Contrary to common belief, having vehicle hail damage repaired doesn’t have to be a stressful, time-consuming and expensive process. In addition, existing hail damage on your vehicle can reduce its resale value by thousands of dollars. Knowing your next steps after hail damage occurs can simplify the process – here’s a quick guide on what you need to know to handle these situations.
Vehicle Hail Damage Reduces Vehicle Value
Any damage to your vehicle can lower its resale value. Unfortunately, since hail damage impacts a larger surface area of your vehicle, the extent of this type of damage and the high costs to fix it make it a severe issue that drastically reduces vehicle value. Failing to take care of hail damage quickly means that you’re driving around with a reduced vehicle value. Should you get into a car accident, get dinged in the parking lot or experience another form of vehicle damage, this existing reduction in value in addition to the new cost of repairs could cause your insurance company to prematurely total your vehicle. Rather than allowing the cost of repairs to accumulate and exceed your vehicle value, it’s important to have the hail damage repaired swiftly and properly.
Vehicle Hail Repair Uses Modern Techniques
Thankfully, there are modern vehicle hail damage repair techniques that can efficiently restore both the appearance and value of your vehicle. For example, paintless dent repair (PDR) is an effective repair option that can get rid of even the nastiest hail dents so long as there’s not paint damage. Finding a shop that offers this kind of repair technique can help to eliminate most of your problems. However, finding the right shop is key since paintless dent repair requires lots of in-depth training and certifications, and it should not be attempted by someone who does not know what they are doing. You should also avoid taking your vehicle to auto body collision shops for hail repairs, since the traditional repair method does not fully restore vehicle value and appearance. Conventional repairs are invasive and inferior to PDR methods because they require cosmetically filling in dents and invalidate the valuable factory finish paint warranty. Opt for repairs from a company that regularly provides paintless dent repair for hail damage.
Select a Trusted Vehicle Hail Repair Shop
That’s why it’s important to find the right repair shop. The best shop will offer PDR repairs completed by certified, skilled technicians to ensure your hail damage is visibly eliminated and your vehicle is restored to its pre-damaged condition. It may help to review some before and after images, read customer reviews and set up a clear budget before you choose a vehicle hail repair shop to work on your car. Your vehicle is not only your mode of transportation, it’s an important asset that you’ve invested in and need to last. The hail damage repair company you select will recognize that and will work quickly to return your vehicle to you with its value intact.
At Dent Shop, we’re here to help you with your vehicle hail repair needs – from estimates to repairs to assisting you with your hail damage insurance claim. We’re committed to quickly and cost-effectively eliminating your vehicle hail dents with the latest hail dent repair techniques. For top-notch repairs and incredible customer service, contact Dent Shop today.
If you live in an area where frequent hailstorms occur, you probably already do everything you can to protect your car before the storms arrive. Even with your best efforts, you may get caught in an unexpected storm while you are driving. According to the National Weather Service, it takes a hailstone the size of a golf ball to cause significant vehicle hail damage. If caught in a storm, it’s important to prioritize both your safety as well as the condition of your vehicle. Here are three tips for reducing the hail damage to your vehicle while driving, and how to take action after the storm passes.
Get to Safety
If you are caught in a hailstorm while driving, it’s important to stay calm and find a safe sheltered place to pull over to avoid significant vehicle hail damage. Since wind can blow the hail stones sideways or at an angle, it’s best to pull into a parking garage for shelter. However, finding an immediately accessible parking garage can sometimes be a challenge. As a backup option, look for an overpass or other similar structures where you can safely park away from traffic. This can help prevent additional hail damage to your vehicle’s metal panels, windshields and windowpanes.
Park at an Angle and Protect Yourself
Once you have found a safe place to park, stop your car at an angle. This will make it more likely that any dents from hail will be targeted towards the front of the vehicle. Though this may seem counterintuitive, your windshield is more capable handling impacts than other windows. If large enough, hail stones can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Even so, you are safer inside your vehicle than outside and unprotected. If the hailstorm is severe, lie down in your vehicle and cover yourself with a blanket or other similar covering if you can to protect yourself in the event of broken glass.
