What To Do After A Hailstorm

You never know when a hailstorm is going to blow through town. If your car isn't locked away in a garage, chances are good that the hail is going to cause considerable damage. Once your car survives a hailstorm, it's going to be covered with hundreds of small dents. Those dents need to be repaired. If your car has been damaged in a hailstorm, don't take chances. Here are four tips that will help you to care for your car after a hailstorm. 

Don't Ignore the Small Stuff

If your car survived a hailstorm with just a few dents, don't ignore the problem. Many people think that minor hail damage can be ignored. That's simply not the case. Hail dents may look like minor blemishes on the surface. But what lies beneath the surface might tell a different story. This is true, even if the paint doesn't appear to be damaged. Those tiny hail dents can actually rust and corrode, which can lead to significant body damage. Regardless of the size of the dent, you should always take care of the hail damage as soon as possible. 

Don't Let the Damage Pile Up

If you've decided to postpone repairs to the hail damage because there's another storm coming through, rethink that decision. It might seem like a good idea to take care of the damage all at once. But that can actually get you into trouble. In most cases, repair shops can tell the difference between new damage and old. If your insurance company finds out that you've filed a claim for a mix of old and new damage, they could deny your claim altogether. Avoid the risk by taking care of hail damage as it occurs. 

Do Contact a Repair Shop First

If you're like most people, you contact the insurance company first. That does get the claim started quicker. But it doesn't guarantee you the best results. The best way to make sure that the damage to your car is taken care of properly is to contact the repair shop first. Once you find the right repair shop, take your car in for an estimate. The repair shop will take care of filing the claim for you. 

Do Protect Against Future Damage

Finally, once you have your car repaired, take steps to prevent future damage. The best way to prevent hail damage is to park your car under a carport or inside your garage. If you don't have access to a carport or garage, invest in a hail blanket and several extra floor mats. When a hailstorm is expected, place the floor mats on the front and rear windows and then cover the car with the hail blanket.

Contact a provider of auto hail repair services to learn more.

Share