In June 2020, a hailstorm rolled through the front range. The intense storm set off national weather alerts and produced pea-sized to golf ball-sized hail stones. One storm even dropped up to 5.5-inch large pieces of hail in Castle Rock.
Even if you’ve only had quarter-sized hail stones in your area, it may still pose significant damage – small hailstones can actually reach speeds of 20 mph and usually come down in greater quantities than large hail, creating a higher risk for damage.
We have already seen extensive damage from the June 2020 storm to the tune of $7,000 to $8,000 in damage, and our customers showed us photos of the hail damage that was no larger than a grape.
If you were caught in that particular hailstorm, you might have wondered how you could fix all the dents and cracks or broken parts (windshields, taillights, etc.) and how much to fix hail damage on car.
Average Hail Damage Repair Cost
Based on our database, out of 700 cars StormWise fixed, the average cost is $9,000.
It could vary between $2,511 and $16,875, depending on the true extent of the damage.
We wrote an in-depth article explaining the ins and outs of a hail damage estimate. Click here to learn how hail damage is assessed on a car.
You can also get a free estimate using our auto hail repair cost calculator.
These hail damage repair costs don’t look pretty, so you may be wondering if the hail damage on your car may even be worth fixing.
Is It Worth Fixing Hail Damage On A Car?
Hail damage is complicated for several reasons. The storm is made up of heavy ice balls formed in the upper a
YES, definitely—and if you’re ready to get your car fixed, here are your dent repair options.
It may seem like you’re spending too much just to take care of cosmetic issues, but these seemingly minor damages can progress to more expensive repairs down the road.
There are three main reasons you should fix hail damage:
1. It will maintain your car’s value and keep factory paint warranty
2. If an accident happens, insurance won’t refuse payment because of pre-existing conditions
3. Avoiding further damages
How Much Does Hail Damage Devalue a Car?
If you’re wondering how much hail damage devalues a car, your vehicle’s overall value plummets significantly even if the damage is purely cosmetic. This is why it’s advisable to have a hail-damaged car repaired by a trusted PDR technician right away—it’s to preserve the vehicle’s value as well as the factory finish.
A few factors to look at to get a better understanding of how hail damage devalues your car:
- Does your car have any add-on components?
- How old is your car? (Mileage)
- What type of car do you have? What condition is it in?
No one wants their car’s value to drop significantly, so can you use your auto insurance to address the hail damage?
Will Auto Insurance Pay For Hail Damage Repair?
There is some good news: your auto insurance may have you covered – that is, if you have comprehensive coverage (NOT liability-only or collision insurance).
Comprehensive claims cover “Acts of Nature” and do not affect your rates whatsoever.
If you have full coverage, you’d likely have a comprehensive policy included, which means the damage can be fixed without increasing your insurance premiums.
Sometimes, the minor hail damage may not be enough to meet your deductible, while some severe hail damage can total even a brand-new car.
Can a totaled hail damage car still be saved? To determine whether the car can be repaired or totaled, make sure to talk to a professional hail repair company.
StormWise employs reputable and experienced paintless dent repair technicians that can talk you through your options and help file an insurance claim.
OUR 2-Cents on Insurance Coverage
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), Colorado had the second-highest number of hail claims in the US from 2016 to 2018.
If you live in Colorado Springs (or other cities in Colorado), it’s essential to have comprehensive coverage to prevent you from paying for hail damage.
Insurance companies sometimes prevent individuals from purchasing last-minute coverage right before a disastrous weather event is predicted to occur.
If you just moved to beautiful Colorado from another state and haven’t checked your auto insurance coverage for a long time, it’s a good idea to review it now.
About Hail Damage Insurance Statute of Limitations
If your vehicle has been damaged in a hailstorm, you should have it inspected and repaired immediately. Most insurance companies will have a statute of limitations for hail damage, so to take advantage of your auto insurance policy, have the vehicle inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
When you drive around with what the insurance company calls “unrepaired damage,” you’re already running a risk. If you get into an accident and your car is a total loss, the insurance can net off the amount of unrepaired damage that you have on the car, which would decrease the payout you would receive for the total loss.
This can be extremely disastrous if you owe more on the loan than what the insurance pays out to you! Even if you have “gap coverage” through your lienholder, that DOES NOT cover any difference in the insurance company’s payout due to unrepaired damage.
If you are to file a claim (perhaps for the hail damage from a recent hailstorm), keep in mind that your car won’t be the only one affected by the hailstorm. It may take longer than usual to process your insurance claim and repair your vehicle, but it’s more important than ever to act quickly to ensure you repair the damage quickly.
Quick Turnaround and Virtual Estimate at StormWise
Most hailstorms occur from May to July in Colorado but sometimes start early in April and can last until September.
When there’s a huge hailstorm, automotive body shops can get backed up for months! Not only will they have a waiting list, but the repair times will extend extensively.
The difference with StormWise is that 99% of the time, we can fix a car with paintless dent repair within two weeks* of the drop-off date, and we rarely operate on a waiting list for hail repair services.
Feel free to contact us today to learn more about what we can do for your hail-damaged car!
*Repair time depends on the amount of damage, the speed of the insurance in approving any estimates or supplements we may need to move forward, and whether or not there will be bodywork required. StormWise commits to giving every effort to getting cars in and out at the quickest and most efficient timeframe available.
