Hail—or frozen rain pellets—forms when rain droplets in clouds up to 50,000 feet in the air get hit with summer storm updrafts. The more updrafts the rain droplets receive, the larger the hail, with some pellets reaching baseball- and softball-sized proportions. Even small hailstones the size of pennies and quarters can inflict auto body damage requiring dent repair because they can hit the ground going up to 50 miles per hour. Here are a few steps to take following auto hail damage to resolve the problem quickly.

What You Should Do After Experiencing Car Hail Damage

1. Take Photos

Capture images of the hail damage, including dents on your hood, trunk, and car roof, as well as cracked or shattered auto glass. Any insurance carrier requires evidence of vehicular damage before covering glass and dent repair costs. If your vehicle is dirty, clean the exterior with caution, assuming there is any glass damage, before taking photos. A clean hood, trunk, and roof make the dents easier to see.

2. Contact Your Insurance Provider

Call your insurance carrier to determine if you have liability or comprehensive coverage. Liability insurance does not cover hail car damage, unlike comprehensive plans that pay for environmental damages and collision repairs. If you have comprehensive coverage but hail damage repair costs are lower than your monthly deductible, it’s more affordable to pay for auto body shop work out of pocket.

3. Get Repair Quotes

Request auto glass and dent repair quotes from local auto body shops to compare. Keep in mind that you do not have to use the body shop your insurance carrier suggests, even if the agency is covering the repairs. Insurance companies cannot refuse coverage because their customers use other auto body shops.

4. Schedule Dent Repairs

Get your car fixed by your selected auto body shop to maintain your vehicle’s appearance. Schedule repairs as soon as possible if your vehicle sustained auto glass damage to prevent further breakage and potentially serious injuries to yourself and other passengers. Repairs take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the degree of damage.

If you reside in Independence, KY, or the surrounding areas and have experienced hail damage to your vehicle, schedule dent repairs with Crone’s Auto Body. Since 1949, the shop has adhered to the highest quality standards in auto body care. Call (859) 356-1800 today to schedule an appointment. Visit them online to learn more about their dent repair services.