What Should You Do if Hail Damages Your Car?

Australia is no stranger to nasty hailstorms as they are part and parcel of the unpredictable climate. If you’ve been caught out in such conditions, you’ll have witnessed firsthand the damage hail can cause to your vehicle. When that happens, it may catch you off guard and leave you wondering what to do with your hail storm-affected cars. If that’s the case, this step-by-step guide can help you.

The first action you should take is to assess the extent of damage and document it. This is important because exposure to hail, even for a short time, can result in significant damage. Pull out your video camera or phone and take several photos from various angles. These will prove necessary as references for insurance purposes. Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk shop.

Repairs for hail-damaged cars can easily run into thousands, so you’ll want to contact insurance companies as soon as possible. If the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle’s value, it may be written off. Nevertheless, knowing what to do if your car gets hail damage is very handy. It prepares you for such an eventuality and helps you take the right steps.

The diverse and extreme changes in weather patterns present unique challenges for car owners. The climate can take a heavy toll on your vehicle’s health, from scorching summers to thunderstorms. You’ll be surprised to see how many cars end up in auto shops after being on the receiving end of a hailstorm.

Vehicle hail damage varies significantly from minor dents to severely deformed panels. Although cosmetic damage is the most common, like dings, dents and paint chips, hailstones may break windshields too. It all depends on the size and severity of the hailstones. For instance, smaller stones, with a diameter of less than 1 inch, may only cause a few scratches or dents. Conversely, larger stones can cause considerable damage to your car, including:

Not only does hail cause cosmetic damage, but it also affects your car’s structural integrity. In extreme cases, they can break through the bonnet, dent fan blades, radiator fins, and even fracture the engine block. That’s why it’s dangerous to drive hail-affected cars without fixing the damage first.

Automotive hail damage is something you don’t encounter frequently. Hence, most car owners are unsure how to approach the situation and begin worrying about whether hail damage is expensive to repair. The restoration process for car dents from hail storms doesn’t have to be costly, especially with the available technology like Paintless Dent Removal (PDR).

That being said, you shouldn’t underestimate the extent of damage and should always get a quote before committing. Light vehicle hail damage is still devastating and can be quite expensive to repair. Thousands of dollars in damage is common, even when you can barely see it. The factors that affect the cost, include:

You may think there’s no need to worry about small dents and keep on driving your car. Only the cosmetic damage is visible to the naked eye and doesn’t usually affect a car’s driveability. However, without proper inspection, you might overlook the severity of the case and worsen the damage. So, it’s better to let trained mechanics examine your car to identify broken parts which may be hard to see otherwise.

The short answer is yes. It’s better to mend hail storm dents on your car if you don’t want to affect its resale value. Not repairing cosmetic or structural damage in time can lead to several issues like dented panels or corrosion. For example, chips in the windshield may cause the glass to shatter, posing a risk for the driver and occupants.

After particularly destructive hailstorms, many damaged cars are written off and usually scrapped for recyclable metals and parts. Some of these vehicles may be sold at dramatically reduced prices too. In such cases, you may consider buying a used car with hail damage at lower rates if fixing the damage is not as challenging. However, before you buy, check the cost of repairs before purchasing it. Furthermore, ensure it’s mechanically sound and no internal damage exists to avoid expensive repairs down the line.

Most vehicle owners wonder whether hail damage is covered by comprehensive car insurance. Typically, many companies do cover hail damage in their insurance scheme but sometimes the repair costs and claims do not align. In such cases, working with a speciality auto repair shop that offers insurance claim services is imperative.

Prevention is better than cure, the adage goes, and it’s true for almost everything. Protecting your car from hail damage is much easier and less costly than getting repairs. So, how to avoid hail damage to your car? Well, there’s quite a few precautionary measures you can take. Websites like VicEmergency can help you prepare for a storm and give you time to park your vehicle in a secured carport or garage.

Some other ways that can help in preventing hail damage to your car are:

One of the popular methods for repairing minor dents and dings is Paintless Dent Repair (PDR). Mechanics use special tools to pull the dent out from the inside of the car body, without the need for repainting. Compared to traditional methods, PDR is less invasive and can be done in a few hours. Although it’s the easiest and fastest way to restore hail storm-affected cars, the cost will vary depending on the level of damage.

Are you worried about your car being damaged by hail storms? We hope you’ll find some helpful and effective solutions in this article. Moreover, the easiest way to repair your hail-damaged car is to get it evaluated by our experts. Precise Smash Repairs offers all kinds of dent repairs caused by hail. Moreover, we provide spray painting and panel beating services as well. To get started, you should call us on 03 9354 6533 or drop us an email at info@precisesmashrepairs.com.au and get a quote today.