Imagine a world where you pay nothing for auto hail repair. I know, it seems like a dream. But you can make this dream a reality; it just requires dedication and elbow grease.
Hail damage can be expensive to repair, but it doesn’t have to cost you a dime if you take the proper steps.
According to the National Weather Service, there were 1,510 reports of hail in the U.S. in May alone. That’s more than double the average number of hail reports for any other month.
While you can’t control the weather, you can control whether you must pay to repair hail damage on your car. We’ll show you how to do just that below.
“Pictures, or it didn’t happen.”
This is one instance of the popular internet phrase, often used on social media, that’s spot on. Documenting the damage is the first thing you should do. Take pictures of any dents and dings on your car, if possible. It’s helpful to place an object such as a coin or ruler next to them, so the insurance company gets an idea of how large they are.
Free Repairs? Yes, It’s Possible!
Although the idea of free repairs may seem too good to be true, there are several ways you can get free hail repair on your vehicle:
Get a Hail Deductible Waiver.
In some cases, your insurance company may offer a hail damage deductible waiver. This means that they will waive the deductible on your hail claim, allowing you to get repairs for free.
File a Claim with the State.
Depending on where you live and the severity of the damage caused by hail, it is possible that you could receive compensation from your state government or another organization. Your insurance company has to pay when storms cause widespread damage across large areas. They may file a claim with their own insurance company (reinsurance) and pass the savings on to you. Even if they don’t, they may still be willing to work with local businesses, like our shop in Grand Prairie, TX, to provide discounted rates for their customers.
Use your insurance.
If you have comprehensive coverage (which covers things like theft and weather damage), your insurance company will pay for it if you have limits high enough to cover all of the repairs. But be aware that if you have a claim on your record (or more than one), your premiums could go up, or your insurer could cancel your policy entirely. Also, there’s a good chance you’ll have to pay a deductible before your insurance takes effect.
Work with a Reputable Repair Shop
When there is a significant hailstorm that causes damage to thousands of vehicles, it is common for insurance companies to retain an auto hail repair company as a preferred provider. Your insurance company is likely going to recommend a repair shop. However, you do not have to use the shop that they suggest. It’s better to find your own repair shop and get an estimate from them.
This will help you in two ways:
- Your insurance company will use the lowest estimate when determining the cost of repairs and the amount you must pay out of pocket
- You can choose a repair shop specializing in paintless dent removal (PDR) and has experience working with insurance companies.
What to look for in a repair shop
When looking for an auto hail repair shop, you want to make sure they have an excellent reputation in your community. Are they dent repair specialists? Do they do the work on-site? Are they going to outsource the work? This can cause a delay in receiving your vehicle back.
Unfortunately, some shops have been known to inflate their estimates so that they can pocket the extra money from their clients. The problem is that many people don’t realize this until it’s too late, and they’ve already paid hundreds or thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for repairs on their vehicle.
Suppose your car has been damaged in a storm. In that case, it’s crucial that you hire an experienced auto body shop that will be able to quickly assess its condition and provide quality repairs at an affordable price that won’t put stress on your budget.
Zero Auto Hail Repair costs
Unlike the traditional auto body shops, Bodyguard specializes in the paintless dent repair process. Paintless Dent Repair or PDR, consists of repairing dents, dings, and creases on vehicles without affecting the original factory paint, thus helping retain vehicle value.
Hail damage is covered under the comprehensive portion of your policy. However, some insurance companies may not cover all the damage done by a hailstorm. They may control costs by reducing the amount of money they spend on repairs.
Take your vehicle to our shop located in Grand Prairie, TX, and get an estimate for repairs made necessary by a hailstorm or other incident covered under your comprehensive insurance policy.
If you live in the Dallas / Fort Worth area, contact us today for affordable dent removal!