If you live in an area where hail is frequent, you’ve likely imagined or experienced that it can damage your belongings, including your car. It’s not a bad idea to be prepared!
If you ever find yourself driving and start to feel, see, or hear hail repelling off your vehicle, locate a safe place nearby to pull over and wait out the storm. Once the storm passes, check the extent of the damage to your vehicle to make sure it is still safe to drive.
For example, you should not drive with a cracked windshield or damage so severe that it compromises the structural integrity of your car.
Dealing with hail damage can feel intimidating, but Dent Heads is here to help. Here’s what the next few steps may look like!
Evaluate the Extent of the Damage
The results of getting caught in a hailstorm can range from almost nothing to damage so severe the car needs to be declared a salvage vehicle. If you’re lucky, you might get away with a few minor dings that Dent Heads can easily repair.
However, there’s a reason hail damage insurance claims are on the rise, and that’s because hail can cause a lot of damage, with repair costs running in the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
When it comes to damage, it’s always best to have it repaired by a qualified PDR technician at Dent Heads. If you have 10 or more dents, it is in your best interest to contact your insurance company and then reach out to Dent Heads.
Our qualified technicians can look at your vehicle and determine what next steps you need to take to restore the body.
Check Your Insurance Policy
Always make sure to check that the liability portion of your insurance policy covers hail damage, as some policies may not!
Policies that include comprehensive coverage will be able to cover your repairs, leaving you with just a deductible. Be sure to look into this, as you may save yourself the hassle of paying out of pocket.
However, many policies (especially those with older cars) don’t include comprehensive insurance on their policies so that they can pay lower premiums. Always look over your specific policy before submitting a claim!
The Extent of Your Auto Body Repair: Things to Consider
In addition to your insurance coverage, there are many other things to consider when deciding what type of auto body repair you will need for your vehicle.
Your Car’s Appearance
If the car is relatively new and still looking good, most people will want to keep it that way, especially if the cost won’t take too big of a bite out of your bank account.
Trade-In Value
If your car was in good shape prior to the hailstorm, repairing the damage will give you the maximum trade-in or resale value of your car.
How Long You Plan to Keep Your Vehicle
If hail has caused structural damage to your car and you plan to keep it, then you will find it’s worth it to repair the body.
How You’ll Get Around in the Meantime
Having your car serviced can be intimidating, and not knowing how you will get from A to B without a car can add a layer of hesitancy.
At Dent Heads, we offer you a rental or loaner car in the meantime. We know it can be overwhelming to worry about transportation, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting the best possible care.
Trusting the Pros
Trusting a PDR specialist with your car is the best route if you plan on pursuing a course of action. This way, you are guaranteed a satisfactory job.
Trying to fix dents yourself or asking a non-PDR specialist to assist in repairs could result in more damage without an expert’s course of action.
Schedule Paintless Dent Repair at Dent Heads
Do you need minor dents removed from your vehicle? At Dent Heads, we remove door dings, creases, hail damage, and dents from your vehicle while keeping the original paint job intact.
Drop your car off at our shop in Bloomington, or we can come to you with our remote dent removal services! We offer both in-shop and mobile services throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
Schedule an appointment here, or call/text us at 612-986-1171 today!