Hail Damage Assessment & Repair
Everything you need to know about assessing hail damage, filing insurance claims, and getting your vehicle repaired after a hailstorm.
Immediately After a Hailstorm
✅ DO:
- •Document damage immediately with photos/video
- •Call your insurance company within 24-48 hours
- •Get multiple PDR shop estimates (3-5 recommended)
- •Check if your area was declared a disaster (affects claims)
- •Schedule repairs quickly (shops book up fast)
- •Save all documentation (estimates, claims, receipts)
❌ DON'T:
- •Sign with door-to-door "hail chasers" immediately
- •Accept cash settlements without getting repair estimates
- •Wait too long to file a claim (may expire)
- •Drive vehicle if glass is broken (safety hazard)
- •Assume all damage is repairable (total loss possible)
- •Start repairs before insurance adjuster inspection
Assessing Hail Damage Severity
Minor Hail Damage
Characteristics:
- • Pea to dime-sized hail (0.25" to 0.75")
- • 10-30 small dents total
- • Primarily on horizontal surfaces (roof, hood)
- • Shallow dimples, no paint damage
Repair Info:
- • Cost: $1,500-$3,500
- • Time: 1-3 days
- • PDR Success Rate: 95%+
- • May be below deductible
Moderate Hail Damage
Characteristics:
- • Quarter to golf ball-sized hail (1" to 1.75")
- • 30-80 dents across multiple panels
- • Affects roof, hood, trunk, some vertical panels
- • Deeper dents but paint typically intact
Repair Info:
- • Cost: $3,500-$7,000
- • Time: 3-7 days
- • PDR Success Rate: 85-90%
- • Definitely worth claiming
Severe Hail Damage
Characteristics:
- • Baseball to softball-sized hail (2.75" to 4"+)
- • 80-200+ dents covering entire vehicle
- • All panels affected, including vertical surfaces
- • Paint may be cracked, glass often broken
Repair Info:
- • Cost: $8,000-$20,000+
- • Time: 2-4 weeks (if repairable)
- • Total Loss Risk: High (if >70% value)
- • May require panel replacement + PDR
Hail Damage PDR Process
1. Comprehensive Inspection
Technician counts every dent, assesses size/depth, checks paint condition, and creates detailed damage map. Photos document pre-repair condition.
Time: 30-60 minutes for thorough assessment
2. Panel-by-Panel Repair
Work through each panel systematically. Roof typically done first, then hood, trunk, doors, fenders. Each dent carefully removed using appropriate technique.
Time: 1-10 hours depending on severity
3. Quality Control
Final inspection under professional lighting ensures all dents are removed. Senior technician may perform secondary inspection for quality assurance.
Time: 30-45 minutes final inspection
Typical Repair Timeline
Minor Damage (10-30 dents)
1-2 days • $1,500-$3,500
Moderate Damage (30-80 dents)
3-5 days • $3,500-$7,000
Severe Damage (80-150 dents)
1-2 weeks • $7,000-$12,000
Catastrophic (150+ dents)
2-4 weeks • $12,000-$20,000+
⚠️ Post-Storm Delays
After major hailstorms, wait times can extend 4-16 weeks due to thousands of damaged vehicles overwhelming local PDR capacity.
Hail Damage Insurance Claims
Step 1: File the Claim
Contact your insurance company within 24-48 hours. Provide date/time of storm, location, and initial damage description. Most insurers have dedicated hail claim hotlines during major events.
What You'll Need:
- • Policy number and vehicle VIN
- • Photos of damage (all angles, close-ups of dents)
- • Date, time, and location of hailstorm
- • Preliminary damage estimate if available
Step 2: Adjuster Inspection
Insurance adjuster inspects vehicle and writes estimate. In major hail events, adjusters may set up temporary inspection sites. The initial estimate may be conservative - supplemental claims are common.
Timeline:
- • Normal conditions: 2-5 days for inspection
- • After major storm: 1-3 weeks (overwhelmed adjusters)
- • Drive-in claims centers: Same-day inspection possible
Step 3: Choose Your Shop
You have the right to choose your PDR shop. Get 2-3 estimates to compare with insurance estimate. Reputable shops will handle supplemental claims if additional damage is found.
⚠️ Beware "Hail Chasers"
After major storms, unlicensed contractors may go door-to-door. Choose established local shops with verified reviews and physical locations.
Step 4: Repair & Supplemental Claims
During repair, shops often find additional damage missed by the adjuster. Reputable shops will document this and file a supplemental claim on your behalf.
Common Supplement Reasons:
- • Hidden dents discovered during disassembly
- • Dents on vertical panels adjuster missed
- • Complex repairs taking longer than estimated
- • Additional panel access required
Know Your Hail Risk
Different regions have dramatically different hail risks. Understanding your zone helps with prevention and insurance decisions.