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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.

The Dent Artisan  vs The Auto Body Repair Technician

If you own a vehicle, there is a good chance you’ve visited an auto body shop. If you live in tornado or hail alley, you have probably been to a paintless dent repair shop.

You might think both of these places are one in the same but you would be wrong.

If you call a body shop looking for hail damage repair, you will either be referred to a paintless dent repair shop or they might have a PDR technician on-staff. In the not-so-far-off past, an auto body shop was the only repair option you would have for any kind of auto body damage.

Auto Hail Repair at an Auto Body Shop

At an auto body shop, auto hail damage repair would be treated the same as major collision damage. If the hail damage was severe enough, holes would be drilled into the metal and the dents would be pulled out. After the dent was removed, some kind of filler would be used to patch up the hole. Then, the filler would be sanded down and finally repainted.

If the hail damage was deep and widespread, the entire panel would be replaced.

Auto Hail Repair with Paintless Dent Repair

If you have ever been to a paintless dent repair shop, the first thing you might notice (or not notice) is the quiet and possibly better coffee.

In a paintless dent repair shop, you will never hear the sound of drilling or pounding hammers. You won’t smell the noxious fumes of spray paint. In fact, you might think you walked into the wrong place.

Why? Because paintless dent repair is just that…paintless.

If the paint has been damaged in any way, PDR is not an option. The only good thing about auto hail damage is no paint damage. 99% of the time, a hailstone will NOT damage paint.

With paintless dent repair, technicians use a unique collection of tools that were designed just for auto dent repair and auto hail repair. They resemble metal rods with colorful handles and come in multiple lengths.

With these tools, a trained PDR technician will position him or herself behind the dent and artfully massage the dent back to its pre-damaged state. A good technician knows exactly just how hard to push and for how long. When the dent is coaxed back to its original state, the dent will not return and the paint is undisturbed.

So, in conclusion – you can see why paintless dent repair technicians refer to their craft as more of an art form rather than an auto body repair.

If you would like to learn more about paintless dent repair, stop by any of our shops and get a quick demo!

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Can Hailstones Cause Paint Damage?

In this article, we will talk about is your vehicle’s paint job can be damaged by hail and what to do if your hail damage repair claim has been denied by your insurance company due to paint damage.

It is a terrible feeling when you watch as your vehicle gets pounded by hail. Maybe you are at work and do not have access to covered parking. It could be that you do not have a garage and driving your vehicle to safety in a damaging hail storm just isn’t possible.

A big question we get from vehicle owners that call us for hail damage repair is, “Does hail damage hurt the paint?”

In most cases, no.

In some cases, when the hailstones that are striking your vehicle are over a couple of inches in diameter, yes – paint damage can happen, BUT, it is a bit rare. Of the thousands of vehicles we have inspected over the years for auto hail damage, we have seen this maybe 2-3.

If you feel that hail damage has damaged the paint on your vehicle, we can inspect the damage for free and if we feel it was the hail that caused paint damage, we will take that up with your insurance company.

How Does Hail Damage Happen?

Auto hail damage happens when a hailstone, typically 1 – 1 1/2″ in diameter, strikes a panel and leaves behind a dent. A  good description of how hail damage will look on very badly damaged vehicle is “dimpled”.

Natural hail is relatively soft and, typically, does not harm paint.

What To Do If Insurance Company Denies The Hail Damage Claim

If your insurance adjuster denies your hail damage claim and you feel they are incorrect and the auto hail damage DID chip, crack or damage your paint in any way, you can do the following.

Let your insurance company know that you need their decision in writing, not just over the phone. If the adjuster says that is not possible, ask for a supervisor. If they still won’t do it, get in touch with your state’s insurance regulation department and initiate a written complaint.  Send a copy of that letter to the insurance company.

How To Initiate A Complaint To Your States Insurance Regulatory Department

1. Contact your insurance company or agent and bring the problem to their attention. Document your phone calls by noting the name of the person you speak to, the date of the call and a brief summary of the conversation. Keep copies of all written communications.

2. If you are not satisfied with the results you receive, contact the Department of Insurance for assistance. Insurance analysts are available to answer general questions by phone. However, complaints must be submitted in writing.

The Hail Shop USA Insurance Questions & Free Inspections

If you need help initiating your auto hail damage claim or you are concerned that your claim might be denied due to paint damage, we are here to help. Give us a call today at 800-485-9026 and we will everything we can to make sure you get covered if you DO have hail damage that has damaged your vehicles paint.

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