Residents of Missouri understand the dangers hailstorms pose for their vehicles. Sometimes, there is very little you can do to keep your car protected from the falling ice. If the storm is severe enough, it can leave it covered in dents and scratches. If you require hail damage repair, follow these helpful tips to ensure you receive the best service possible.

Do:

Thoroughly document all damage.

Once the storm subsides, and it’s safe to venture outside, inspect your vehicle for signs of damage. If there are dents or scratches, take multiple pictures to document them. This information will facilitate the claims process with the insurance provider.

You can also take the car to a reputable mechanic to have them diagnose any hidden damage the falling ice might have caused. This helps you to understand the true extent of the hail damage repair costs.

Contact your insurance provider.

Use the information you’ve documented to start the insurance claims process as quickly as possible. A claims adjustor will come out to assess the extent of the damage and provide an estimate for how much your policy will cover. 

Don’t:

Put off repairs.

Many people think it’s a good idea to wait until the hail season ends to schedule any needed repairs, but this isn’t a recommended strategy. Most insurance providers only cover damage for a certain amount of time.

They can also deny coverage if the vehicle was damaged on multiple different occasions. This means a provider can deny coverage for storm damage from earlier in the year, choosing to only pay for the most recent incident. To ensure you get the highest payout, file a claim after each occurrence rather than making one large claim at the end of the season.

Assume you have to use their recommendation.

Most insurance companies have particular businesses they partnered with that they recommend as a preferred repair shop. However, it is not required to use their recommendation.

Shop around and get multiple quotes for repair costs from different reputable contractors. This ensures that you receive the best service possible at the best price available.

If your vehicle has been damaged in a hailstorm, contact the experts at DentKO Auto Hail Repair, PDR & Window Tints - Dents Removal. This company is located in Florissant, MO, and has more than 20 years of experience with hail damage repairs. They’ll work with your insurance provider to ensure your vehicle gets the service it needs. For extra peace of mind, they back their work with a lifetime warranty. They also provide pickup and drop-off services for elderly customers. Learn more online, or call (314) 895-8468 to schedule an appointment.