Hailstorms can wreak havoc on vehicles, leaving behind dents, cracks, and shattered glass. For car owners, assessing the extent of hail damage is crucial not only for repairs but also for insurance claims. The challenge lies in obtaining a reliable and accurate damage assessment report.
Understanding the types and sizes of hail damage, and how to detect them, is the first step in navigating the aftermath of a hailstorm. Let’s dive into how you can effectively assess hail damage on your car.
Initial Steps to Assess Hail Damage
If you want to start the process yourself to determine if hail damage repair through PDR is a right option for you, here’s a few tips.
Inspecting Your Car for Visible Dents
First things first, take a walk around your car. You’re looking for dents. If your car looks like a golf ball because of all the little dimples, you’ve found hail damage. Hailstones can range in size from tiny peas to grapefruits, so dents can vary. Pay close attention to the hood, roof, and trunk—these areas take the brunt of the hail hits. Roofs are notoriously difficult to fix so you’ll want to take note if there’s damage there. Take pictures to document the damage as it might come in handy if you want to file an insurance claim.
Check for Glass and Paint Damage
Look for any cracks or chips in your windshield, side windows, and rear window. Even small cracks can spread over time, turning into a bigger issue. Also, examine your car’s paint job closely. Hail can do a number on your paint by chipping it off or causing scratches. If you notice any paint damage, you need to call a professional to do an assessment. This likely means the storm was severe enough that getting a pro’s opinion will help speed up any claims with insurance.
What to do next
Knowing these types helps you assess the damage correctly and decide your next move. If you’ve done your walkaround and think you have hail damage, it’s time to call Nexterra. We work with you and your Insurance company to help get the cost of hail damage repair covered and your car back on the road.
Every repair starts off with an estimate, which one of our expert technicians will do within 48 hours of your insurance contacting us. We will drive to your home or place of business, use special tools like a light wand, and our trained eye to get the most accurate assessment possible. We’ll send this off to your insurance and help get you coordinated with a rental car if the damage is bad enough.
Once your claim is approved, you’ll call us back and we will schedule your final repair. Again, more often than not we will come to your home or place of business. The exception is during larger storms, where an entire city is affected. If that happens, we’ll set-up shop in an area where you can come and get a drive through repair completed.
Accurately assessing hail damage on a car is crucial for maintaining its value and ensuring proper repairs. Leveraging advanced technology and professional assessment services like Nexterra can streamline the process and improve documentation for insurance claims. Addressing hail damage promptly with methods like Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) can prevent further deterioration and save on repair costs. Navigating insurance claims effectively requires attention to detail and proactive negotiation to secure comprehensive coverage. By following these guidelines, vehicle owners like you can efficiently manage hail damage and maintain your car’s integrity.
