When thunderstorm updrafts carry water droplets, they can freeze and form hail. Hailstones are sometimes the size of a golf ball, causing injury to people and damage to property. Here's how these ice chunks can wreck your car, and what you should know before going for hail damage repair.

What Damages Do Hailstones Do to Cars?

The damage depends on the fall speed and size of the hail, as well as the car's location during the storm. Since hailstones often come with strong winds, these can leave dents, chipped paint, broken windows, and a cracked windshield.

Hail damage repair is costly. Avoid substantial auto damages by parking your vehicle in covered areas whenever there are warnings of severe thunderstorms. If you have comprehensive car insurance coverage, ask your insurer if it includes hail damage repair. If it does, report a claim as soon as possible. 

How Do Auto Shops Handle Hail Damage Repair?

First, an auto body repair specialist will clear the vehicle's exterior of debris that may cover part of the damage. Next, they use a large light to assess the intricacies of the dent to determine a course of action and provide a repair estimate. The specialist will then work on the vehicle using tools like bracers and pullers to pop the car frame back to the original form. Usually, experts can resolve hail damage using paintless dent removal, which costs less and is faster than other methods.

If hailstones have severely damaged your car, have it restored by professionals at DentKO PDR Tint & Detail in Hazelwood, MO. For more than 20 years, their specialists have delivered high-quality and affordable hail damage repair for clients in the Greater St. Louis area. They also offer pick-up and drop-off services for elderly patients and help customers handle insurance claims if hail storms have damaged their car. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call them at (314) 895-8468 to get a free estimate.