Archives for January 2018

Scientifically Speaking

The Physics of Hail

Our elementary school science teacher taught us that all objects fall at the same speed. When it comes to hail, the same theory holds true. It isn’t the speed at which hail falls, it is the size of the hail that is hitting your vehicle. A hailstone the size of a pea won’t cause damage but the quarter-sized hailstones, that is an entirely different story.

It’s All In The Angles

Hailstorms that occur with little to no wind depends solely on gravity. Hoods, trunks, and roofs are the most vulnerable to hail damage.  If the wind is so intense that it blows the hail sideways, then it’s going to damage vehicle panels that would otherwise be out of harm’s way. Windshields get broken and doors get bruised and battered.

Material Make a Difference

Another aspect to consider is the panel material the hail is hitting. Different makes and models have different grades and thicknesses of metal. The thicker or more durable the material, the less damage your vehicle will sustain.

Avoid the Hailstorm

The best way to protect your vehicle from hail damage is to shelter your vehicle if a storm is producing any type of hail anywhere in your vicinity. If you don’t have access to shelter, shopping malls and city parking garages are a good place to start looking.

One last thing: make sure your vehicle has comprehensive coverage if you expect to get it repaired if it is damaged due to weather events.

If your vehicle has hail damage, we are here to help. Schedule a free hail damage inspection online or give us a call to get started with the auto hail repair process.

McKinney Hail Storm Predictions for 2026

As a McKinney paintless dent repair shop, we live by the radar. Predicting weather trends in North Texas is never an exact science, but based on the record-breaking hailstorms we’ve witnessed over the last two years, the trend of “bigger and more frequent” is officially the new normal.

For context, 2025 was one of the costliest years for hail damage in Texas history. A massive “catastrophe-level” storm on June 1, 2025, pummeled the McKinney and DFW metroplex with stones up to 3 inches in diameter, contributing to a staggering $5.6 billion in annual hail claims paid out by major insurers like State Farm.

The Hail Shop USA of McKinney, TX stays ahead of the storm. When Texas gets hit, it hits big—and in 2026, being prepared isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a necessity.

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The Old Farmer’s Almanac

2026 McKinney Weather Outlook

We look to The Old Farmer’s Almanac as a foundational tool for our seasonal preparedness. Here is what the 2026 outlook tells us about the months ahead in North Texas:

• Winter Recap: We experienced a warmer-than-average winter with below-normal precipitation, which often sets the stage for a more volatile atmospheric shift when the spring moisture arrives.

• Spring Predictions (Peak Hail Season): April and May 2026 are predicted to be warmer and wetter than usual. In North Texas, these are the highest-risk months. With above-average moisture and warmer surface temperatures clashing with cold upper-level air, we are tracking a high probability of giant hail events through mid-June.

• Summer Predictions: Expect a “Hot & Wet” summer. The Almanac predicts hotter-than-normal temperatures for July and August, with a tropical storm threat in late August that could bring secondary wind and debris damage to the McKinney area.

• Fall Predictions: September and October look to be cooler than normal in North Texas with above-normal rainfall. While we typically see a drop in hail frequency in the fall, the increased moisture levels mean we can’t rule out a late-season “surprise” storm.

To Fix or Not to Fix Auto Hail Damage

That is the question.

The first decision you need to make is what are your plans for the vehicle. If you plan on driving the vehicle into the ground and never selling it, it might not be worth getting the hail damage repaired.

What is it worth to you?

Some things to keep in mind when deciding what to do with your hail damaged vehicle.

Keeping the money. If you have filed a hail damage claim with your insurance company and have been issued a check to repair the damage, they will expect you to use the money to get the damage repaired. If you decide to keep the money, you will not be able to file another claim and get another payout.

Resale on a hail damaged vehicle. If you plan on selling the vehicle in the future, expect to get less money. If you are wanting to trade-in your hail damaged vehicle for another vehicle at a dealership, the appraiser will take note of every dent & ding on the vehicle and decrease the value of the vehicle.

To figure out the resale value of your vehicle, visit our ONLINE HAIL DAMAGE ESTIMATION TOOL and subtract that number from the KELLEY BLUE BOOK  VALUE.

Salt or no salt. If you live in an area where snow falls and roads get icy, many cities use salt to melt ice on roadways. If the hail damage has damaged the paint in any way on your panels, you run the risk of rust. In other words, if the hail damage has lifted or loosened the paint or if the paint has been cracked or bubbled, you are at a greater risk for rust when salt comes into contact with the area.

Conclusion

If you hate driving a dinged-up, hail damaged car, and/or you think you may want to sell or trade it in the future, you should seriously think about getting it fixed. Especially if it’s a vehicle with a high resale value.

If you plan on never selling the vehicle and driving it to its death, you might not need to get it fixed.

If you have additional questions about the value of getting your hail damage repaired, call us or stop by our shop.