As anyone whose vehicle has been damaged in a hail storm knows, auto hail damage can range from a few dents to a totaled car. At times, your insurance company may estimate the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds its worth, depending on your car’s value and the extent of the damage. However, you won’t know until you visit a reputable dent repair shop that specializes in hail damage.
Here are four steps to follow if a hail storm damages your vehicle.
1. Have Your Hail Damaged Vehicle Professionally Evaluated
First and foremost, take pictures of the dents and damage the hail has caused. Then bring your damaged vehicle to a professional shop that specializes in hail damage repairs for an evaluation. They will be able to provide you with the most reliable and up-to-date information about the most suitable repair options and expected repair costs. If you are advised to obtain vehicle hail repair, ask what methods are most appropriate based on the damage. The severity of the damage impacts whether or not your car can be repaired using modern, efficient, cost-effective paintless dent repair methods.
2. Speak with Your Insurance Company About Filing a Car Hail Damage Claim
Secondly, contact your auto insurance company to learn what you need to do to file a car hail damage claim. The pictures you initially took of the damage will be important when filing this claim, as they prove the damage. You can also provide the information and advice you received from the professional hail damage repair technician. Be sure to check with the dent repair shop you will be hiring to fix your vehicle, as they can help you with the claim process as well. A claims adjuster will make their own estimate of your vehicle, whether it’s worth the cost of repairs and what compensation the insurance company owes you.
3. Request an Estimate From a Reputable Dent Repair Shop
After you’ve received your claim number, the next step is to visit a professional and reputable dent repair shop for an estimate fix your vehicle’s hail damage. Unlike claims adjusters, the specialized shops can more accurately estimate the cost of repairs and how much compensation you’re due. Make sure your insurance company and the dent repair shop are on the same page about damage costs and the estimate provided. It’s advisable to work with a dent repair shop that is willing to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, as well as wait until approval from your insurance company before seeking repairs.
4. Get Your Vehicle Professionally Fixed
Once your claim and the estimate are approved, you can then have your vehicle repaired. 80% to 90% of dents, including ones caused by hail stones, can be repaired using paintless dent repair (PDR) techniques, according to experts. Paintless dent repair is a newer method of dent repair that involves massaging out the dents for a fraction of the time and cost of conventional repairs. PDR allows for your car’s original paint to be preserved, and it is the more cost-effective and timely repair process for your vehicle to undergo. Be sure to choose a dent repair shop that is professionally trained in this repair technique.
When your vehicle suffers hail damage, it can be frustrating, to say the least. However, by hiring a reputable dent repair shop that specializes in paintless dent removal, your vehicle can look as good as new in a day or less. To obtain high-quality hail damage repair for your vehicle, contact us at Dent Shop today.