Inspect for Auto Hail Damage and Seek Prompt Repairs
After the storm, inspect your car for hail damage in decent lighting. If you notice any dents, you’ll need to have your vehicle fixed or risk driving with a reduced vehicle value. Those with a comprehensive coverage under their auto insurance policy can file a hail damage repair claim to have their damaged assessed and estimated to receive compensation for repairs. It’s advisable to receive a professional estimate from a local paintless dent repair (PDR) shop, which offers repair solutions that restore vehicle value and appearance quickly and cost-effectively. While the assessment and repairs process can seem time-consuming and difficult, there are many PDR shops that offer free estimates and help customers navigate the hail damage repair claims process from start to finish.
It can be a challenge to prevent damage to your vehicle if you live in a hail-prone area. By following these tips, you can significantly minimize the extent of potential damage and save yourself time and money. If you have vehicle hail damage, contact your local Dent Shop today to inquire about a free estimate for our paintless dent repair services. Our team of certified PDR technicians can efficiently assess and repair your vehicle and quickly get you back out on the road again.
When your car sustains damage from hail, it’s crucial to seek hail damage repairs promptly. You may already know the importance of doing so, but if you’re unsure how to get started here is a step-by-step guide to getting hail damage repairs.
Seek Vehicle Hail Damage Assessment Services
Even before you consider having the dents repaired, you should first assess and establish the extent of the damage to determine the appropriate repair method. There are two ways to go about this.
You can document your car’s hail damage by taking clear pictures of the dents from hail
You can visit a dent repair shop and have professionals inspect the hail dents
This is important for insurance purposes, as your insurance company will require evidence of hail damage before they process your claim. When you take pictures of the hail damage, you may also share them with a dent repair technician. Having the technicians assess the auto hail damage is faster and more effective as they will be able to examine the extent of the damage more accurately. Additionally, hail damage repair professionals will tell if the hail damage can be fixed using paintless dent repair (PDR) or other methods.
File Your Insurance Claim for Auto Hail Damage
Now equipped with an accurate assessment that outlines the best repair method and the extent of the hail damage, you can file your insurance claim. The time it takes to get a claim number will depend on how fast your insurance adjuster will work on your claim. Therefore, having a well-documented hail damage report will help your insurance to process your claim faster. That’s why seeking hail damage assessment services is important. Additionally, some dent repair shops may help you complete the insurance claim process so that you can get your claim number faster.
Obtain A Hail Damage Repair Estimate
Ideally, it’s recommended to seek a repair estimate from a certified hail damage repair technician instead of one from an insurance adjuster. If you are not satisfied with the estimate you get from your insurance adjuster, you can shop around for more quotes. An estimate completed by an industry professional will likely be more accurate than one from an insurance adjuster; this is why it’s important to select a PDR shop that works with insurance companies and assists with hail damage repair insurance claims. In most cases, the dent repair professional who conducted the hail damage assessment will give you a free estimate for the hail damage repair.
Seek Professional Vehicle Hail Damage Repairs
After receiving your claim number and selecting a reputable, local dent repair shop, it’s time for the hail dents to be repaired. Here’s what you need to know about hail damage repair.
First, the most effective way to repair dents from hail is through paintless dent repair (PDR). PDR is the most preferred method as it is cost and time-effective, and more importantly, also preserves the original finish of your car. PDR is a systematic process that can take up to two hours when properly done by massaging out the dented metal. A certified dent repair technician may recommend PDR or other car dent repair methods after inspecting your vehicle’s hail damage. If the hail dents have not cracked and damaged the factory finished paint, then paintless dent removal can be used to repair the hail damage.
Secondly, don’t make the mistake of waiting much longer to have the dents from hail fixed. A second hailstorm, a collision or other damage to your vehicle can be problematic when it comes to filing an insurance claim or seeking the proper repairs. More extensive damage to your vehicle may necessitate invasive repairs that require repainting (which lowers vehicle value) or costly part replacement. Additionally, when you wait to have hail damage repair, you may have a problem with your insurance. Existing hail damage may negatively impact the insurance adjuster’s assessment of the repair costs, may invalidate a future claim or can reduce the amount of compensation your insurance policy is required to pay. Keep in mind that if the cost of multiple repairs exceeds the estimated value of your vehicle, your insurance company may deem your vehicle prematurely totaled. In summary, don’t postpone your repairs and risk additional damage impacting the already lowered value of your car.
