You never thought it would happen to you…but it did. The night after a random hail storm, you found your car looking like Swiss cheese.
If you live in the Aurora area, you are no stranger to the golf ball sized hail that rains down from the sky in icy terror. And these same terror-balls can quickly take your car from fresh off the lot to total loss in a single stormy night.
But all is not lost…yet.
Two weeks ago, a hail storm hit north-east Aurora. If your car was damaged in that storm, you need to find an auto hail repair shop you trust. But buyer beware, all auto hail repair teams aren’t created equal. Use the questions below to find the best auto hail repair service in Aurora.
Question #1: What type of dent repair should I be looking for?
The most obvious damage from a hail storm is dents. So, the first thing to understand when considering professional dent removal services is the kind of repair that provides the best results. There are two main methods of hail repair:
- The conventional method
- The paintless dent repair method (PDR)
The conventional method involves sanding down the paint on your car, removing the dent through a series of pulling and pounding techniques. Once the car is restored to its previous state, a filler is used to level out any imperfections before sanding and painting again.
This method is best for very large dents but can be very costly. Because of the steps necessary to complete, it’ll take a few weeks or longer before you get your car back. In the end, you pay for the service, the paint job, and any other parts that need to be ordered/replaced.
The paintless dent repair (PDR) method is called such because the method does not require sanding and repainting. To remove hail damage, PDR technicians use a technique that pops out the dent in the metal framework without needing to damage the paint.
You can view before and after photos of the PDR method here.
Because it’s a specialized service, most auto body shops aren’t equipped to perform PDR with accuracy. It gets tricky working with certain car models as well as trucks or vehicles with aluminum panels.
The benefit of the PDR technique is that it’s relatively inexpensive compared to the conventional method. Depending on the extent of the damage and the location of the dents, you won’t need repainting or long turnaround times.
One drawback is that PDR can’t be performed on all areas of the vehicle and is best for small dents. PDR also works best as long as the paint isn’t damaged.
2. What’s the business’s track record?
PDR is a relatively new technique that has become a hot business opportunity, especially in areas frequented by hail storms like Texas and Colorado. Unfortunately, like all hot business opportunities, it also attracts scammers.
This leads us to our question number 2: what is the track record of the hail damage repair shop?
Any business you work with should be able to provide you with a professional business card, an address for their physical location, and proof of insurance license in case something happens during the repair process.
You should also call the phone number listed on their information to see if someone actually picks up or if they’ll return your call.
Beware of anyone that offers cash-only deals, functions out of a popup tent, or offers cheap or quick fixes. PDR is time-consuming and if not done properly can cause more damage to your car and your paint.
Having a professional online presence that includes online reviews, a responsive and user-friendly website, and a professional social media persona are all good indicators that the company is a legitimate establishment.
3. Is the Auto Hail Repair Shop Certified & Insured?
A professional company will be able to explain the full process of auto hail damage repair to you and answer any questions you have.
Reputable repair shops will often back up their work with a 100% lifetime satisfaction guarantee.
This ensures you that when you leave their business, the repaired dented area won’t come back in the lifetime that you own the vehicle.
You also want to ask for insurance and certifications. Uninsured shops may disqualify you from receiving a benefit from your own insurance. In the event that this shop damages your care further, you’ll be on the hook for paying the full amount for repairs. Hail damage can quickly add up to cost more than it’s worth to repair.
4. How will you get around while your car is being repaired?
Finally, no one wants to be living without a car while their car is being fixed. Auto hail repair can take a few weeks if your insurance is swamped with hail claims. Vehicle accommodations while you wait is a sign of a successful repair shop.
Other perks to look for are:
- Washing and detailing
- Valet services
- Rental coverage if your insurance doesn’t have one
- Transparent communication
- Great customer service
At StormWise, we offer all of those (plus some more) for qualified auto hail damage repair.
Final Things to Remember
The most important thing to remember is to do your research. Understand what good hail damage repair looks like. The team you work with should be fully insured and have evidence to back up their service.
StormWise is a trusted industry leader in Car Hail Damage Repair and Paintless Dent Repair. We’ve been around for more than 10 years repairing hail damage all across Colorado and 20+ years in PDR. We’ve served thousands of satisfied customers and have the 5-star reviews to back it up.
Looking for hail damage repair in Aurora, Colorado and the surrounding areas? Contact us today to find a specialized shop near you.
