Hail Damage Repair

Hail Damage Car Repair - I've Been Hit with Hail, Now What?

Hail can easily damage a vehicle that is left in the elements during a bad storm. If a storm pops up while away from your garage, or, you leave your car parked on the street, you can end up with hail damage.

Hail dents can affect the resale value of your vehicle, and larger dings can be unsightly to a proud vehicle owner. Hail of any size can cause damage to your vehicle, but it's hail measuring at least one inch in diameter that causes the biggest damage.

Dents are the most common form of hail damage. Hail can also scrape against body panels, causing chips or scratches on your paint. A major hails storm can also crack your glass, mirrors or lights.

If your car is damaged by hail, it is not recommended to repair the damage yourself. Vehicle owners may be tempted to try DIY techniques, including sun exposure, hair dryers or even dry ice but these techniques can cause more harm than good.

It is best to leave hail damage car repair to a professional.

If your car is caught up in a hailstorm Dent Wizard can help. Our expert technicians provide industry-leading hail damage repair services to restore your vehicle to its pre-storm condition.

How Do I Repair Hail Damage To My Vehicle?

Dent Wizard completes hail damage repairs at partner dealerships located throughout the country. Here's how it works:

  1. Contact your auto insurance provider to see if hail damage repair is covered. Typically, comprehensive insurance includes coverage for hail damage, but every insurance company handles hail claims differently. Follow up with your insurance agent if you do not know how to file a claim.
  2. File an insurance claim with your provider. Get your vehicle's damage appraised through your insurance agency's claim drive or field inspection. Dent Wizard can also provide a damage appraisal as a direct repair program.
  3. Make sure the exterior of your vehicle is clean. This will ensure an accurate estimate is given. Repair costs vary based on the extent of hail damage.
  4. Tell your adjuster that Dent Wizard is your repair shop of choice.
  5. If Dent Wizard is writing your estimate, our customer care center will assist you in getting an appointment scheduled (800-969-4245 (HAIL)).
  6. Schedule your hail repair at the nearest Dent Wizard Facility.
  7. Pay your insurance payment and deductible. Dent Wizard provides a limited lifetime warranty for your hail damage repair.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hail Damage Repair

You may have many questions about the hail repair process. Below are some of the most common questions customers have about hail damage repair. For further questions or clarifications, call 800-969-4245 (HAIL) and we will be happy to assist you!

HOW LONG DOES A HAIL DAMAGE ESTIMATE TAKE?

A standard hail repair estimate requires 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, the estimator follows a systematic format. Your adjuster will identify the severity and quantity of dents on all body panels. The estimator will take this time to answer any questions you may have about the repair and gather information about your vehicle.

WHY IS A CLEAN VEHICLE IMPORTANT FOR A HAIL REPAIR ESTIMATE?

A clean vehicle allows the estimator to clearly see all visible hail damage. Dust and dirt can often mask damage. This causes inaccurate estimates and delays in the repair process.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE HAIL REPAIR ESTIMATE PROCESS?

During the estimate process, your estimator and/or the Dent Wizard representative will greet you and will drive the vehicle into the estimating bay. Then, they appraise the vehicle, taking record of the scope of the hail damage. Here, the severity and quantity of dents is assessed.

Once the estimate is finalized and reviewed with you, you will be provided a printed copy.

WHAT DOES PRE-LOSS CONDITION MEAN?

During the hail estimate process, any non-hail damage is noted. The condition of the car, including this damage, is considered the pre-loss condition of the vehicle. Any damage not caused by hail will not be covered.

At the time of the estimate, photos will be taken of the vehicle. Any of these conditions will be noted in the estimate.

HOW DO I SCHEDULE MY VEHICLE FOR HAIL REPAIR?

At the time of your estimate, you will be asked when you would like to schedule your repairs. Be aware that there are many people just like you after a large storm. Depending on the number of claims in your area, it could be several weeks before your repair can be scheduled.

WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO REPAIR HAIL DAMAGE? 

If a supplement is required, it may extend the time needed to repair your vehicle. The supplement will be explained to the customer along with an adjusted pick up date.

Depending on the severity of your vehicle's hail damage, Dent Wizard can provide two types of repairs on your vehicle.

