Weather is often unexpected, and hail, in particular, can appear seemingly out of nowhere. Frozen precipitation falls at different rates, shapes, and sizes, causing distinct damage to an exposed car. When the hail has passed, and you can safely examine your car, it is suggested that you take it to a specialized auto hail repair company to have the damage assessed. They will check for the following signs of hail damage: dents on the hood, doors, sides, or trunk of the vehicle, cracked or broken windshield, backglass, windows, or mirrors, and mirrors that are missing or misaligned.
If you suspect that you have hail damage, you can have a local repair company examine your vehicle. A widespread misunderstanding is that hail causes chips in a windshield. Hail will shatter the glass rather than damage it, and the small chips you see were most likely produced by pebbles or road debris and went undetected. Because hail has so many variables, damage to one vehicle may appear quite different from damage to another car one or two streets over. Due to storm and wind patterns, one side of the car is usually severely destroyed while the other is just slightly damaged. Almost every time, the roof is the worst damaged part on the main vehicle, yet you might not spot it right away. Hail damage can vary from small dents to major panel and glass replacement. Due to the degree of the damage, a car can sometimes be declared a complete loss.
Don’t panic unnecessarily, though. In many cases, if you bring your car to an expert, you will receive the help you need to get the vehicle back on the road and repairs carried out that simply can’t be seen once the work is done – no one will ever know there was damage to begin with. With that in mind, here are some of the things you should do if your car is damaged by hail.
File An Insurance Claim
Most hail damage is going to be worth filing an insurance claim over, even when the damage appears “minor”. Additionally, a lot of people don’t know that your insurance premiums won’t rise due to hail damage repairbecause that kind of weather damage is out of your control.
The only cost you may need to cover is your deductible and many reputable repair specialist have deductible coverage offers. To decide for yourself what to do in this situation, it’s wise to get a hail damage car repair estimate. In that way, you’ll have all the information you need to make the right choice.
Some hail damage can be repaired using PDR (Paintless Dent Removal), which can be less expensive than traditional body repairs with paint. If the damage is minor, the repair cost may be close to or less than your deductible. To help you in making a choice, any respectable repair shop can take a brief look at your car and estimate if the cost will be close or over your deductible. If you are uncertain whether you should file a claim on the day it hails, talk to the auto shop and get all the information you need
Of course, waiting too long to file a claim can be problematic in itself, as there is often a time limit associated with this kind of insurance claim. Make sure that, if you’re not sure whether to claim immediately but you might in the future, you know exactly how long you have from the date the damage was done.
Will A Hail Insurance Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?
Hail coverage and its impact on rates will usually vary depending on the provider and state regulations. Acts of nature, in general, are filed under the comprehensive part of the policy and will not have a negative effect on your insurance premiums. Even if your rates do not increase as a result of a single claim, the number of claims made against your policy may still impact your rates if you are considered to be a greater risk as a result of the number or frequency of claims. It is always advisable to consult with your agent or insurance provider for the most up-to-date information.
Is Hail Coverage Included In My Insurance Policy?
If you have comprehensive coverage on your car, hail damage should be covered. Comprehensive coverage, often known as ‘other than collision’, covers natural disasters as well as vandalism and theft. It is always advisable to address any insurance-related concerns with your agent and carrier to ensure you have enough coverage.
How To Prevent Hail Damage
As previously said, hail can often be unexpected and come in quickly and with little notice. Here are some measures you may do to avoid hail damage:
- Enable alerts on your weather app to get notifications when severe weather is approaching.
- If you expect inclement weather, try to park in a garage or covered location. Stop beneath an overpass or drive into a covered gas station if you’re on the road when the hail starts.
- If you don’t have shelter, consider buying a hail protection blanket. This may not be entirely effective, but it will help to minimize the damage. As a fast alternative, utilize your vehicle’s floor mats; this will be especially helpful for preserving the windshield.
What Is The Procedure For Repairing Hail Damage?
As previously stated, hail (or other damage) can be repaired using PDR. This technique works well for dents and dings that haven’t damaged the paint on the car, aren’t on a body line (manufacturer crease), and aren’t too sharp or deep. PDR necessitates the use of a specially designed tool to massage the metal from the rear forward, reshaping it while keeping the paint untouched. When the damage is too extensive for PDR, a traditional body restoration technique is utilized to reshape the metal, fill, prime, and refinish the damaged area. A professional repair company will be able to advise you on the best repair technique for your damages.