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Category: Hail Damage Car Blog

We’re here to help you learn how to get the best auto hail damage repair.
Because let’s face it, we can’t live without our cars (not easily at least).

Car Hail Damage Repair Cost [With Real Examples]

Hail damage repair for cars can get really expensive. While most articles mention costs ranging from $750 to $3,000, the reality is often much higher because we’re usually dealing with hundreds of dents. At StormWise, we’re the only brand that discloses the real costs for car hail repair, and based on the thousands of cars we’ve fixed in the past three years, the average cost is about $6,750. The range can be anywhere from $4,000 to as high as $15,000. But here’s what most people don’t know: on average, we charge $0 for the repair. In this article, we’ll explain the factors that affect the cost and, more importantly, how you can get your car fixed with paying $0 out of pocket. Key Factors Affecting Hail Damage Repair Costs The cost of hail damage repair depends on a few factors: Dent Size and Count The size and number of dents affect the cost of hail damage repair. Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) uses a pricing matrix based on dent size (like dime, nickel, quarter, or half-dollar) and dent quantity (mild: 6-15 dents, moderate: 16-30 dents). For example, 10 dime-sized dents on a hood might cost around $150. But if there were 20 quarter-sized dents, the cost would increase to about $225 due to the larger size and higher number of dents. For a more detailed breakdown of how PDR costs are calculated, here’s an in-depth look into the PDR pricing matrix. Panel Material Hail repair costs also depend on the complexity of the panel material. Aluminum, for example, is harder to repair than steel because it lacks “metal memory,” meaning it doesn’t easily return to its original shape after a dent. As a result, aluminum panels can cost up to 25% more to fix, requiring specialized tools and techniques. This adds to the repair cost and demands greater skill from the technician. Paint Damage and Severity Beyond the number, size, and material, hail repair costs also depend on the severity of the damage and the methods needed. Severe damage, like cracked or chipped paint, can significantly raise costs. For example, deep dents that break through the paint may require both dent removal and repainting, increasing the expense. Minor touch-ups might cost around $50, while a full car respray for severe damage can reach up to $5,000. Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) vs. Traditional Repair Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is usually the most budget-friendly choice for fixing minor dents that haven’t cracked the paint. You can expect to pay between $50 and $200 per dent, depending on the size and how many there are. If there’s paint damage or if the dents are too large for PDR, traditional repair methods will be necessary. These can cost between $500 and $1,500 per panel, with prices going up based on how severe the damage is. Insurance Coverage Most comprehensive car insurance policies cover hail damage because it’s considered an “act of nature.” This means you usually won’t see your premiums go up if you file a claim. Just keep in mind that you need a comprehensive policy—liability-only or collision insurance won’t cut it. With comprehensive insurance, repairs for hail damage won’t affect your rates, but it’s best to act quickly after a storm to prevent any further issues. StormWise can help by working directly with insurance companies to make sure all your repair costs are covered, including any deductibles you might have. Severe hailstorms, like those that hit Colorado, can really cause a lot of damage, with repair bills ranging from $3,000 to over $15,000. Even smaller hailstones can lead to damage that meets or exceeds your deductible, which often means insurance will cover the full repair cost if the damage is significant. Don’t wait too long to get those repairs done. Driving around with unrepaired hail damage can hurt your car’s value and could even lead to lower insurance payouts if you get into an accident later. Some insurance companies might subtract the value of any previous unrepaired damage when calculating payouts for a total loss. Choosing the Right Repair Service for Hail Damage After a hailstorm, acting quickly to repair any damage is essential to maintain your car’s value. Reputable repair services, like StormWise, specialize in Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), a technique that restores dents without affecting your vehicle’s original paint or finish, keeping it in top condition. Look for repair shops with fast turnaround times—StormWise, for example, often completes repairs within two weeks, even during peak seasons. Partnering with a service that works directly with insurance companies can also simplify the claims process and reduce delays. Some providers, including StormWise, offer deductible assistance, easing your out-of-pocket costs. Choosing the right repair service not only ensures fast, quality repairs but also helps maintain your car’s value and avoids complications with future insurance claims. Real Examples of Hail Damage Repair Costs Minor Damage Minor hail damage typically involves hundreds of small dents across the vehicle, as even smaller hailstones can cause widespread impact. Repair costs for this type of damage usually start at $3,000 to $5,000, depending on the extent of the damage and the vehicle’s panel materials. PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) is commonly used for these repairs, ensuring that the vehicle’s original paint remains intact. Moderate Damage Moderate hail damage involves a higher number of dents spread across several panels, leading to more extensive repair needs. Costs for this level of damage typically range from $5,000 to $8,000, depending on the vehicle and the extent of the impact. Repair specialists often recommend addressing moderate damage quickly to avoid further complications and preserve the car’s value. Severe Damage Severe hail damage involves extensive denting across multiple panels, often requiring significant repairs or part replacements. For severe cases, repair costs typically range from $8,000 to $15,000 or more, especially for luxury vehicles or when insurance doesn’t declare the vehicle a total loss. Aluminum Panel Hail Repair When hail damages aluminum panels, repair shop costs tend to rise due to the complexities of working with