To get the best hail damage repair services, you should trust an experienced professional from a top dent repair shop. Certified technicians rely on their training and expertise to provide quality PDR services to fix your hail damage thoroughly and efficiently. For high-quality hail damage repairs and top-notch customer service, contact Dent Shop today to get started.
When hail wreaks havoc on your car, you’ll need expert repair services to remove the damage. One option for your hail damage repair work is paintless dent removal, also known as paintless dent repair. This blog post answers common questions about what paintless dent removal involves and why it’s a great choice for the hail damage repair process you need completed on your vehicle.
What Is Paintless Dent Removal?
Most automobiles that have hail damaged panels can be repaired by paintless dent removal. Paintless dent removal is a repair method where trained technicians use industry-grade tools to apply pressure to the underside of the dent cavity, patiently pushing until the dent is gone. Hail damage to your car causes dents that vary in size, width and depth. Because of this, the certified technicians begin by examining the dented panels under powerful lighting to assess the extent of the hail damage. Only after a proper assessment can they decide if the damage should be repaired with paintless dent removal.
Why Choose Paintless Dent Removal?
One of the biggest advantages of paintless dent repair is that it is one of the most environmentally friendly methods of repairing dents to your vehicle – no paint removal and repainting necessary. Another plus to choosing this repair method is that it is often a lot less expensive than more conventional types of auto body repair. The process itself is usually completed within about two hours or so for regular dents, and only a day or two for hail damage dent removal, which makes it a lot less time-consuming than traditional repairs. So if you look at the big picture of paintless dent removal, you’ll see that this environmentally friendly repair method will save you time and money. These reasons alone make it quite a sensible and compelling choice!
Does Insurance Cover Paintless Dent Removal?
Protecting yourself and your investments is certainly a top priority at all times. A car is certainly one of the more valuable assets that you own. With this in mind, be sure to examine your auto insurance policy very carefully and make certain that you consider a policy that includes comprehensive coverage. Usually, comprehensive coverage will take care of you in the event of non-collision related events or storm damage that necessitate repair work to your car. Comprehensive coverage can give you peace of mind so that when the unexpected happens, such as a hailstorm, you won’t have to be worrying about the cost of repairs and dent removal work to your vehicle.
It’s true that vehicle repairs can be an expensive undertaking. In fact, the market for collision repair in the automotive industry is expected to exceed $280 billion by 2024. But remember –even if you are not in a collision with another vehicle and sustain damage from a hailstorm instead, bills for hail damage repair work can be quite high. Paintless dent removal makes the repair work smoother, quicker and less expensive.
At Dent Shop, our team of PDR technicians have the years of expertise needed to complete fast and easy hail damage repairs for your vehicle. To get back on the road again quickly with your hail damage in the rearview mirror, contact Dent Shop today for a free estimate to get started on your repairs!
When your vehicle sustains hail damage, you should seek hail damage repairs without delay – don’t be tempted to wait until the hail season is over. Here’s why you should have your vehicle hail damage repaired as soon as possible after your car has been through a hailstorm.
Prevent Further Damage From Hail
The first round of hail damage may leave small dimple-like dents and dings that can be quickly fixed through paintless dent repair (PDR). According to PDR experts, 90% of dents can be fixed using paintless dent repair techniques. Unless the hailstones were larger than the size of a golf ball, it’s likely that the hail damage merely dented the exterior panels without disturbing the original factory finish paint job. Without paint damage present, technicians can use PDR methods to skillfully and swiftly fix the hail damage without having to repaint or replace parts of your car.
The temptation to wait until the end of hail season to get vehicle hail repair may stem from two common reasons.
You believe the damage isn’t noticeable enough to significantly reduce your vehicle value, and does not require immediate repairs.
You don’t have time in your schedule to get hail dent removal services before the end of hail season.
However, waiting to seek repairs can cause significantly greater problems. Getting caught in another hailstorm will likely worsen the damage to your vehicle, to the detriment of your wallet and insurance payout.
Keep Hail Damage Repair Costs at a Minimum
Having hail damage repairs completed promptly will save you from future dent repairs that will cost you more. Subsequent damage from a second hail event can worsen dents to the point where they can’t be fixed using paintless dent removal. This means you’d need either replacement panels or expensive auto body repairs to fix the damage. Instead, visiting a PDR shop for a free evaluation can determine if this cost-effective method can fix your damaged vehicle. Luckily, most dents from hail can be fixed using PDR, and many PDR shops can work with insurance companies to provide accurate estimates that ensure a proper payout for the repairs. Hail dent removal using PDR is also fast, so you’ll be out of the dent shop in no time. In the event your vehicle cannot be fixed with PDR, these dent shops will recommend a trusted auto body shop instead.
