One of the most frequently asked questions we get from customers with auto hail damage is what is the cost of repairing hail damage. Just like a catastrophic hail storm, an unexpected expense can cause stress and confusion. Knowing how much you will pay to get your hail damage repaired is a good first step.
Things to consider when factoring in repair costs:
The extent of the damage.
Obviously, the severity of the hail storm. The longer the hail storm lasts, the number of dents & dings are increased. The stronger the wind speed, the deeper the dents will be. All of these factors will determine the cost of hail repair.
Your deductible.
Before your insurance company will cover the dent removal cost, they will expect you to pay the deductible. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and the total estimated cost for repairs is $5,000, you will first pay the $500 – leaving the insurance company to cut a check for $4,500 to cover the remaining balance.
If you have done the math, you now know that if you choose to take your hail damaged vehicle to your insurance company’s Direct Repair Facility, your cost of repairing your hail damage will be your deductible. However, if you choose to bring your hail damaged vehicle to Auto Hail Zone, we will waive your deductible since we work closely with your insurance company and accept payment from them, leaving you paying zero out-of-pocket expense for your repairs.
“Preferred” Auto Body Shop versus Paintless Dent Repair Shop.
Your insurance company might try to “steer” you toward one of their preferred auto body shop partners. First and foremost, this is illegal. You have the right to take your vehicle to a repair shop that you choose. Secondly, at a “preferred” shop, you will be required – no exceptions – to pay your entire deductible. Because Auto Hail Zone is a completely independent paintless dent repair shop, we can choose how we handle deductibles. We offer what we like to call a Deductible Forgiveness Program. How this is determined is based on multiple factors. If your insurance company does not cover a rental car, we can assist with this expense as well. Usually, depending on what costs the most, we will take care of that expense. In other words, we can cover your deductible or the cost of a car rental… saving you at least $500.
Parts Replacement.
Some insurance companies will tell you that you need to ‘replace’ your car roof, hood, or trunk. This means that the vehicle will require partial paintless dent repairs and some auto body shop work.
Important: Always get a second opinion from a reputable paintless dent removal shop. In most cases we have seen, the panels your insurance company wanted to replace can 100% be repaired.
Why is this important? As soon as you replace a hood, trunk, roof, etc. – your manufacturer’s warranty is no more. This means you are no longer privy to the full benefits as guaranteed by the manufacturer of your vehicle. This can potentially cost you more money in the future.
In conclusion, if all of your damage can be repaired with paintless dent repair, your manufacturer’s warranty stays intact.
What is the Average Cost to Repair Hail Damage?
From an article written in April 2019, Insurance.com said this: “The average hail claim is about $3,000 – but light hail damage might not be enough even to meet your deductible, while heavy hail damage, though mostly cosmetic, can total even a brand-new car.”
How is Paintless Dent Repair Costs Determined?
The cost of hail damage repair with paintless dent repair, or paintless dent removal, relies on multiple factors.
- Dents per panel.
- The panel that has the dents.
- The circumference of the individual dent.
- The depth of the dent.
- The location of the dent where it lies on the actual panel.
It is Aways Wise
It is always wise to get a second opinion anytime an insurance adjuster writes for parts on your vehicle to be replaced or removed, put back on and repainted.
Anytime you experience hail damage ask yourself these questions:
1) How long has my insurance adjuster been writing initial estimates for the insurance company and how much knowledge do they have about what can be repaired with PDR? An insurance adjuster writes initial estimates for repairs, only a certified PDR Technician will know what can or cannot be repaired with PDR so anytime an adjuster writes for parts to be replaced or removed, we recommend you get a second opinion from a reputable PDR facility.
2) My insurance adjuster just wrote my initial estimate to replace the hood and roof of my vehicle, the damage doesn’t look that bad, why would they write it all to be replaced? When a panel has an excessive amount of damage on it this will lead to “maxing-out” the amount of money that is available for repairing that panel, which is where the insurance adjuster will just write it to be replaced, but more times than not, the damage can all be repaired with PDR. So, always get a second opinion before going the drastic measure of letting a body shop piece apart your vehicle, sometimes an insurance adjuster has not been in the industry long enough to know what can and cannot be repaired with PDR.
Complimentary Hail Damage Estimates at Auto Hail Zone
Before we repair any car, truck, or SUV in our shop, we always do a comprehensive inspection to make sure all of the hail dents have been accounted for.
We also offer no-obligation complimentary hail damage inspections. To schedule an appointment, take a few seconds to fill out our online form.