Hail ranges from pea- and marble-sized pellets of frozen rain to those as big as softballs. Vehicles and roofs are among the most vulnerable to hail damage, affecting over 735,000 property owners in Minnesota each year. If your car sustained hail damage and requires dent removal, among other auto body repairs, here’s what you need to do next.

What Steps Should You Take After Hail Damage to Your Car?

1. Take Photos

After writing down the hail storm’s time and date, take photos of the car damage, as well as the size of the frozen pellets. Get as many high-resolution photos as you can to provide your insurance company with detailed information, including any cracked or shattered auto glass, as well as dents on the hood or trunk.

2. Call Your Insurance Carrier

Contact your insurance provider to determine if hail damage is covered in your policy. If you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, hail and other storm damage is usually covered. Follow all procedures to file your claim, including making copies of photos. Keep in mind that the cost of dent removal and other auto body repairs may exceed your deductible, depending on the extent of the damage.

3. Get the Damage Appraised

Have the vehicle damage professionally appraised by your insurance agency and local auto experts. Ask area auto shops for quotes to make certain you are getting the best deal. While you want to get the work done for a relatively low price, do not automatically go with the lowest bid, as it could indicate the use of cheap materials or unlicensed or uninsured mechanics.

4. Schedule Auto Body Repairs

Request dent removal and any other auto body repairs to drive a like-new vehicle as soon as possible. Depending on the damage, paintless dent removal may suffice, or you might need conventional repairs. The best auto body repair shops offer both options to provide customized solutions to hail damage and other issues.

Be proactive about hail damage with help from Autoworks Collision Center, the auto detailing shop serving Wright and Hennepin counties in Minnesota since 1995. The shop offers paintless dent removal, as well as conventional hail damage repairs, both of which come with lifetime warranties. Call the auto experts today at (763) 477-6653 for a free estimate, or visit the center online to read customer testimonials.