Ensure You Receive An Accurate Repair Claim Payment
Immediately after your car sustains hail damage, take clear pictures of the hail dents and send them to your insurance company so that they can start processing your claim. A claim adjuster will estimate the extent of damage and repair cost, and will likely advise you to seek out a PDR shop for fast and cost-effective repairs. Insurance companies prefer a smaller payout for PDR repairs as opposed to contributing larger amounts toward expensive, lengthy traditional repairs and a loaner car. You can bring your vehicle in for an evaluation and repairs at your local dent shop, and your car is ready to go a day or two later. However, waiting to file a claim or delaying repairs is not advisable. Without reporting and fixing the hailstorm damage, you may have violated your policy, thus reducing the amount your insurance company is liable to pay in the event a second hailstorm occurs or you’re involved in a collision.
Restore the Value of Your Car
Fixing your car hail damage using paintless dent repair methods is preferred because it’s minimally invasive and preserves your car’s original paint. PDR will effectively fix the dents from hail without the need for further repairs, and restores your vehicle’s value to its pre-damaged condition. It’s important to have repairs completed quickly, since the hail damage may have reduced your vehicle’s value by thousands of dollars. Don’t risk your investment in your vehicle by driving around with a reduced vehicle value. In the event of a second hail event or a collision, you want to ensure your vehicle is not at risk of being prematurely totaled. In addition, when your car sustains additional damage that cannot be fixed with PDR, that means you’ll need traditional repairs. This solution fixes your vehicle’s appearance, but does not restore your vehicle value, since it involves repainting and invalidating the factory finish warranty. Repainting and replacing parts of your car panels depreciates the value of your car by a big margin. That’s why you should seek vehicle hail repair services right away so you can reap all the benefits of PDR.
All in all, it’s crucial to seek vehicle hail repair services in good time, to ensure the damage is accurately assessed and reflected in your claim payment, and is fixed quickly and thoroughly. To protect your vehicle value, time and money, opt for paintless dent repairs for your vehicle hail damage. Contact Dent Shop today to schedule your free estimate.
Think you’re in the clear when it comes to hail storms and hail damage in Virginia? Think again – hail storms have been known to occur in our state at any month in the year. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia averages about 100 reports of severe hail in a year.
Unfortunately, too many drivers in Virginia assume their risk of hail is minimal, or only worry about it during colder months. Operating under that assumption can lead to serious, costly vehicle hail damage for the unprepared.
Learn when to worry about hail, how to prevent damage and how to fix vehicle hail damage when it happens.
Do You Have To Worry About Hail Damage?
To be safe, Virginia residents should be prepared to deal with the impact of hail and hail storms at any time of year. Avoid car hail damage by knowing the facts about hail and hail-related weather in Virginia. What are the facts?
Severe thunderstorms are common in Virginia. At times, strong updrafts from these storms can move raindrops upward, into higher levels of the atmosphere that are below freezing. These raindrops freeze and grow as more rain comes into contact with the expanding hail, until the hailstones grow heavy enough to fall through the storm’s updraft.
If hail grows to the size of a quarter or more, the National Weather Service (NWS) must issue a severe thunderstorm warning. While not all storm warnings include potential hail fall, it’s wise to prepare for hail damage in the event of any severe storm on the radar.
Preventing Hail Damage In At-Risk Areas
Ideally, prevention is your best bet. Protect your vehicle(s) from car hail damage by parking in your garage whenever possible or investing in a carport for your driveway.
Other prevention options include parking in a public parking garage, parking under an overpass for especially nasty weather or using heavy blankets or tarps to shield your vehicle from harm. Stay on top of the weather and listen to the most recent weather reports to know when to cover your car.
While a typical driver spends $400 on routine car maintenance and repairs, vehicle damage and the subsequent hail damage insurance claim runs as high as $3,000 on average. This is why prevention of such damage is key – protect your vehicle whenever possible.
