The Ultimate Auto Hail Repair Guide
Seamless & Easy Auto Hail Repair
Severe storms often include large hail, which can cause significant damage to your car and other personal property.
Hailstones striking your vehicle can leave noticeable dents and damage the factory paint. Dealing with auto hail damage can be stressful and overwhelming. The extent of the damage depends on the storm’s strength, the size of the hailstones, and your car’s location during the weather event. It’s crucial to know how to respond quickly with professional auto hail repair after a hailstorm.
The Hail Shop USA has developed this comprehensive guide to simplify the auto hail repair process.
If you need to schedule a repair appointment, please call us or schedule online.
How is Hail Damage Repaired?
Learn how PDR repairs you vehicles hail damage without traditional body filler or paint.
Learn MoreAuto Hail Insurance Claims Guide
Navigate your comprehensive coverage, file claims, and how deductibles work.
Learn MoreHail Repair on Leased Vehicles
Avoid unexpected lease-return penalties by properly inspecting and repairing hail damage.
Learn MoreHail Damage on New Vehicles
Immediate steps to take if your brand new vehicle was damaged in a hail storm.
Learn MoreAuto Hail Repair Cost
Understand the 3 main pricing factors, insurance matrix systems, and repair calculators.
Learn MoreTotal Loss Guide
Total Loss Colorado guides you to the maximum payout you deserve on a total loss claim
Learn MoreHow is Hail Damage Repaired?
We repair auto hail damage entirely without traditional body filler or paint by using the paintless dent repair (PDR) technique. Depending on the location and depth of the dents, our master technicians use specialized tools and over 25 years of industry experience to restore your vehicle back to its factory pre-damaged condition.
What technique do you use to fix hail dents?
We use the paintless dent repair technique.
Is paintless dent repair the best way to fix hail damage?
Yes. PDR is the industry-standard method because it preserves your factory paint, maintains your car’s resale value, and gets you back on the road much faster than traditional body shop repairs.
How do you handle dents that are difficult to access?
Dents more difficult to access require the use of a dent removal tool that uses a gentle adhesive tab to pull the dent from the topside of the panel.
How do push rods work during the repair?
With the use of PDR tools that include a series of long metal push rods of varying sizes, a technician can carefully wedge between (or remove) the vehicles interior panels/moldings and the outer metal panel and gently push the dented area back to it’s original shape.
How do you restore the vehicle without damaging the paint?
By using a combination of these auto hail removal techniques and tools plus 25+ years of industry experience, our master team of technicians are able to restore the vehicle to its pre-damaged condition without damaging the paint.
Auto Hail Insurance Claims Guide
We repair auto hail damage entirely without traditional body filler or paint by using the =paintless dent repair (PDR) technique. Depending on the location and depth of the dents, our master technicians use specialized tools and over 25 years of industry experience to restore your vehicle back to its factory pre-damaged condition.
Does auto insurance cover hail damage?
Auto insurance will generally cover hail damage if you have comprehensive coverage as part of your policy but only before the haill damage was sustained.
What should I do if my car is damaged in a hail storm?
If you notice damage to your car after a hailstorm, it is best to report the claim to your insurance company as soon as possible.
Where can I find more information about filing a claim?
The process to file a hail claim is pretty standardized across all insurance companies. Visit your carrier’s website to get more carrier-specific information.
What is a comprehensive deductible and what is the average cost?
Comprehensive coverage usually comes with a deductible, the amount you’ll pay out of pocket before repairs begin. The average deductible cost for auto hail damage repair is $500. In most cases, The Hail Shop can take care of the cost of your deductible.
is it worth filing a hail damage claim?
If you already have full coverage or comprehensive coverage, are still paying off the vehicle, and the hail damage is more than a couple of dents and dings – yes. If you aren’t sure how much hail damage is on your vehicle, schedule a free inspection.
Hail Repair on Leased Vehicles
As a general rule, if you leased a vehicle (with the intent to buy it or not), you are responsible for the repairs beyond normal wear and tear. This must be taken care of before the leased vehicle is returned.
What insurance requirement do most car leases have?
With most car leases, the leaser will require that you get a comprehensive insurance policy for the life of the lease. This protects both you and the leaser the expense of repairing what could be a very large repair bill.
Why might hail damage be overlooked on a leased car?
Auto hail damage is often overlooked upon the delivery of a leased vehicle. Some hail damage might not be visible to the naked eye so if you have any suspicion of damage, schedule a free inspection at a local auto hail repair shop. Search Google for “auto hail repair near me” to find one in your area.
What should I do before returning my leased vehicle?
If you have a leased vehicle, and it is time to return it, make sure you allocate enough time to get the vehicle inspected for any body damage BEFORE you turn it in.
Will leasing companies charge for normal wear and tear?
If you return your leased vehicle and it has damage, as long it isn’t excessive damage, most leasing companies will not charge you for the repairs. Everyday ‘wear and tear’ is to be expected if you have been leasing a vehicle for a long-term duration. The ‘excessive’ body panel damage is what you need to be concerned about. If the dealership has to cover the damages, it could be costly.
Hail Damage on New Car
As a general rule, if you leased a vehicle (with the intent to buy it or not), you are responsible for the repairs beyond normal wear and tear. This must be taken care of before the leased vehicle is returned.
