Hailstorms can be more than a pain, especially if your ride gets caught in one. The damage hail can do to your car ranges from minor dents to shattered windows, impacting both the outside and the inside of your vehicle. In this post, we will explore what hail damage car could look like, how it messes with your car, and what you need to do if your car gets hit by hail.
What Is Hail Damage?
Hail damage happens when ice balls from a storm smack into your car. How bad it gets depends on how big and fast those hailstones are and how long they bang against the vehicle.
What Types of Hail Damage Can Occur to a Car?
Hail damage can mess up different parts of your ride. In a hail damage car you can see:
- Dents: From tiny to big dings on your car’s body, usually found on the roof, hood, or trunk.
- Paint damage: Chipped or cracked paint from those pesky hailstones hitting hard.
- Exterior body damage: Dents, scratches, and dings on the car’s outside, often thanks to bigger hailstones.
- Windshield, Windows, And Sunroof Damage: You might see cracks or chips in the glass, and in severe cases, windows can even shatter.
- Damage To Mirrors, Headlights, And Taillights: Hail can break or crack mirrors, headlights, and taillights, which can cause visibility issues or safety problems.
- Internal components: Sometimes, hail can mess with the car’s internal parts, like electrical systems or the air conditioning condenser, but this is not as common.
Why Should You Address Hail Damage Car Quickly?
Dealing with hail damage quickly is super important for a bunch of reasons:
- Chances Of Damage Getting Worse: If you don’t take care of it, little dents and cracks can turn into big problems in the future.
- Effect On Car Value And Resale: Leaving hail damage as is can really drop the resale value of your ride, since folks might see it as banged up or not well cared for.
- Safety Issues: Cracked windows or lights can put your safety at risk when driving, especially during bad weather.
What To Do If You Spot a Hail Damaged Car?
To avoid further problems after your car has been damaged, take these steps right away:
- Do initial inspection: Take a good look at the damage and jot down any dents, cracks, or broken stuff you can see.
- Take photos for insurance claims: Grab clear photos from various angles of all the damaged spots, including any smashed windows or glass. Write down everything that’s visible.
- Make Temporary fixes to prevent further damage: If you see cracks in the glass, put some masking tape over it to keep moisture from sneaking in.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Hail Damage Car?
The cost of repairing hail damage depends on the severity and extent of the damage:
- Minor repairs: Small dents or cracked paint typically cost between $100 and $500, depending on the method used.
- Major repairs: Large dents or broken windows can lead to higher repair costs, potentially over $1,000, especially if parts need to be replaced.
- Factors influencing repair pricing: The size of the hail, location of the damage, and repair method all affect the cost.
Common Methods for Repairing Hail Damage Car
Now how can you repair hail damage car? Well, there are a few options to fix hail damage, like:
- Paintless Dent Repair (PDR): This technique uses special tools to smooth out dents without hurting the paint job.
- Regular Body Shop Repairs: For bigger dents, body shops might need to sand things down, refinish, and repaint the affected areas.
- Swapping Out Badly Damaged Parts: If parts like windows or mirrors are really messed up, you might have to replace them completely.
How Long Does It Take to Repair Hail Damage Car?
Well the repair time depends on the extent of the damage to your car.
- Minor repairs: Small dents can typically be fixed in a day or two.
- Major repairs: Extensive damage may require several days, especially if parts need to be replaced.
- Availability of part: Now if the part to be replaced is available or not, it will affect how long repairs take.
Can You Fix Hail Damage Car by Yourself?
Now you can certainly fix hail damaged care by yourself if the damage is small. However it will depend upon the level and type of damage to your car. Also, it is also important that you have technical know-how or not. If you have no experience, then in such a case you might end up damaging your car more. We will recommend you to seek professional help to repair your hail damaged car.
How Can You Protect Your Car from Hail Damage?
Now we have access to hail car damage and how to spot it but is there any way to protect your car? Indeed, there are a bunch of ways to keep your car safe from hail damage, especially during storm season:
- Take Some Preventive Steps: Always try to stash your car in a garage or under a roof to shield it from hail.
- Look For Parking And Shelter Options: If there’s no shelter around, think about grabbing a car cover made to fend off hail.
- Use Accessories Or Covers: Hail protection covers and inflatable car covers are out there and can help soften the blow of hailstorms.
Long-Term Effects of Hail Damage on a Car
If you don’t fix hail damage, it can cause some serious long-term problems, like:
- Paint Or Rust Issues: Dents or chips in the paint that are left unfixed can cause rust to form over time.
- Structural Integrity Concerns: Bad hail damage can mess with the strength of your car’s panels and glass, which could lead to safety issues.
- Damage To Your Car’s Look And Value: If you ignore hail damage for too long, it can really bring down your car’s appearance and market value.
Can Hail Damage Be Prevented in Areas with Frequent Storms?
In a place that gets a lot of hailstorms, you can in fact prevent your car from hail damage. Check out these tips:
- Long-Term Storage And Care: Think about getting a garage or some covered parking to shield your car.
- Seasonal Strategies: When hail season hits, stay tuned for weather alerts and make sure to move your car to safety.
- Technologies And Products: Look into hail-resistant car covers or special coatings that can help lessen hail damage.
Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
Yes, car insurance can cover hail damage, but this depends on the type of coverage you have. So keep following two things in mind:
- Chose Comprehensive insurance: This type is usually what covers hail damage. It’s optional, but if you’re leasing or financing your ride, they might require you to have it.
- Deductibles: You’ll probably need to fork over a deductible before your insurance will help with the repair costs.
So, it’s important to check out your insurance policy or chat with your agent.
Conclusion
Hail Car damage is a headache, especially in areas prone to storms. However, taking preventive measures and using accessories can help in preventing your car from damage. Still, if your car is damaged by hail, access the damage and seek professional help..
FAQ
1. Does Hail Damage Lower Resale Value of Car?
Yes, if not repaired hail damage can reduce the resale value of your car. However, if repairs are done on time the impact on resale value can be minimized.
2. Is It Worth Repairing a Car with Extensive Hail Damage?
Whether it’s worth repairing a hail damage car depends on the car damage and your car’s value. For older cars with significant damage, replace the vehicle. And for new care, if damage cost is more than car value, better sale off.
3. Are there any DIY fixes for hail damage?
For very minor dents, some people try DIY methods like using a hairdryer and aluminum foil or dry ice. However, it may risk more damage, so try to get a professional repair done.