Traditional Methods Vs. Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
In the past, vehicle hail damage meant paying for either replacement panels or costly auto body shop conventional repairs. Nowadays, car hail damage can be repaired at a much more economical rate, thanks to paintless dent repair (PDR). Paintless dent repair is faster, more affordable and it is a more practical method that restores vehicle value and retains the original finish and structure of your vehicle.
What type of repair is best for you? Answer these questions to find out.
What kind of car insurance policy do you have? Depending on your insurance plan, car hail damage may or may not be covered at all. Paying for both repairs and a loaner vehicle out of pocket is not ideal, which is why you should select a faster and more cost-effective repair method that returns your fixed vehicle to you quickly. In many cases, paintless dent repair costs markedly less and is completed much more quickly than traditional repair methods.
Do you want to preserve the factory finish paint and exterior of your car? Conventional dent repair methods involve replacing panels of your car, or pumping the dent full of putty or filler to artificially create a smooth surface, then painting over affected areas. PDR avoids doing either of these things. Instead, technicians access panels from the opposite side and gently push and massage the dented metal back into place. This negates the need for a new panel, filler or new paint. Unless your paint has been scratched, maintaining the factory finish paint is important to retain vehicle value since an intact finish is guaranteed by the manufacturer to last for years.
All in all, your vehicle is a valuable piece of property that should be taken care of and protected in the event of potential hail storms and hail damage. If you live in Virginia, car hail damage needs to be on your radar. Follow the tips and tricks above to prevent hail damage or to repair it after a particularly nasty or unexpected hail storm. If you have questions about fixing vehicle hail damage or navigating the hail damage repair claims process to get started on repairs, contact Dent Shop today for assistance!
Please note: This article was originally published by Mobile Tech RX and had been reposted with permission.
Paul Kordon is the owner of Dent Shop in Northern Virginia and creator of his own PDR price matrix. Learn more about his PDR journey and a few lessons he’s learned along the way.
Finding a Passion in PDR
Paul has a friend to thank for introducing him to the auto recon and PDR industry. About 20 years ago, Paul was newly married and selling education loans. While he liked sales, he didn’t enjoy sitting behind a computer all day. So when his friend suggested showing him paintless dent repair, he was eager to learn more.
“It’s a new scene every day—new car, new dent,” Paul says. “I decided to give it a shot and never looked back. I would call myself a career dent guy now.”
From the moment he started training in PDR, Paul knew he’d found his passion and he’d do whatever it took to make it happen. But he hadn’t anticipated he would be in the industry for life.
“I didn’t know I would be in it, at this point, for 21 years, and looking back on it and saying I don’t regret anything,” he says. “I really enjoy this industry and I’m looking forward to the future of it.”
The Paul Kordon Price Matrix: Creating a Pricing Guide
Paul came up with the Paul Kordon price matrix as a way of addressing a problem he was experiencing first-hand.
“I was operating as an independent technician and what I found was that there was no process for me to estimate damage. The estimates were primarily arbitrary numbers that would come out of my head, depending on how I felt or what I thought about the damage that was sitting in front of me.”
Paul Kordon Owner of Dent Shop
The key challenge with his previous off-the-cuff approach was that there was no consistency to his estimates. And that meant there was a larger margin for error and the risk of undervaluing the work. This frustrated Paul so he decided to do something about it.
Over time he developed his own price guide process, adding more details as he went. And finally, the Paul Kordon price matrix was born. By creating a process, he was able to come up with consistent and accurate estimates quickly and efficiently every time. His process takes into account three key factors: the size of the damage, the variables that affect the damage, and any removal and installation requirements.
As Paul became more entrenched in the industry he realized that he had no real concept of how his pricing might compare to others. And when he started asking questions, he noticed there was a lot of disparity between PDR professionals.
“I found that there were a lot of talented guys who weren’t charging enough for their work, in my opinion,” he says.
When he gave his feedback, they were always keen to hear how they could be making more money. And that’s when he started sharing his pricing guide.
The Paul Kordon price matrix has now been widely adopted across the PDR industry. It’s even been integrated into Mobile Tech RX’s estimating software.
Paul Kordon’s 3 Tips for PDR Techs
1. Sell Yourself First
While he is happy to have moved away from his office job, there were skills Paul developed there that he has taken with him into PDR. He credits his ability to sell himself as a huge asset and accelerator to his career now.
“If you can sell yourself, then you can sell anything,” he says. “People will buy anything you’re selling if they buy you.”
