands of dollars. So, don’t wait. Take action quickly, and hire only qualified and certified repair specialists.