Celine Hobbs October 23, 2024

Buying a Car with Hail Damage: How to Negotiate and What to Know

You may have seen headlines about second-hand cars selling at the highest prices because of the chip shortage and COVID impact on car manufacturers. This is still mostly true and the inflated price is also seen on cars with non-perfect conditions, including hail damage. While these cars also seem like a steal, with much cheaper price tags, you should be aware that hail damage cars can have a significant impact on their value. Here are some tips for negotiating and knowing what you’re getting into before buying a car with hail damage – whether from a dealer or a private seller. How Much Can Hail Devalue A Car? Repairing hail-damaged cars can be quite costly. The average cost for auto repairs is $6,500 (After more than two decades fixing vehicles struck by hail storms we know)! This is likely at least the cost you should consider adding up to the hail damaged car you are about to purchase. If you Google the average hail damage car repair cost, you will see a much lower price of $2,500. Trust us, that is not true. Even though sometimes, a hail damage repair job can be that low, most cars end up costing a lot more. The north side of the cost can be as high as $20,000, with most being closer to five to eight thousand dollars for cosmetic damage in good condition without any hidden issues like rust or damaged paint. The price tag on your vehicle’s hail repair may vary depending upon factors such as what kind of car you drive and how much damage it has. We have an in-depth article about the true cost of hail damaged cars here. What Makes Hail Damage Different For Car Sales? Hail damage to cars is unique in the following ways: Sellers Don’t Have To Disclose Hail Damage on Car Reports Unlike collision damages, sellers and dealers don’t have to disclose previous car hail damage, because it is not required to report hail damage. This makes it tricky for buyers shopping online, because hail dents are hard to spot without the perfect light condition, and they are even more difficult to notice on videos and photos. If you can tell hail dents on a picture, know that it is much worse when you see it in person. Sometimes, dealers will fix the obvious dents and put up the car for sale. If you don’t know how to examine cars for hidden damage like small dents, you may be paying too much for what the car is really worth. Cosmetic Damage Doesn’t Affect Car Functions or Safety The most common type of hail damage is car dents. Even when a car’s windshield cracks in a hail storm, the car isn’t considered too dangerous to drive. If you are on a budget and don’t care about the car’s appearance, hail damaged vehicles can be an excellent choice. You can save a lot of money and drive the car for years without fixing it. Why Do Dealers Sell Hail Damaged Cars? Whether a dealer sells hail damaged cars is a business decision. It comes down to the three things below: How much does the damage cost? How much does insurance cover? How much can the car be sold for? If the insurance coverage and the damage repair significantly increases the sales value, the dealers will fix the cars and not sell them with hail damage. If the repair cost doesn’t increase the resale value, dealers may sell the damaged cars for a discounted rate and have the new owner deal with the repair. Hail damage can cause a car’s exterior to be riddled with dents, but it doesn’t have any effect on its internal components or functionality. The only thing that might matter is whether or not these cosmetic issues can be repaired by paintless dent repair. Paintless dent repair maintains the car value. It massages the dents out without damaging the paint, so the car’s manufacturing paint warranty is intact and the cars are like brand new again. Why Do Private Sellers Sell Hail Damaged Cars? When a car is damaged by hail, it can be hard for people to decide what they should do. While this can still be a business decision, many people end up selling hail damaged cars because they don’t have the money to repair the damage, or they want to keep the insurance payout and not bother with the repair. How To Negotiate For A Hail Sale Deal? Now you know why people will sell a hail damaged car: because they feel like repairing the damage will cost the same as or more than their profit margin on selling the vehicle after repairs. This does not mean that buying a hail damaged car is a bad option, but you should know what is the price worth paying for. To negotiate for a fair price, we recommend customers understand the following factors. Once you have answers to these four questions, you can add up the cost (two to four) and negotiate for a better pricing. 1. How much is the car worth without the hail damage? If the hail damaged car was brand new at a dealer’s place, most of the time, the dealer would fix the hail damage because it’s often worth it. So check the manufacturer’s website for the new car price so you know how much it used to be. The value of a used car can change greatly depending on factors like the year, model and condition. It’s important to use an accurate price guide so you know what your options are in advance! You can find out about a used car’s average resale value using Kelley Blue Book or an online resale estimator. 2. How much does it cost to fix the hail damage? The best way to find out the real and accurate price for auto hail repair is getting an estimate upfront from a reputable specialty shop like StormWise Auto Body Shop

