Besides dents caused by auto accidents, vehicles can also be dinged and dented in other scenarios, such as debris falling or being blown into a car, or weather events like storms that cause hail damage. In this article, we look at the most common causes of car dents and damage covered by an insurance claim.
Car Doors
There’s a reason why you should always give room for clearance when parking near other cars. Automobile doors are one of the most common causes of car dents. Picture this, the people in the car next to yours are in a hurry or careless enough to open their car doors with enough force to hit your side of the car. By the time you return to your vehicle, the only evidence left is an ugly dent. To avoid this, always choose the most open area of a parking lot you can find.
Grocery Carts
Car doors are not the only thing that can hit and damage your car. While grocery carts may look harmless, if they’re left at an incline, they can roll with enough momentum to hit your car and create a dent. Unfortunately, most grocery store shoppers don’t care where they leave their cart, so it’s up to you to ensure your car is out of harm’s way.
Weather
Wind alone can blow umbrellas, bicycles and other debris into vehicles easily. If you live in an area prone to hail storms, then you may experience a few cases of auto hail damage. If a hailstorm is particularly wild, the hail damage can be extensive. The best thing is to always keep up to date with the weather news. If there’s a hail prediction, keep your car safe and undercover to prevent or minimize hail damage. The same also applies to other weather events, such as windstorms and tornadoes.
Falling Objects
There are many instances where falling objects can dent your car. If you’re parked under a tree, small tree branches and even acorns can fall with enough force to leave dents in your car. Additionally, if you’re parked under a high-rise building, any object that falls from such a height can hit your car with enough force to cause a dent. Avoid parking under trees or next to tall buildings if possible.
Tight Spaces
You can dent your car while attempting to squeeze it through a tight space. This can be a parking space, your garage or on the road while trying to pass another car. If you want to avoid dents, your best bet is to give yourself plenty of room to maneuver. Declutter your garage so you have plenty of space to park and open all vehicle doors.
Knowing the most common causes of car dents will helpfully make you more cautious and proactive about keeping your car protected, both on the road and in your public parking safety measures. In the event your vehicle does sustain dents and dings, know that this damage can be covered by an insurance claim. If you require assistance filing and managing your insurance claim, and require top-notch dent or hail damage repairs, contact Dent Shop today. Our team offers free estimates and can help you navigate the insurance claims process.