Hail Hit Your Car. What Now?

The sky goes green, the hail comes down for a few minutes, and then you walk out to look at what is left. Minnesota gets its share of these storms, and a car parked outside can come out of one covered in small dents across the hood, roof, and trunk. It looks overwhelming, but hail damage is a very common claim and it follows a predictable path. This post covers what to do first, what repair options exist, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost people money.

What hail does to a car

Hail dents the flat horizontal panels hardest because they take the direct hit: the hood, roof, and trunk lid. Stones can also chip paint, crack lights or trim, and break glass. Dents range from shallow dimples you can only see in certain light to deeper impacts with creased edges. How many dents you have, how deep they are, and where they sit all shape the repair plan, and the damage can look better or worse than it really is until someone inspects it up close.

What to do right after the storm

• Move the car under cover if you can do it safely, so a second round doesn't add to the damage.
• Photograph every panel in daylight, plus close-ups of the worst dents and any cracked glass or trim.
• Note the date and approximate time of the storm, and save any local weather report.
• Check the windshield and the lights for cracks, chips, or water inside.
• Read your policy or call your insurer to find out how hail is covered and what your deductible is.
• Get a repair estimate from a shop you trust before you sign anything.

Photos taken early are worth more than photos taken after weeks of driving and rain. They show the damage as it was, and they make the claim conversation faster. Policies can set limits on how long you have to report a claim, so check yours and don't let the car sit while you decide.

Paintless dent repair and when it works

Paintless dent repair, often shortened to PDR, removes dents without sanding, filling, or repainting. A technician works behind the panel with specialized tools and slowly pushes the metal back to its original shape, so the factory paint stays intact. It is a good fit for hail because the dents are usually round and shallow and the paint is not broken. Since there is no new paint, there is also nothing to match.

It has limits. Paint that is cracked or chipped needs refinishing. Very deep or sharply creased dents, dents along a panel edge or body line, and panels where the metal has stretched can be too much for PDR alone. The panel material and its construction matter too, and some panels are harder to work on than others. Many hail jobs end up as a mix: paintless repair on the panels that qualify, and conventional repair and paint on the ones that don't. A technician inspecting the car in person can tell you which is which.

Hail and your insurance

In general, hail damage falls under comprehensive coverage rather than collision, and comprehensive often carries a different deductible. Policies differ, so check yours or ask your insurer directly. Once you have a claim number, the shop's estimate goes to your adjuster, who reviews it. As with any claim, a first look can miss damage, and a shop can document more as the work goes on.

New Central Auto Body works with all insurance companies and handles the claims process directly with your insurer, from estimates to approvals to paperwork. If you would rather pay yourself, self-pay jobs are welcome, with upfront pricing and no obligation to go through insurance at all.

Choosing who fixes it

After a big storm, repair crews and door knockers often show up in neighborhoods offering quick hail repair. Some do honest work. Some are not around when you have a question later. Before you sign anything, ask where the shop is located, how long it has been in business, and whether you can see work it has done on cars like yours. A local shop is also easy to reach if something needs a second look.

Remember that in Minnesota you have the legal right to choose your own repair shop, regardless of what your insurer recommends. That choice is yours, and you can compare estimates before you decide.

If your car took a hit, call (612) 827-2589 or book a free estimate with New Central Auto Body. The estimate is free with no obligation, and final pricing is confirmed after an in-person inspection. Fleet and commercial vehicles are welcome too.