How do hail storms typically impact car dealerships?
Car dealerships tend to get pummeled by hail storms on a regular basis, especially if they are located within Hail Alley.
What is the very first step to take if your new car is damaged in a storm?
The first step to take if your new car has been damaged in a hail storm is to call your insurance company
What repair option is available for new car hail damage?
If you happen to be one of those unlucky new car owners that are dealing with hail damage, we can help and hopefully ease your mind. First of all, most hail damage does not cause paint damage. Because of this, paintless dent repair is an option.
How quickly should you take action after a storm?
You will need to file a hail claim to get the process started. The sooner you file a claim, the better.
How much does auto hail repair cost?
Auto hail repair costs can vary significantly depending on the severity of the storm and the extent of the damage to your vehicle.
The cost of auto hail repair depends on three main factors:
1) The location of the dent.
2) The size of the dent.
3) The amount of dents per panel.
A majority of the vehicles we repair carry a comprehensive insurance coverage policy. These costs to repair hail damage on these vehicles are paid for by the insurance company. Insurance companies use a matrix system to determine the cost to repair. You can see the State Farm PDR Cost Matrix here. The only expense to the vehicle owner is the deductible.
Total Loss Hail Claims
When a severe hailstorm strikes, the last thing you expect is for your insurance company to declare your vehicle a total loss—and then hand you a settlement offer that doesn’t even come close to what your car is actually worth on the open market. Unfortunately, insurance lowballs on hail total losses are more common than you think.
What happens when a vehicle is declared a total loss from hail?
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I’ve tried to negotiate but they won’t budge. Can a third party legally do this for me?
We specialize in reviewing insurance valuations, gathering accurate local comparables, and advocating on your behalf to ensure you get the maximum possible payout for your totaled hail damaged vehicle.
The payout settlement for the total loss claim seems low. What can I do?
If your insurance company’s total loss payout seems too low, you don’t have to just accept their first offer. Instead of trying to negotiate with adjusters on your own, let our experts handle the entire fight.
How long does it take to get a check for a total loss?
Insurance companies promise a check within a few days, but the reality is often weeks of stalling and lowball negotiations. We cuts through the red tape, getting your check to you faster, with less hassle, and for the full amount you deserve.
The Auto Hail Repair Process
Navigating your storm restoration seamlessly from claim to completion.
File Claim
Contact your insurance company to file a hail claim & then schedule an inspection with insurance adjuster.
Call The Hail Shop USA
We will schedule a time to repair your vehicle at a state-of-the-art paintless dent repair shop near you.
The Repair Process
The hail repair process takes approximately 3-5 business days. Once repaired, your vehicle is washed & detailed.
Lifetime Warranty
Upon final inspection, you will be given a written lifetime warranty. All paintless dent repairs are 100% guaranteed.
1. File a hail damage claim with your insurance company.
The first step in the hail damage repair process is to file a claim with your insurance company. The first way to file a claim is to call your insurance company. Your insurance card or paperwork should have this information. The phone number is usually on the back of the glovebox card. If you can’t find the phone number, you can visit this page to find claim numbers to most auto insurance providers. The second claim method would be to visit your insurance companies website and file a claim online. The links to these online filing web pages can be also found on this page.
You will need the following information when you file your claim:
- The date of the occurrence.
- The vehicle(s) that were damaged. It is helpful to have the vehicles make, model, year, and VIN just in case this information is requested.
- The insurance policy number and the name of the insured.
Once you file a claim, you’ll get a claim number that will help you track your claim. You will be assigned to a local claims adjuster. This is a good time to seek out a local paintless dent repair shop to get a repair estimate. A local claims adjuster will reach out to you and schedule a time to inspect the vehicle. The adjuster will determine whether your insurer will pay for repairs or if your car is totaled. A car is considered totaled if repair costs exceed its depreciated value.
2. Find a local paintless dent repair facility.
If you don’t already have a repair facility in mind, you can search google for “paintless dent repair shop near me” to find a reputable PDR shop in your area. Sometimes an estimate from a paintless dent repair facility will be enough and you will not need to meet with an adjuster. An inspection from a PDR shop will be much more comprehensive than the inspection from the adjuster. PDR shops have special lights designed specifically for locating even the smallest dents on a vehicle. If the PDR estimator finds additional hail damage that was not accounted for on the insurance adjusters estimate, the PDR shop will request a supplement to cover the cost of the additional damage.
3. The paintless dent repair process.
Finally, your vehicle will need to be scheduled for repairs. This is typically scheduled after the inspection by the PDR shop. With most insurance policies, a deductible will be need to be paid before repairs begin. Some PDR companies will cover the cost of the deductible. Once the deductible has been satisfied, your insurance company will mail a check to either you or the PDR shop to cover 1/2 of the repairs. Once the car is in for repairs, it will be reinspected and the dents will be repaired using the paintless dent repair technique. You can learn more about PDR here. A typical auto hail damage repair takes anywhere between 1-3 days to complete. Once the hail damage has been repaired, the unpaid balance will be mailed to cover the final bill.
4. Lifetime warranty for repairs.
Upon completion of the repair, you will receive a written lifetime warranty. Paintless dent repair is guaranteed and the dents will never return. The warranty will protect you from having to pay for any dent that might have been overlooked in the repair process. Read warranty here.