What to Do After a Hailstorm Damages Your Car
Minnesota spring and summer storms can produce hail large enough to leave dents across your vehicle in a matter of minutes. After a storm, you may notice dimples on the hood, roof, trunk, doors, or other body panels. Even if the damage isn't immediately obvious, having your vehicle inspected can help identify hail damage before it becomes a bigger concern.
Inspect Your Vehicle After the Storm
Start by looking over your vehicle in good lighting. Hail damage often appears as small, round dents across horizontal panels such as the hood and roof. Check the trunk, doors, fenders, and quarter panels as well.
Some dents can be difficult to see depending on the vehicle's color and lighting conditions. A professional auto hail damage inspection can provide a more accurate assessment of the damage.
Document the Damage
Take photos of the vehicle and the surrounding area after the storm. Photograph individual dents as well as wider images showing the overall condition of the vehicle. This documentation may be useful when communicating with your insurance provider about a potential hail damage claim.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
Hail damage is commonly handled through comprehensive auto insurance coverage, although policies and deductibles vary. Your insurance company can explain your coverage and the steps required to file a claim.
A professional dent repair shop can also provide an estimate and documentation detailing the damage to your vehicle.
Consider Paintless Dent Repair
Many hail-damaged vehicles can be repaired using paintless dent repair (PDR). PDR allows technicians to carefully reshape the damaged metal from behind the panel without sanding, filling, or repainting when the factory finish remains intact.
This can be particularly useful when a storm leaves numerous dents across multiple panels.
Get Your Vehicle Professionally Inspected
Not every hail dent requires the same repair method. The severity of the damage, condition of the paint, depth of the dents, and accessibility of the panels all affect whether PDR is appropriate.
One Up Dent Repair provides auto hail damage repair in White Bear Lake, St. Paul, and throughout the Twin Cities East Metro. If your vehicle was caught in a recent Minnesota hailstorm, contact us to schedule an inspection and learn about your repair options.