Hail Damage on Your Car? Here's Exactly What to Do Next

A 10 minute storm, months of worry

If you live in Texas, you know how fast a hailstorm can roll in. One minute the sky is clear, the next your car is getting hit by ice the size of golf balls. When it’s over, you walk outside and find dents on the hood, the roof and the trunk.

The good news is that hail damage is one of the most common repairs out there. Here’s what you need to know.

Step 1: Check your car the right way

Hail dents can be hard to spot, especially on light colored cars. Here are a few tips:

• Look at the car at an angle, not straight on. Dents show up better when light reflects across the panel.
• Check the roof, hood and trunk first. These flat surfaces take most of the impact.
• Don’t forget the side panels, mirrors and trim. Hail driven by wind can hit from the side too.
• Take photos and videos of every panel with damage, and write down the date of the storm.

If you’re not sure how bad it is, a hail repair specialist can inspect the car and give you a free estimate.

Step 2: Understand how insurance works

Hail damage is usually covered under the comprehensive part of your auto insurance policy. That’s the coverage for things outside of your control, like storms, falling objects and theft.

A few things worth knowing:

• Filing a hail claim is usually treated as a “not at fault” claim, since nobody caused the storm. Check with your insurer about how it applies to your policy.
• Many policies have a time limit to file a claim, so it’s better not to wait months to deal with it.
• You choose the repair shop, not your insurance company. You have the right to take your car to the shop you trust.

At PDR Crew, we work directly with your insurance company and handle the claim process for you, from the first call to the final approval.

Step 3: Choose paintless dent repair

When it comes to fixing hail damage, there are two main options: traditional body work or paintless dent repair (PDR).

Traditional body work usually means sanding the damaged area, applying body filler and repainting the panel. It takes longer, it can create color mismatch, and a repainted car often loses resale value.

Paintless dent repair is different. Our technicians use specialized tools and reflection lights to reach behind the panel and gently push each dent back into place. No sanding, no filler, no new paint.

Here’s why PDR is the better choice in most hail cases:

• Your original factory paint stays untouched, which protects your car’s value.
• It’s faster, often taking days instead of weeks.
• It’s cleaner, with no chemicals, no overspray and no paint curing time.
• It lasts. At PDR Crew, every repair comes with a lifetime warranty.

When PDR isn’t the right fit

We believe in being honest with our customers. If the hail was severe enough to crack or chip the paint, or if a dent is too sharp or deep, some panels may need traditional repair. During your free inspection, we’ll tell you exactly what can be fixed with PDR and what can’t, so there are no surprises.

Don’t wait too long

Hail dents won’t get better on their own. Leaving the damage unrepaired can lower your car’s trade in value, make it harder to sell, and in some cases lead to problems with future insurance claims on the same panels.

The sooner you get it checked, the easier the whole process is.

Get your free hail damage estimate

PDR Crew specializes in hail repair across Texas. With over 100 five star reviews, a lifetime warranty on every repair and a team that handles your insurance for you, we make getting your car back to showroom condition simple.

Request your free estimate today and see how we can make it look like the storm never happened.