Although sales came pretty naturally to him, he advises those entering the industry to be confident in the value of what they’re doing.
“What I always try to encourage guys to remember is the amount of time and energy they spent getting to that point where they can fix a small ding to perfection in just a few minutes,” he says. “I believe, according to the price guide, that a small door dent that you can fix in just a few minutes is worth a certain amount of money.”
“What I always try to encourage guys to remember is the amount of time and energy they spent getting to that point where they can fix a small ding to perfection in just a few minutes. I believe, according to the price guide, that a small door dent that you can fix in just a few minutes is worth a certain amount of money.”
Paul Kordon Owner of Dent Shop
2. Educate as You Estimate
There is often a disparity between the value of the work from a professional’s perspective and the customer’s. So Paul’s mantra is to educate as you estimate. That’s because customers will only see value in something they understand.
“We should be explaining the process, explaining what is happening with their vehicle,” he says. “What’s great about a tool like Mobile Tech RX is that it gives us data to back up what we’re saying.”
At Dent Shop, Paul and his brother have tried to instill a customer service focus in their culture, their team, and everything they do.
“I think it’s in helping the team understand that we’re here to serve people,” he says. “That our business is more about people than anyone else. And if we can get the people part right, then the transactions will come.”
3. Take Advantage of Technology
Paul has been driven by the potential for advancement in the industry as a whole. For this reason, he has taken advantage of technology whenever he can.
“We are always on a mission to find ways to make things faster and easier for people,” he explains. “Not just for our customers, but we’re also looking at our business and the choices we make in our investments in technology from that standpoint. What is going to free up our time to make our jobs faster and easier?”
After all, running a PDR business takes a lot more than the ability to do repairs. As Paul learned after years of being an employee, there are many responsibilities that come with running your own business – from having the right insurance to managing your finances to sourcing your team.
“Before you know it, you’ve got a full-time job just managing and building a company. And that’s when you dig and you start to look for tools.”
A Bright Future for PDR
One of the biggest rewards he’s experienced since deciding to run his own business is the innovation in the industry from PDR tools to new technology. He sees huge potential in the future of PDR. He also has a lot of faith in the next generation of PDR professionals.
“They’re younger, they’re more agile, and they understand digital better than generations before mine,” he says. “I think they have massive opportunity. I think the learning curve is shorter. The tools are getting better. With the help of the internet and the digital age, the opportunities are endless.”
Although technology has helped him to grow his business, he also advises newcomers to remember the importance of human interaction, too.
“I’d tell them not to be over-dependent on technology,” he says. “Develop some people skills, some selling skills, some ability to look a person in the eye, shake their hand, and sell yourself. If you can sell yourself, you can probably sell anything.”
In fact, if he could change anything from his past, it would have been to focus on developing his sales and leadership skills earlier in his career. That’s because a large part of Paul’s success has been centred on his philosophy of customers first. He believes that the key to higher prices in the industry as a whole will come from a professional approach to customer service.
When business owners are organized, detail-oriented, and have a consistent process for estimating, they show that they take their customer’s needs seriously. And customers, in turn, will see the value in the services being provided.
“I think that what it comes down to is that customers want to know that the people who are making their repairs on their cars or detailing their vehicle really care about what they’re doing.”
Hailstorms can wreak havoc on your car’s exterior and devalue its worth. Hail damage repairs can be expensive if you don’t have a comprehensive insurance policy. According to insurance.com, the average claim for hail damage repair is around $3,000 on average in 2020. Compare that to the $305 average vehicle repair cost for other forms of damage. There are steps you can take to minimize the effects of car hail damage on your wallet and protect your car’s value. Here’s a quick guide to what you need to know about to prepare for and deal with auto hail damage.
How Hail Damage Devalues Your Car
If a hailstorm leaves behind auto hail damage and you choose not to repair it, the value of your car will go down by the amount it would cost to fix each dent. This is typically around $3,000 for average damages. However, the value of your car won’t decrease at all if you file a claim under comprehensive coverage and take your vehicle in for paintless dent repair. Since comprehensive insurance policies cover not at-fault incidents or damage from weather, filing a claim will not drive up your insurance costs.
