If your car has a few dents, you might think it’s only cosmetic and doesn’t matter. However, those dents can reduce the value of your vehicle significantly.

It’s essential to get your hail damage repaired right away. Here’s everything you need to know about the process. This will help you avoid common mistakes that cost millions of dollars yearly.

How to Find Hail Damage

You can do many things to protect your car from hail damage, but knowing what to look for is essential. Closely examining your vehicle’s roof, hood, and trunk lid is a good start. Hail can leave dents in these areas, which may be visible but hidden.

Those dings and dents from pea-sized hail aren’t just annoying to look at; they can cause real problems. A dented windshield or rearview mirror can make driving your vehicle unsafe, and they can also affect the resale value of your vehicle.

Most comprehensive insurance policies cover hail damage and can help you get your car back to a pre-hail storm condition. However, finding the right hail storm vehicle repair Denver CO shop to do the work is essential. You want to be sure that the shop is certified by your vehicle’s manufacturer and has the proper tools and training to repair the damage correctly.

What to Do After a Hail Storm

After a hail storm, assessing the damage to your property and car is essential. Do this while the weather is still safe to go outside. Prioritize your safety before you begin, and wear gloves and appropriate safety gear when examining the property for any dents or other damage. Take photos of the entire area and check from multiple angles.

If you have comprehensive auto insurance coverage, your policy will cover any hail damage that occurs (after your deductible). Contact your insurer to learn more about the process and get the ball rolling on your claim.

Schedule an appointment with a local body shop specializing in hail damage repair. Be sure to schedule several estimates and ask questions about the company’s history, how long they expect the repairs to take, and what their warranties entail. Choosing a reliable repair company is an investment in the quality of your vehicle and will pay off in the end.

How to Get Your Car Repaired

The first step to getting your car repaired after a hail storm is to take pictures of the damage. Take a few wide shots of the entire car and close-ups of the dents and dings. These photos will come in handy later on when filing an insurance claim. Once you’ve taken these photos, make sure to reach out to your local auto body shop and have an assessment done of the damage.

Your auto body repair cost will vary depending on the hailstorm’s intensity, size, and duration. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to work with the insurance provider’s recommended shop, and you can choose any shop you like. Ensure that the shop you choose is 110% dedicated to the best result for you and your car. This will help to prevent further damage or even a total loss down the road. This is why choosing a company that uses Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) is always best. This method of repair will save you both time and money.

Buying a Hail Damaged Car

Consider how hail damage may affect resale value if you’re looking to buy a car. Ask the dealership if they will warranty or repair any hail-damaged vehicles, and if you’re financing, make sure to find out whether or not the lender will allow comprehensive coverage on a vehicle with prior damage.

If a dealer still needs to repair the hail damage on a vehicle, you should take your business elsewhere. Be especially careful about shops that use PDR because a sloppy job can devalue the vehicle. Watch for tell-tale signs of a poor job, such as overextended dents, paint touch-ups, and replacement panels.

Even though a vehicle with hail damage may seem insignificant, postponing repair can ultimately cost you more money from rust down the road. Moreover, hail damage to a car’s body can expose the underlying metal, which will weaken over time and contribute to further problems. That’s why it’s essential to repair all hail damage immediately.