Celine Hobbs May 26, 2022

Should I Claim Hail Damage on My Car? 4-Step Insurance Claim

Before you call up your company, learn if you should be claiming hail damage.

Celine Hobbs May 10, 2022

How To Fix Hail Damage on Car

Hail storms are a regular occurrence in Colorado, Texas, and several other states each year. If you live in an area that commonly experiences hail or heavy storms, then knowing your repair options can help you gain peace of mind if your preventative measures miss their mark. We all cherish our cars, but they can be costly to repair if the damage is extensive. Fortunately for you—and your wallet—there are some great resources available! Whether your car is new, has been owned for several years, or is a long-time companion, it is peace of mind knowing how to get it fixed when your car gets hail damage – especially knowing that would save you thousands of dollars. In this guide, we’ll cover how to fix hail damage on car, including DIY methods and professional repair options.

Celine Hobbs April 27, 2022

11 Hail Damage Car Myths Explained

Updated on 9/7/2022 When the sky opens up, and hail begins to fall, you may be fascinated by the spectacle. You may not think much about what these small balls of ice can do to your assets, including your car. Yet, car owners need to recognize just how impactful that short hailstorm can be when it comes to hail damage car. The damage itself can be worrisome, especially if you have a high-valued or new vehicle you hope to protect. That’s why we’re sharing these 11 hail damage car myths — to help you understand what is and isn’t true, and what you should really be doing to get the best outcome for your car. Myth 1: Is Pea Sized Hail Not A Big Deal? Wrong. Pea-size hail is quite small, often hard to see. From far away it looks like heavy raindrops. However, small bits of hail like this often travel at a very high speed as it strikes your car. When this happens for even a few minutes, it can cause hundreds of small dents on the car’s surface. When you are driving your car and pea-sized hail strikes, the car’s movement only compounds the damage, making it even worse. Learn more about minor hail damage. Myth 2: Are Minor Hail Dents Cheap To Fix? It is true that hail may not create a large amount of damage to a vehicle. However, it can be very costly to repair minor hail dents because there are usually hundreds of dents. The actual cost you can expect also depends on multiple factors, including the type of car, like the material for the panel and the car make and model. Nowadays, many luxury cars and high-end models use aluminum for the panel because it’s lightweight and is beneficial to keep the car fuel-efficient. But dents on an aluminum panel are tricky to fix and cost a lot more than repair on a steel panel. To learn more about hail damage car repair costs: Why are Hail-Damaged Cars So Expensive to Fix? To read more about the associated costs to fix aluminum panel damage: Why Aluminum Is A Tricky Material For Dent Repair? Myth 3: Is Severe Car Hail Damage Too Expensive To Repair? Not necessarily. If your car has sustained severe damage from a hailstorm, it’s pretty logical to assume that these damages will be too expensive to fix. The good news is not necessarily! Comprehensive auto insurance will pay for repairs or if the damage from the storm