Paintless Dent Repair: The first method of hail damage repair is to completely repair your vehicle utilizing the Dent Wizard Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) process. From drop off to pick up, repairing hail damage with PDR normally takes a few days to complete.

PDR + Conventional Repairs: The second involves the use of both the PDR process and conventional body shop repairs. This process is referred to as a Combination Repair. The time frame for this type of repair may take several days or longer depending on the severity of hail damage.

Dent Wizard will work with you to determine your repair time following your estimate. If you are uncertain of your availability at the time of the estimate, Dent Wizard can have a Customer Service Representative follow up with you within 48 hours to schedule the repair. Customers can also schedule a repair through the Customer Care Center by calling 1-800-969-4245.

HOW LONG DOES HAIL DAMAGE REPAIR TAKE?

Depending on the severity of the storm and the damage on your vehicle, repair times can vary. For light to moderate hail damage repairs, it may take 1 to 3 days. For severe damage that needs body shop participation for panel replacement and paint work, repairs may take 2 to 3 weeks.

WHAT IS A SUPPLEMENT? 

Supplements are additional operations or parts necessary to complete your repair. These often go beyond the original estimate. In some cases, the original estimate is insufficient to perform the repairs.

When a vehicle is dropped off for repairs, a second inspection is done to determine if all the damage was documented for repair. If all damage was found and written on the original estimate, no supplement is needed. If some damage was overlooked on the original estimate, a “supplement” is needed to document the necessary operations or parts needed to properly repair the hail damage.

If a supplement is required, it may extend the time needed to repair your vehicle. The supplement will be explained to the customer along with an adjusted pick up date.

HOW DOES PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR (PDR) FIX HAIL DAMAGE?

Paintless Dent Repair is a specialized, meticulous process for returning dents to their original shape without having to paint any part of the vehicle.

The PDR process requires the technician to push and massage each dent in a very technical and precise manner. To do this, each dent is worked back to its original shape using metal rods varying in size and shape. The dents are worked from the underside of the metal using access points on each panel. The result is a dent-free vehicle where the finished metal looks like it came from the factory.

WHAT IS CONVENTIONAL BODY REPAIR?

Conventional body repair often replaces the panels on a car or truck and requires painting to match the factory finish. In some cases, hail damage is so severe that conventional body shop methods are necessary to repair panels. If there are too many dents or too many large dents, a panel may not be able to be repaired with PDR.

WHAT DOES R&I MEAN?

R&I is an acronym that stands for Remove and Install. When a car starts the repair process, an R&I technician loosens, and sometimes removes, the interior panels and parts. This allows access to the underside of the metal panel. When the PDR repairs get completed, the technician replaces the parts and re-installs the interior panels (like the headliner and hood liner).

Dent Wizard has a Quality Control Process to ensure that all parts are replaced properly. This means your vehicle is returned to you in the same condition as we received it.

HAIL REPAIR TERMS TO KNOW

By now, you should know everything you need about filing a hail damage insurance claim and scheduling a repair with Dent Wizard. To recap, here are some terms that will help you fully understand the repair process:

  • Pre-loss condition – The condition of a vehicle prior to hail damage including damage not caused by the hailstorm.
  • Supplement – Additional operations, parts or repair needs necessary to complete the repair of the vehicle above the original estimate.
  • PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) - A specialized and meticulous process returning dents to their original shape without having to replace or repair the metal surface.
  • Conventional body repair - Using traditional body shop actions to replace or repair metal panels.
  • R&I – This is an acronym that stands for “remove and install.”

If your car has been hit with hail, Dent Wizard's technicians can help. Dent Wizard is here to help return your car to its factory appearance. To learn more about our hail damage repair process, get in touch with a local hail representative by calling 1-800-969-HAIL (1-800-969-4245) or filling out this form.

Catastrophe Response

To combat the aftereffects of a hail storm, Dent Wizard has a large and experience hail catastrophe team ready to restore large quantities of hail damaged vehicles to their pre-storm condition. To learn more, please contact Will Kodrowsky at 412-867-5743 or william.kodrwosky@dentwizard.com or Randy Sheridan at 314-707-9220, randy.sheridan@dentwizard.com.

Request Service for Hail Damage

Dent Wizard technicians perform repairs on-site at dealerships throughout the US and Canada.

Request service

Appointment must be made by calling
800-969-HAIL.