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The Step-by-Step Guide to Auto Hail Damage Repair

When Mother Nature wreaks havoc on your vehicle, click here to explore the step-by-step process of auto hail damage repair.

The National Weather Service reported over 4,000 "hail events" in the U.S. last year. The numbers are going up all the time, and hail can have a dramatic impact on whole regions. If such damage occurs to your vehicle, would you know what you would need to do next?

This article will explain what you need to do to receive auto hail damage repair. It will demand that you take action to ensure you receive the highest level of insurance payout, as well as how to get the best vehicle service possible.

Self-Assessment of the Vehicle

Start the process by inspecting the vehicle yourself. Make sure to do this in good lighting conditions so you do not miss any possible scratch, scrape or dent. Better lighting will also make it easier to see how the light bends on the vehicle's exterior and thus if any lighter harm exists.

Write down all the damage that has occurred and photograph it. This will include:

  • Damage to any body panels
  • Chips or cracks in the windscreen or windows
  • Chips or cracks in the mirrors
  • Internal damage due to water
  • Rips in cloth coverings

You will use all this information later when submitting an insurance claim. As such, keep it in a safe space, and make digital backups.

Connecting With an Auto Repair Shop

Make sure to research different auto repair locations to find those who specialize in hail damage. You will want to find one with a positive track record, so check out online reviews and ask peers who have needed similar in the past.

When you have a shortlist, get in contact with each hail repair center to discuss your situation. They will be able to give you more details on their specific process and offer you an estimate of what their services cost. Of course, you will want to ensure they have the expertise in car hail damage repair you need before you visit, so ask questions beforehand.

Also, check with them to find out more about how they handle car insurance and what you might need to do to ensure coverage.

Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage

Car hail damage can often come with a significant cost, and as such you should understand what your insurance will cover. While most policies will cover hail repair, it is prudent to check this yourself.

Either go over your insurance policy terms with a fine-toothed comb or reach out to your insurer and ask them for these details. They will also have the information available to inform you if you need to pay a deductible or other fees before they cover you too.

In-Shop Appraisal

When you have booked an auto repair appraisal, take your vehicle in and allow the experts to look over the details. They may find things you did not see the first time.

During this assessment, they can document every issue in meticulous detail. They will then end the appraisal by giving you an estimate of how much the repairs will cost, as well as a breakdown of what they will entail.

You can take this summary to your insurance broker, who can then tell you how much they are willing to cover. Depending on who you choose for an auto repair, the garage may even wish to cover your deductible.

Process 1: Paintless Dent Repair

Technicians will be able to inform you if your vehicle is suited for paintless dent repair (PDR). This will more often than not be the case if the dents are small-to-medium sized.

They will gain access to body panels affected by car hail damage by either removing the panels or using special tools. They can then massage any dent back to its original shape. This should not cause further complications, and you should get the vehicle back close to good-as-new.

Process 2: Bodywork Repair or Replacement

If there is severe hail damage on the car, the auto shop might need to disassemble damaged parts and either repair or replace them. Using specialist tools, they will remove your vehicle's paneling and then either use body filler to fill holes or swap out the entire panel. No matter which they choose, they will ensure the final color matches the rest of the vehicle.

Process 3: Windshield and Mirror Restoration

After appraisals, the auto shop will repair your vehicle's glass by either replacing it or using a transparent resin. Which they choose will depend on the extent of the damage.

If using the resin, they will start this process by cleaning the affected area. They can then inject resin into cracks or chips to fill in these areas, using special tools to ensure it is smooth.

As UV light causes the resin to harden, the repair team will then flood the affected area with this energy, ensuring the injected material sets.

Rigorous Quality Checks

Hail dents can sometimes be hard to repair and hard to spot. Before releasing the vehicle to you, the repair shop will ensure their work meets their exacting standards. This might include paint colors and finishes, alignment of panels, and the ongoing function of vehicle components.

You should receive the results of this as a document, so you can return at a later time if you need to discuss specific issues.

Repair Guarantees

You want to ensure any repair shop you work with guarantees their work. For example, some of the best locations offer a lifetime warranty.

When you leave, check the details of this warranty, and find out what will void it to ensure you keep the vehicle in its best condition.

Finding an Auto Hail Damage Repair Service

With the above, you should now have a much more comprehensive idea of what auto hail damage repair entails. As such, you likely want to ensure you are working with the best repair team possible, and this is where we come in.

Our specialists can talk to you about your vehicle, what occurred, and what we can do for you to get it back as close to new as possible. So, run through our repair estimate process and a Free Three-Minute Estimate to learn more about how we can help you today.

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Team member using specialized tools to work on dent repair on a bright orange 4-door sedan

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