In the event you get caught out driving in a hailstorm, the safest thing you can do is to park your vehicle by the roadside or under shelter as quickly as you’re able. However, that is not always possible. Data from the National Weather Service suggests that it takes a hailstone the size of a golf ball (1.75 inches) to cause some hail damage to a vehicle. If the hailstones are smaller than that, you might choose to keep driving. In this article, we look at what you need to know about driving in hail.

Stay Calm

It can be nerve-wracking to drive in a hailstorm. However, as scary as it is, you must stay calm and know that you’re safest sheltered in your vehicle. Do not panic or leave your vehicle, since you can also end up being hurt by the impact of the hailstones. You should only leave your vehicle if you’re able to park it in a parking garage. Note that it may take some time for the storm to pass, so check the weather on your phone once you’ve pulled over to determine how long the hailstorm may be.

Stay on the Road

Driving during a hailstorm can be dangerous, as your visibility and that of other drivers is affected. However, if you are caught in a hailstorm, keep on driving until you find a safe place to pull over. If you park under an overpass, make sure to keep your emergency lights on and your vehicle out of traffic. In some cases, hail damage can include shattered windows, so be sure to shelter underneath a blanket in your vehicle if you’re unable to drive any further but haven’t found a safe place to park.

Protect Yourself

What you need to do if you find yourself driving in a severe hailstorm is to find a sheltered place quickly. This may even require you to change direction and head towards the nearest secure location. Firstly, you must assess the situation and decide if it would be safer to keep driving or to go park somewhere. If driving presents a danger to you, then get to a shelter as soon as you can. If you cannot continue driving due to low visibility or safety, pull over. You may be tempted to pull a blanket over your vehicle to protect it, but you must weigh the risks to your own safety first if you get out of the vehicle. Risking serious injury or head trauma is often not worth it.

Driving in a hailstorm presents several challenges, one being your safety and the other being hail damage to your vehicle. Therefore, you must do everything you can to ensure that your car is safe, but more importantly, that you are secure as well. To do this, stay calm so you can make sound decisions that are not panic driven. In the event a hailstorm does damage your vehicle, contact Dent Shop for a free estimate, swift and superior hail damage repairs and hail damage claims assistance.

If you happen to live in a place where hailstorms are common, like Rapid City, South Dakota, you’re well aware of the possibility of being caught in one while driving. Hail the size of a golf ball or greater can significantly damage a vehicle, but even smaller sized hail can still pose risks to your car, you and your passengers. The idea is to reduce the chance of vehicle hail damage as much as possible.

Here are a few of the ways that you can protect yourself and your car if you’re driving when a hailstorm starts and what to do after the storm has passed.

Pull Over in a Sheltered Location

As soon as you notice hail stones, turn on your flashers and slow your vehicle down. Instruct any passengers to move away from the windows as much as possible. Immediately look for a chance to pull your car over in a sheltered location. Preferably, you should find someplace that will cover your car from the storm as much as possible, such as a covered parking garage. If your only option is an overpass, be sure to pull completely off the road, knowing the wind can blow hail sideways and hit your vehicle anyways. But some shelter is better than none. Anything that will be able to block hail stones from hitting your car and prevent the need for vehicle hail damage repair is a good spot to stop during a storm.

Protect Yourself and Stay Away from Windows

After you’ve found a place to shelter your car, the next step is to protect yourself and your passengers. Be sure to stay in the vehicle at all times since hail can inflict severe injuries to the human body. Move away from the windows as much as you can, perhaps by getting into the backseat or reclining your seat. Keeping a blanket in the car is good for a multitude of scenarios, and one of those reasons is that you can use it to cover yourself during a hailstorm. Since large enough hailstones can severely dent metal and crack or shatter windows, you should cover yourself and your passengers with a blanket to protect against shattered glass from broken windows.

Check the Weather Before You Start Driving Again

If it seems like the hailstorm has cleared up, it’s a good idea to double-check with a weather app on your phone to make sure that is the case. A lull in the storm is not always an indication that it has completely passed. Your safety and the condition of your vehicle is paramount, and is worth waiting until the doppler radar indicates the storm has moved on. Even once you’ve confirmed that it’s safe to leave your sheltered area, you should also be very careful of the hailstones on the road that could impair your driving and that of others on the road.

Once the storm is over, you can check for any damage and contact your local dent shop about any auto hail damage that your car may have sustained during the storm. Dent removal doesn’t have to be invasive or expensive, so be sure to get more than one professional estimate regarding your options for vehicle hail repair. Contact Dent Shop today to learn more about modern hail damage repair methods that restore your vehicle’s value and appearance!

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.

There’s no question about whether or not hail can cause damage to your vehicle. But what sort of circumstances affect just how much damage your vehicle incurs? Here are a few factors that influence the severity of the damage and the extent of the hail damage repairs you’ll need.

Hailstone Size

Did you know that hailstones can have a diameter of six inches or more? While this is pretty far from the norm, the possibility of large hailstones that can smash through windows and crack windshields is a very real one. That being said, hailstones don’t have to be giant in order to necessitate hail damage repairs for your vehicle. In fact, hailstones that are just one inch in diameter and falling consistently cause damage to cars most frequently. The dimpled dents that result from such hailstorms are often smaller but still numerous and can require costly repairs. In most cases, unless the hailstones cracked the paint, paintless dent repairs are the best option for vehicle hail damage.

