How to fix dents caused by hail
Hailstorms are an unpredictable and devastating atmospheric phenomenon for the bodywork of cars. There are few ways to prevent them from damaging it. Here we tell you how to solve it.
Seen and unseen. Hailstorms appear out of nowhere and usually last a few minutes, but their consequences tend to be significant if their ferocity is high. And it is that the fall of ice between 5 and 50 mm in diameter usually generates dents and damage to the body of practically all cars. There is no way to avoid it, especially when it happens so unexpectedly, except if we protect the vehicle in a covered area. The question, when the hail has affected the car, is how to remove hail buns.
As a general rule, hail damage to the car is usually represented by dents which, fortunately, do not cause the paint to chip . The most affected parts tend to be the hood, trunk, and roof. Depending on the severity of the hail damage to the car, these areas may be repairable or, in the worst case, may need to be replaced . The intervention of a specialized varillero is often decisive in establishing how to remove hail buns. Residential Roofing Trophy Club, TX cost of their work is between 350 and 900 euros, depending on the hours of dedication that are required.
how to fix them
The current economic situation does not allow for certain expenses and encourages many owners to look for alternative solutions to remove dents from hail . The first domestic use that is usually applied is the alternative use of heat and cold: it is done by placing the car under the blazing sun or, if this is not possible, applying a hair dryer, at maximum power, about 12-18 cm away. of each bun for a couple of minutes. Of course, you have to stop the process immediately if the paint discolors . Otherwise, continue placing ice on the dent and moving it circularly to generate a thermal contrast that causes recovery of the initial appearance.Another possibility is to buy a dent repair kit or a suction cup to remove them in a store or online . It is essential to get it right when choosing the equipment in question: it must be efficient, of quality… and appropriate for that specific vehicle. Suction cups are usually a simple and inexpensive solution that does not require any experience to use with any degree of success. In conclusion, when someone considers how to remove hail buns from their car, the main decision is whether or not to go to a specialized workshop . For safety, quality and comfort, doing so is the best alternative. Although, obviously, the savings are reason enough to try other more homemade methods that can work… if we take the necessary care.
If you are caught in a hail storm
Help protect your car by finding shelter under a bridge or a structure with a solid roof. Or pull over to the side of the road and cover your face with clothing to protect it if any glass breaks.
From a safe place, take a photograph of the damage.
Cover any damaged windows to protect the car from further weather damage.
How to File a Hail Damage Insurance Claim
start your claim
Call us at 1-800-421-3535 or start a claim online . Have the following information handy:
Your insurance policy number
The year, make, model, and body style of the vehicle
The date of the incident
Typically, a claims assistant contacts you within 24 hours to schedule an appointment to take your car to a shop and request an estimate for the repairs. If your vehicle is not drivable or is in another location, we can examine it there.
We will consult your insurance policy and analyze the facts of the loss to determine what damages are covered by your policy.
Large scale hail damage treatment
In the event of a large hail storm, we can send automated mobile units to assess hail damage to an area where a large number of vehicles have been damaged.
The mobile units have high-definition cameras that scan the dents and generate a highly accurate damage report in minutes.
Hail Damage Repair Arrangements
In the event of a large episode where automated mobile units are on site to estimate damage, we will schedule an on-site repair for your vehicle if desired. You have the option of selecting your own repair facility, or you can choose a location from our On Your Side Auto Repair Network® 1 , where you’ll receive prompt, hassle-free service. We work directly with these pre-selected and pre-qualified shops for estimates, repairs and payments.
Hail damage repair
There are generally 2 methods to repair hail damage to vehicles:
Paintless Dent Removal (PDR). Special molded tools are used on the inside of vehicle panels to push and smooth out dents, so they do not affect the painted surface. Generally speaking, repairs take a few days. PDR may not be the effective method for large dents or extensive hail damage.
Conventional vehicle repair. Work is done mainly on the exterior of the vehicle, dents and irregularities are fixed with a filler. Although the method is most effective when the dents are large, the repair time is longer because the repaired area must be primed and repainted.
Your chosen repair shop can recommend the most appropriate method to repair the damage to your vehicle.
Paying your hail damage insurance claim
Once Nationwide estimates the damage to your vehicle, you’ll receive payment, less any applicable deductibles and non-covered/accepted expenses.
[1] The warranty covers the replacement of any defective alternative parts identified in the appraisal and used in the repair for as long as you own or lease your vehicle under repair. In addition, work performed at an On Your Side® Auto Repair Center includes a labor warranty on repairs assessed and completed for as long as you own or lease your vehicle.
Each claim is addressed based on its particular facts and circumstances and as set forth in the policy, including applicable exclusions, conditions, and limitations, as well as applicable law.
Product, coverage, discounts, insurance terms, definitions and other descriptions are intended for informational purposes only and in no way replace or modify the definitions and information contained in individual insurance contracts and policies and/or Nationwide’s affiliated risk assessment companies statement pages, which are normative. Such products, coverages, terms and discounts may vary by state and exceptions may apply.