is deemed severe, the insurance company will total the car and provide financial assistance to purchase a new vehicle. That means there’s no reason not to seek out repairs. To learn more about the severe hail damage car: Austin Hailstorm Cracked Windshields, What To Do? Post-Massive Austin Hail Storm FAQs Myth 4: Will Severe Hail Damage Car Repair Take A Long Time? Severe hail damage car can be extensive, but that doesn’t mean that damage has to take months to complete. It is true that many car owners had to wait months for a repair to take place and then another month or two for it to finish. But that’s usually the case with auto body shops and insurance pre-approved shops that don’t have enough technicians during a storm peak season. If you choose to work with an auto hail repair specialty shop it typically ensures you can get the work completed much sooner. The repair shop will determine the best method for repairing your vehicle depending on the extent of the damage. The industry-standard repair method for hail damage car is paintless dent repair (PDR). Sometimes your vehicle may also need paint repair and part replacement. If PDR is an acceptable option for your vehicle, it doesn’t take too long. Replacement parts and paint repair may take several weeks. Also, note that your insurance company can slow things down as they process the claim. To learn more about the repair time-related to hail damage: we are working on an article about factors that affect repair time of fixing hail damage on cars. Check back in a few weeks for details. Myth 5: Is All Damage From Hail The Same? Another myth is that all types of hail damage are the same. That is not the case. There are four primary types of damage. Dents are the most common type of hail damage regardless of the severity of a storm. The size and depth of the damage depend on the size and force that the hailstone was traveling at impact. Other types of hail damage car include paint damage, cracked glass, mirror damage, etc. To learn more about the different types of hail damage car: What Does Hail Damage Look Like On A Car? Myth 6: Is Body Shop Vs Specialty Shop All The Same? There are a lot of body shops out there that will do hail damage car repair. However, these are often the most frustrating of locations to visit for this type of work. When a storm strikes, almost all body shops are fully booked and will take weeks if not months to take on new cars. A specialty shop is going to have a better ability to manage the capacity and complexities of hail damage car repair. So how to choose an auto hail repair shop? To learn more about choosing the best hail damage car repair company: A Few Quick Tips To Help You Find The Best Hail Damage Car Repair Company Myth 7: Is Hail Repair The Same Everywhere? This is perhaps one of the most worrisome of all myths. If you have hail damage to your vehicle, you may have no idea about the various repair methods and which one is right for your car. All repair methods and shops are not equal. There are different hail damage car repair methods available and you should definitely check them out. To help you decide on a hail repair company: We have an article with easy-to-follow

Celine Hobbs April 6, 2022

Taking Pictures For Insurance Claims In The Age Of COVID-19 – 5 Tips to Solve Hard To See Hail Damage On Car