Yet if the cost of the damage is less than your deductible, it may not make sense to file a claim because you’ll have to pay for the repairs. If your vehicle is old and not worth much, your insurance company may deem the total value of the vehicle lesser than the cost of repairs, in which case they will determine the car as totaled. You’ll have to weigh the value of your car, the repair costs and your deductible amount to determine whether or not to file a claim.
Another crucial consideration regarding vehicle hail damage is that your car will be significantly devalued until it’s fixed. This is important to remember because if you get into an accident, your insurance company will weigh the vehicle value against the costs of collision repairs and hail damage repairs, which can sometimes cause your vehicle to be prematurely totaled. Driving around with hail damage in a now devalued car is a risk to your investment in your vehicle, which is why you should seek repairs as soon as you’re able.
How to Prevent Hail Damage
The best way to protect your car is to prevent hail damage in the first place. Watch for local weather alerts and park your car in a garage whenever possible. Check your insurance policy to make sure it includes comprehensive coverage, since a policy change after a hailstorm will not apply to hail damage incurred before. Your vehicle is not only your mode of transportation, but a big investment that should be protected as much as possible; taking necessary precautions to mitigate hail damage is well worth your time and effort.
How to Fix Hail Damage
The best way to repair auto hail damage is with paintless dent repair. Paintless dent repair is not only more cost-effective for repairing hail damage, but it’s also less harmful to your car. With traditional dent repair, you end up with a Carfax report that devalues your vehicle, since it documents repairs made that lower the worth of the vehicle. Conventional repairs fall under that category because it’s a cosmetic repair method that fixes the appearance of the vehicle by filling in and repainting over dents, meaning the damage is still there, but now it’s covered with a coat of paint that may not last or match the rest the vehicle after some time has passed. Instead, choose paintless dent repair to fix your car’s hail damage for a faster and more cost-effective solution that protects your investment in your vehicle.
Dealing with auto hail damage can be frustrating. Hail not only dents your car, but your wallet as well. If you need help fixing hail damage on your vehicle, call Dent Shop today to get a free evaluation.
During a hailstorm, your vehicle may sustain hail damage on the roof, side panels, or on the hood or trunk. You should get a reputable dent removal technician to evaluate and repair these dents from hail stones, using the most effective hail damage repair method: paintless dent repair (PDR). Here’s why.
PDR for Hail Damage is Minimally Invasive
Typically, dents from hail impacts are prime candidates for paintless dent repair. According to the National Weather Service, for hail to extensively damage your vehicle, it would take a hailstone larger the size of a golf ball (1.75 inches). As such, in most cases you can repair hail dents using PDR methods. Paintless dent repair is quick and minimally invasive as it doesn’t require sanding, painting or filling as with traditional auto body repairs.
PDR Ensures Efficient Hail Damage Repairs
A PDR technician will use special mirrors and lighting to inspect the extent of the auto hail damage. Your PDR technician will then access the dented panels from the backside. Only the interior panels need to be removed for this inspection, which means it’s a relatively quick process. Once your technician can access the dented outer panel, they use specialized tools and techniques to gently unbend it and work the metal back to its original shape. When expertly done, PDR can take less than two hours to complete.
PDR for Hail Damage is Cost-Effective
Compared to traditional auto body repairs, paintless dent repair is cost-effective because it utilizes fewer repair materials, less labor and less time. Save yourself a great deal of money and time with PDR as opposed to conventional repairs. Car owners who aren’t familiar with PDR may get in over their heads when their vehicles get dented by hail. They start thinking of the downtime and inconvenience they’ll have to endure when the hail damage is getting fixed, as well as the repairs cost and the hassle of renting a vehicle for use while their car is in the shop. It’s far preferable to avoid such stressful situations by choosing PDR repairs, as opposed to conventional repairs art a busy auto body shop. When you use paintless dent repair techniques, you’re investing in a much more cost-effective solution to your dents from hail.
PDR Offers an Easy Time with Insurance
Auto insurance adjusters recommend PDR for auto hail damage. Since PDR is a fast process, they usually don’t have to send a courtesy car. In addition, the claim process is also relatively quick. All you have to do is document the extent of the hail damages by taking clear pictures of the dents and dings, and then send them to your insurance company. Once you get a claim number, your PDR technician can proceed with the vehicle hail damage repairs to return your car to its original condition and value.