Length of the Hailstorm

The duration of a hailstorm can also affect just how much damage your car sustains. A hailstorm that lasts just a few minutes might not leave any noticeable dents to the untrained eye. (Keep in mind, it may take specialized lighting to inspect your vehicle and ensure no hail damage is present.) On the other hand, a hailstorm that lasts an hour or more could do some decent damage to your car. If you’re trying to avoid the need for hail damage repairs, then make sure you keep an eye on the forecast so you can prepare adequately for any hailstorms on the horizon.

Hailstorm Wind Speed

Wind speed is a factor that most people don’t really think about when it comes to vehicle hail damage. The unfortunate truth is that wind has a lot to do with how much damage hail stones can wreak on your vehicle. Higher wind speeds typically contribute to more severe vehicle hail damage. It’s also important to take the hailstone size into account. Smaller hailstones, even moving at higher speeds, often still cause less damage than larger hailstones in high winds. Wind doesn’t just affect the speed at which the hailstones hit your car, it also affects the location of the damage. With low wind speed, damage frequently occurs on the hood, roof and trunk of a vehicle. But with higher wind speeds, the wind gusts can carry hailstones sideways and cause damage to more surface area of your vehicle. You’ll need a thorough evaluation of your vehicle to ensure no dents are missed when you take your car in for repairs.

Preventive Measures

Did you take any preventive measures to protect your vehicle before a hailstorm hit? This is a critical part of making sure your vehicle stays damage free in the event of a hailstorm. Ideally, a garage or carport is where you want to keep your vehicle to avoid any and all possibility of hail damage. Even a car cover or blankets can help shield your vehicle from hail damage. The more preventive measures you take, the less likely you are to need hail damage repairs at all. If you get caught in a hailstorm while driving, try to find a sheltered spot to park your vehicle as quickly as possible.

Any number of factors could influence just how much a passing hailstorm damages your car. If your car ever sustains such damage, don’t wait to invest in hail damage repairs. Maintaining the vehicle and condition of your vehicle is important, and paintless dent repairs are your best option to restore your vehicle to its pre-damaged appearance and worth. Contact Dent Shop today for a free hail damage repair estimate, top-notch repairs and premier customer service.

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!

According to the National Weather Service, hailstones need to reach the approximate size of golf balls before they will do damage to your car. That’s welcome news – especially given that the U.S. experienced 5,382 severe hailstorms in 2019. Not only that, but insurers paid an estimated $7.26 billion for hail damage to automobiles from 2008 to 2014 alone, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Even so, minor dents and dings happen. Here’s what you need to know to prevent hail damage and what to do if hail damages your car.

Protect Your Car From Hail Damage

When hailstorms occur, damage to your vehicle does not have to be inevitable. There are several measures you can take to greatly reduce your car’s chances of sustaining hail damage in the first place. Here are just a few:

• Keep your car in a garage or carport. Sometimes the most straightforward approach is best. If possible, avoid parking your car out in the open.
• Seek shelter when potential hailstorms are forecasted. If you do not have a garage or carport, consider parking your vehicle in a parking garage nearby. Keep an eye on the weather report.
• Head out to your local auto body shop. Auto body shops sell hail car covers to prevent hail damage.
• Improvise. In a pinch, you can make your own hail cover. Use blankets, comforters and/or foam mattress pads, like egg crate toppers, to protect the roof of your car as well as windshield and back window. For additional protection, place car mats on the windows, and then layer a blanket or cover on top. Keep lightweight blankets and mattress toppers in place by duct taping them to your car. You can also use bungee cords, tie-down straps or rope.

After Hail Damage: Will Insurance Cover Repairs?

Although coverage may vary by carrier, generally speaking, hail damage is only covered by comprehensive automotive insurance. In most cases, liability insurance will not cover hail.

If you think comprehensive automotive insurance is best for you, make sure to be proactive about it. In some cases, insurers will not allow drivers to purchase comprehensive insurance once the media predicts major storm or qualifying event.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR): A Solution for Minor Dings and Serious Dents

Even if you take due precautions, it is possible that an unexpected storm may leave your car with hail damage anyway. The good news is that repairing hail damage, especially minor dents and dings, can be relatively simple, fast and inexpensive, thanks to paintless dent repair (PDR).

What is paintless dent repair? In order to repair minor dents and dings, technicians access dents from the inside of the panel with the damage. From there, the technician uses special tools to view and repair the dent. These tools place just the right amount of pressure on the body of the car to gently, carefully massage the dented material back into its original position.

Because PDR fixes the dent and doesn’t just mask it like traditional dent repair (which only “fixes” the surface appearance), cars repaired with PDR do not have a lower resale value. Most dents can be repaired this way in just a few hours or that same business day.

Left untreated, hail damage can be unsightly and affect the resale value of your car. While it takes an inch-wide hailstone to do major damage, hail the size of a quarter can still leave a distinct and lasting mark. Take steps to prevent hail damage from occurring in the first place. Failing that, opt for paintless dent repair (PDR) to fix minor dings or major creases from your trusted Dent Shop.