We get it…it’s SO frustrating. You have had a hail repair specialist look at your car, and they’re saying you’re looking at $7,000 to $8,000 in damage. You then send the photos to your insurance adjuster, but their estimate comes in at $980. “What the heck?” you’re thinking. “How am I going to get this thing fixed?” We hear it all the time. What’s causing this is the fact that hail damage on cars is difficult to see, whether in person or via photos/virtual meetings. So how do you actually solve hard to see hail damage on car? Jump To: -> What to Know About Car Insurance Photo Inspection -> How to Take Pictures to Show Hard-to-See Hail Damage on Cars Hail damage—like any other type of car damage—must be fixed ASAP, especially since it can further devalue your car if it’s not repaired for a while. However, if it’s hard to see the hail damage on your car, how can you know exactly how much it will cost to repair it? In this article, we’ll show you how, and it starts with the changes in insurance inspection that often asks for photos to provide an estimate of the damage. What to Know About Car Insurance Photo Inspection A crucial requirement involved in fixing different types of hail damage—including collision, paint, and other serious forms of car damage—is having a clear picture of the situation. Even though you may only be dealing with minor hail damage, it still needs to be assessed properly to ensure an accurate estimate of repair costs and time. Since the pandemic, though, adjusters now rarely come out to do hail repair estimates at your home or office as they used to in years past. If you’ve recently filed a claim for one of the many hail storms in Colorado Springs, Greeley, etc. last year, you’ve probably heard an adjuster ask you to “send photos.” We are getting tons of calls from frustrated customers wondering if their insurance adjuster will be able to see the hail damage in photos, especially if there are a ton of hard-to-see dents to assess. They’re also asking what to do when the estimate comes in REALLY low. When it comes to a car insurance photo inspection, it’s really difficult for adjusters to see the hail damage in most photos. But the good news is that if the estimate comes in crazy low, we simply send what’s called a “supplemental estimate” (aka supplement) up to the adjuster, which outlines all the damage he/she missed on the initial estimate. It was already an extremely common thing before this year, but the fact that adjusters simply aren’t going out to look at hail-damaged cars in person has made supplements even more prevalent today. However, there are things you can do to take better pictures that help adjusters spot hard to see hail damage on your car! Below are some of our tips and tricks on taking pictures for insurance claims to get an accurate estimate of hail damage, even on the hard-to-see dents: How to Take Pictures to Show Hard-to-See Hail Damage on Cars: Tip #1: Point to the Damage This is a straightforward way to show the adjuster exactly what you’re looking at in-person. Sometimes, people take a photo and think the adjuster will just “know” what it is they’re looking at—more often than not, that’s NOT the case. Tip #2 Photograph Broken or Dented Parts, Before You Replace Them This seems like a no-brainer, but definitely take photos of broken or dented parts before replacement or repair is done. Sometimes, people need to replace broken parts to make the car drivable, like the tail lights or windshield. If you have to replace these items BEFORE you get a photo-based estimate from your insurance, ensure you have pictures of the broken parts in the car showing damage! Also, be sure you save any receipts for items you purchase, as you can be reimbursed for those items. Your insurance might say something like, “well, your deductible is $500, and since the windshield is $450, we are just going to count that toward the expense of the deductible.” Here’s the thing about that. StormWise can waive a deductible*. So what does that mean to the purchased items that your insurance said would go towards your deductible? Save your receipts, and StormWise will reimburse you for the cost you’ve already put into repairing the broken parts. So, in this case, the insurance estimate will include the $450 it costs to replace that windshield, which means StormWise will receive payment for it. That’s how we can reimburse you directly from the insurance proceeds for your out-of-pocket cost to make the car drivable. Tip #3: Use the Proper Angles This is one that most people won’t know because it’s not super intuitive. Basically, you can’t look directly down at the panel – the dents will be washed out, and you won’t be able to see very many of them. When you look at the dent head-on and take a photo of it, you can’t get an idea of its true size. You have to be looking perpendicular to the panel: For example, kneel down when taking pictures of the hood. Look down the side of the door to see damage on the door panels. And don’t forget to point to the damage (without covering the dent with your finger) when taking photos. Tip #4: Use Indirect Lighting The sun isn’t always your best friend when it comes to revealing hard to see hail damage on car. In most cases, it really is better to use another light source. When your hail damage is fixed using paintless dent repair, you’ll see that the technicians use specialized lighting to see the true size and depth of the dent. You’ll also notice that they are usually working in a garage that doesn’t have a ton of other natural light shining through. Because bright sunlight will wash out the full

Celine Hobbs September 1, 2020