Do I need to go to a body shop or car dealership for hail damage repairs?

Almost all hail damage can be repaired with paintless dent repair methods. In fact most body shops/collision centers and dealerships contract companies just like ours to conduct the repairs. We have many years of training and are experts when it comes to hail damage repairs.

Can paintless dent repair help sell my car?

Ever hear the saying “Image is everything”? Most people judge a car by its appearance. If it looks good they assume it has been well taken care of. Used car dealers and wholesalers know this. They also know that what they spend on paintless dent repair, will be made back many times over, and will help them sell the car quicker. If you’re selling your car, paintless dent repair is one of the best ways to get top dollar, more interested buyers, and a quicker sale.

What should I look for when choosing a paintless dent repair company?

That is a very important question. Some of the things that we feel are extremely important here at Auto Hail and Dent Center are:

– A well-established company with years of time tested experience and an outstanding reputation
– A positive corporate image within the community and the industry
– A comprehensive professional website
– A national toll free phone number that can be reached year round
– A written national warranty
– Strong customer service skills
– Good references available by request
– Testimonials from previous customers that can be viewed
– A strong working relationship with all the major insurance companies

Most importantly, a strong and willing desire to earn your business and the business of your friends and family

What are the benefits of Paintless Dent Repair?

The most important benefit is quality. This method is the closest you can get to the dent never happening in the first place. No grinding, bondo, fillers, or primers are needed because your original factory paint is not disturbed. There are no problems with filler or paint shrinkage months after the repair as is typical with most body shop repairs.

Cost is also a major benefit of paintless dent repair. Repairs are typically between one-quarter to one-third the cost of conventional dent repair.

Time savings is yet another advantage. Many dents can be fixed in less than an hour. Hail damage is typically fixed in one day with paintless dent repair. A body shop may take 2-3 weeks for the same type of damage.

Environmental concerns are another benefit of paintless dent removal. Since this process keeps the original factory paint on your vehicle, there is no need for the paint, chemicals, or other toxins that are used extensively in body shops when repairing dents. Paintless Dent repair is 100% environmentally friendly. Go green with Auto Hail and Dent Repair Centers!

What if the damage doesn’t appear to be severe enough to justify an insurance claim?

You would be surprised. In most cases the average amount of damage is around $2000. Many dents aren’t readily visible to the untrained eye, especially when viewed outdoors in the sunlight. Our professionally trained damage appraisers will inspect your vehicle free of charge and advise you of hidden damage that could cost you later when you turn in your lease or trade in or sell your vehicle.

What kind of dent damage can be removed using Paintless Dent Repair?

Most car dent damage can be repaired using paintless dent repair. As long as there is no paint chipping or metal creasing in or around the dent, PDR is usually an option. We suggest you schedule an inspection so we can inspect your damage. One of the most attractive features of paintless dent repair is that there is no need for paint, fillers, drilling, or bonding materials.

What is the cost of Paintless Dent Repair?

The cost of paintless dent repair depends upon the severity, number of dents and dings on the automobiles surface panels and the location of the dent. If your automobile has only a minor dent or ding, the cost can be anywhere between $125 – $175. If your vehicle has multiple dents, say from a hail storm, the cost can be hundreds to thousands of dollars depending upon the severity. In most cases of auto hail repair, 100% of the damages are covered with comprehensive automobile insurance.

Do I have to get my dents repaired?

If you file an insurance claim and have a lien on your automobile, the lender will require that you get your vehicle repaired. If you own your vehicle outright, you may choose to keep the insurance check.

Will my insurance rates increase due to an auto hail damage claim?

A hail storm is an unforeseeable event, an “act of nature”, therefore your insurance premium will not be affected. We do suggest that you contact your insurance company and inquire about the details of your policy.

My car was damaged in the hail storm. What do I do now?

The first thing to do is to contact your insurance company and initiate a claim. You will be informed where to take your car or truck in order to have the damage assessed by an insurance adjuster.

What should I know before meet with my insurance adjuster?

Allow the adjuster to inspect your car and write an estimate to repair the damages. This estimate may not be accurate, as it is just an estimate. When you have your car repaired, any difference between the amount of the estimate and the final invoice will be resolved between the repairing vendor and the insurance company by means of a supplement.

The insurance adjuster will most likely encourage you to have your car repaired by one of their preferred vendors. Remember, it is your choice to have your car repaired by the person or business of your choice. It is illegal for an insurance company or their representative to require you to have your car repaired by any specific vendor. It is not uncommon for the preferred vendors to have representatives present at insurance company claim centers. Do not be pressured into using one of these vendors if you are not comfortable with them.

What do I do after receiving my insurance check?

Most insurance companies will issue you a check once they have estimated the damage to your car. It is not uncommon for the amount of the estimate/check to be substantially less than the actual cost of repairs when repaired by a reputable vendor not on the insurance companies’ preferred list. It has been speculated that this is a tactic of insurance companies to minimize the cost of the claim. If you do not repair your car and you cash the check, you are, in effect, settling the claim for the amount of the estimate, when the actual amount could, and probably should be, substantially higher.

While it is tempting to just cash the check and not have your car repaired, there are consequences to consider before doing so. One consequence could be that in the event of a future damage claim the insurance company may reduce the amount paid on that claim by the amount previously paid for hail damage not repaired. Also, if the claim amount is not applied to any liens against the vehicle, then the vehicle value would not be sufficient to satisfy the lien in the event the vehicle is sold or traded.