PDR Preserves Your Car’s Factory Finish
This is perhaps the main reason that most vehicle owners are drawn to PDR. The admiration and preference of PDR cuts across the auto industry, from high-end sports cars to more affordable car brands. Nobody wants to repaint or replace any of the body panels of their cars, as that decreases the market value of the car by a significant margin. Whether the hail-damaged vehicles are new or pre-owned, they are all prime candidates for PDR repairs that maintain vehicle value.
Don’t panic when your car sustains dents from hail – cost-effective PDR techniques will repair the hail damage in record time. To determine if your vehicle’s hail damage is a candidate for PDR, text us photos of your hail damage for a free evaluation or stop by for a free drive-through estimate. To get the best auto hail damage repair in Rapid City or Northern Virginia, contact our team at Dent Shop today.
When your car sustains hail damage, you should seek an estimate and hail damage repair from professional dent repair technicians. As any reputable dent removal technician will tell you, paintless dent repair (PDR) is the most effective hail damage repair method. You may already know that PDR is the ultimate solution for your vehicle’s dents and dings, but do you know where to start when it comes to hail damage? Here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind when your car is damaged by hail.
DO: Take Clear Pictures of the Hail Damage on Your Vehicle
If your car insurance covers hail damage, you should take pictures that document the hail damage extensively and send them to your insurance company to file a claim. Most car insurance companies classify hail damage under comprehensive claims. Once you receive a claim number from your insurance company, you can begin the process of obtaining repairs. Luckily, most insurance companies accept and even recommend PDR repairs, since it’s such a superior, fast and cost-effective repair method. For that reason, it’s also advisable to send pictures of your hail damage to your local PDR shop before your visit. Ensure all the pictures are in focus and the dents are well-lit and shown from different angles to clearly convey the extent of the damage.
DO: Visit a Vehicle Hail Repair Shop
Depending on the extent of the hail damage on your vehicle, a professional dent repair technician will advise you on the best method of vehicle hail repair in Rapid City. Typically, PDR dent removal works on hail damage that has neither major scratches nor damage to the factory finish paint on your vehicle. No paint damage means PDR methods can be used to massage the dent out, but if paint damage is present, rust will develop and spread on the exposed metal necessitating more extensive repairs or panel replacement. A PDR technician can easily and quickly assess the hail damage to determine if PDR is the best repair option and will suggest reputable body shops as an alternative if a more extensive repair solution is needed. You want to have a professional opinion before you deal with your insurance or start to estimate the hail damage repair cost.
As soon as your car insurance approves the hail dent repairs, your PDR technician should be ready to start the auto hail damage repairs. It makes sense why this modern paintless dent repair method is preferred by insurance companies and drivers alike as a body shop alternative.
Now that you know the steps to take when your car is damaged by hail, it is also wise to know what you shouldn’t do. Here is what you should avoid.
DON’T: Postpone Hail Damage Repair
You may be tempted to wait for the hail season to end before you seek car hail damage repair services. You want to avoid waiting for two main reasons. First, if your car sustains additional hail damage, the extent of the damage and the number of dents is only going to increase. With big dents on your car or secondary damage that cracks the paint, paintless dent removal may not be the appropriate fix, meaning your repair costs and time in the shop has gone up significantly. If repairs aren’t a viable option, you may have no choice but to replace entire body panels in your car. Even worse, using traditional autobody repairs instead of PDR means your car will lose the original factory finish that maintains its value and visual appeal. You stand to lose much more money if you wait to have the damage repaired and its worsens beyond what PDR can fix.
The second reason why you shouldn’t wait to fix hail damage on your car is insurance. Your insurance adjuster may decline to pay the auto hail damage repair costs if you fail to claim within the specified time limit. Usually, the timeframe is between six months and one year – you should confirm this time length with your insurance company. Hail can cause serious damage or big dents on your car, and these repairs may get pricey. To avoid paying out-of-pocket, you should report the damage to your insurance company as soon as it occurs.
Paintless dent repair is the superior method of fixing auto hail damage, and not just because it preserves the original factory finish paint on your car. It’s more cost-effective and is also the fastest way to repair dents from hail damage. In fact, paintless dent repair can take as little as two hours when done properly, though for hail damage with multiple dents repair times can vary.
At Dent Shop, our team of professional hail damage repair technicians are here to fix your vehicle and get it back to you for half the cost and in half the time. For professional estimates and superior hail damage repair results, contact Dent Shop today!
