Hail vs. Glass: What to Do When Your Windshield and Body are Both Hit

When a severe hailstorm hits in 2026, it doesn't always play fair. While most people expect the dimples and dings on their hood, many are shocked to find their windshield spiderwebbed or their sunroof completely shattered.

The immediate reaction for most car owners is panic: "Do I need to go to a glass shop AND a body shop? Will this be two separate insurance claims? How many deductibles am I going to have to pay?"

At Express Hail Repair, we specialize in "Total Vehicle Restoration." We believe that recovering from a storm shouldn't be a multi-stop logistical nightmare. Here is how we handle the combined damage of hail and glass to get you back on the road with zero stress.

1. The Power of the Single Claim

One of the biggest misconceptions in 2026 is that glass and bodywork are separate insurance incidents. If both were caused by the same storm, they belong on the same claim. If you take your car to a glass-only chain, they will process a glass claim. If you then take your car to a body shop, you might be forced into a second claim. This can lead to paying two separate deductibles. At Express Hail Repair, we reach out to your insurance company and file one comprehensive claim for you. By grouping the glass and the hail together, we ensure you only ever deal with one claim number and one point of contact.

2. One Stop, Zero Hassle: Coordinating the Fix

Why spend your Saturday driving between different repair shops? We are your one-stop solution. While our elite PDR technicians are massaging the dents out of your roof and hood, we coordinate the professional replacement of your windshield, sunroof, or side glass.

We use high-quality OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass to ensure that your vehicle's structural integrity remains at factory standards. By viewing our full-service repair options, you can see how we manage the entire restoration under one roof.

3. Protecting Your ADAS Sensors

In 2026, a windshield is more than just glass—it’s a housing unit for your car’s "eyes." Most modern vehicles have cameras and sensors (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) mounted directly to the windshield. If these aren't handled correctly during a glass replacement, your lane-keep assist and emergency braking could fail.

Because we understand the advanced technology in modern cars, we ensure that every glass replacement is followed by a precision recalibration. We don't just "swap the glass"; we ensure the car’s brain is still functioning perfectly.

4. The Express Financial Advantage: We Pay Your Deductible

Replacing a windshield and fixing 500 hail dents can easily cost upwards of $5,000. For most people, the deductible alone is a major hurdle. At Express Hail Repair, we often pay your deductible for you. Whether the damage is just metal or a mix of metal and glass, our goal is to get your car back to pre-storm condition with $0 out-of-pocket from you. We handle the paperwork, we negotiate with the adjuster, and we provide you with a 30-minute custom estimate that covers every square inch of the vehicle.

5. Total Mobility: Our Avis Partnership

If your windshield is shattered, your car isn't just ugly—it’s illegal and dangerous to drive. You need a solution now.

The moment you bring your car to an Express Pro-Shop, our partnership with Avis kicks into gear. We don't leave you stranded or waiting for an Uber. We schedule your rental car immediately, ensuring you have a safe, clean vehicle to drive while we restore yours. This level of service is what separates us from the "storm chasers" who only care about the easy dents.

6. A Lifetime Warranty on Everything

We don't just stand behind our dent repair; we stand behind the entire restoration. Our Nationwide Lifetime Warranty covers our workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle. If you move to a different state and notice a leak in the seal or an issue with the repair, we will pay for a licensed shop of your choice to fix it. That is the "Express" promise of quality.

Conclusion: Don't Piece Together a Repair

A hailstorm is a single event; your repair should be a single process. By choosing Express Hail Repair, you get a 30-minute custom estimate, a dedicated rental through Avis, and a team that handles the glass, the metal, and the insurance company for you.

Don't drive with a cracked windshield another day. Calculate your total damage online and let us take the burden off your shoulders. For more on the safety standards of modern auto glass, visit the National Auto Body Council.