When you're in need of car hail damage repair, trust the Quantrell Collision team to assess your vehicle and recommend safe ways to fix it. Car hail damage is common in Lexington, KY, as the weather can unpredictably hurl large chunks of ice that can cause some serious damage. When nature strikes your vehicle, knowing who to contact can take a load of stress off your mind. At our collision center, we are well-equipped to handle hail damage and other vehicle issues. Our team of experts has extensive experience repairing all makes and models.
If you have a car damaged by hail and want to get started on the repair process, contact us for an inspection and quote today.
Hail damage can appear subtle at first, especially under low lighting. However, once sunlight hits the surface, the signs become clear. You might see small, round dents scattered across the hood, roof, and trunk, almost like dimples in the metal. In more severe storms, the damage can be spotted easily. You might see chipped paint in the metal from hail damage, windshield injuries that include cracks, or even roof issues like deep creases.
Depending on the hail size and wind speed, other components, like plastic trim, mirrors, and lights, might show scuffs or cracks. Even if your car looks mostly fine, minor dents can still lower the resale value and expose the paint to corrosion over time.
Not all hail is equally destructive. Generally, hailstones the size of a dime or larger are capable of leaving visible dents in the vehicle's body. This ultimately depends on the speed of the hail falling. Once hail reaches a quarter-size or bigger, significant damage becomes much more likely. While the size of the hail can't be predicted before a storm hits, it's important to still understand how these pellets affect vehicles.
A quarter-sized piece, for example, can chip paint on side mirrors, cause fractures in glass, and maybe even cause accessories to fall off the car's exterior. Pay attention to wind patterns during an incoming storm, as even smaller hail can be flung at high speeds during strong wind gusts. Overall, it's wise to be cautious of any hailstorm and prepare your car for whatever the weather holds.
Repairing car hail damage might look simple to some, but it's a job that's best left to professionals. Fixing hail damage isn't a one-size-fits-all process because it depends on the extent and location of the issues. At Quantrell Collision, our technicians begin by inspecting every dent and ding to determine whether paintless dent repair can restore your vehicle's body panels. This is a preferred method for many hail repairs, as it preserves the car's factory paint and helps maintain its resale value.
Since we're committed to ensuring that all cars that come through our center are safe to drive on the road, we recommend opting for traditional body work, refinishing, or part replacement at our shop if hail chips or dents your vehicle's hood, roof, or body. Trying to fix hail damage yourself with DIY dent kits or heat methods can make the issue worse. Without the right tools and training, you risk damaging the metal or paint even further, which can lead to higher repair costs later. Our certified team uses specialized equipment and proven techniques to restore your car and its integrity, saving you time, stress, and money in the long run.
Assessing car hail damage requires a professional eye, patience, and the right team. First, we'll take the details for your insurance provider to help make the process smooth. Then, we'll examine the vehicle closely, looking for any dents or damage caused by hail, and we'll submit our findings to your insurance provider. This report is used to make a decision on whether the repairs will be approved and covered. However, the full answer to "How is hail damage assessed on a car?" relies on the intensity of the repairs required.
We'll determine if paintless dent repair (PDR) can be performed on the car hail damage and whether any parts will need to be replaced. If the hood is damaged beyond what PDR can fix, we'll look into a more cost-effective solution to repair and paint the hood or to replace it entirely.
Another crucial assessment is taking a closer look at the windshield, windows, and side mirrors for any cracks or chips. Our experts will determine the type of repair that's needed for those surfaces, as chips can be filled, whereas deeper cracks may require a new windshield altogether.
Once we know what car hail damage repairs are needed, we'll factor in the cost of labor and installation, as well as any fees and taxes that apply. We'll send this estimate to you and give it to your insurance provider as a part of the damage report mentioned above. Our team will keep in touch during the approval process. Once your insurance provider gives word on their approval, we'll get started right away on repairs.
A one-time report of car hail damage likely will not raise your car insurance premium, but this varies on a case-by-case basis. What tends to stay the same, though, is how living in a hail-prone area can affect your insurance premium. Insurance companies tend to take natural factors, such as the likelihood of hail damage, into account when you apply for insurance. So, they likely know that car hail damage is a possibility and are ready to help.
However, always keep in mind that the more claims you make, the higher the chance that your insurance premium will be raised. This, again, can vary depending on your insurance provider and your circumstances. We work with several major car insurance companies and can tell you that the most accurate answer to "Does a hail damage claim raise your insurance? will depend on your specific insurance provider.
Filing a claim for hail damage often depends on the extent of the damage and your insurance deductible. If the repair costs clearly outweigh your deductible, a claim is usually worth it. For lighter cosmetic dents, some drivers choose to pay out of pocket. Keep in mind, though, that hail damage can worsen resale value if left unrepaired. A professional estimate can help you decide if filing makes sense. Schedule an estimate online or give us a call today.
Whether a hailstorm damaged your car's hood or broke its windshield, Quantrell Collision is your one-stop source for car hail damage repair. Our trained technicians will get right to work so that you can get an estimate as soon as possible. Once you and your insurance provider have approved the repairs, we'll tackle them with high standards for precision, a focus on competitive value, and your convenience as a priority.
Contact us or schedule your appointment online to take care of any hail damage your vehicle received, and ask our team for tips on how to avoid future car hail damage.
Before scheduling hail damage repair in Lexington, KY, with us, check out the answers to some common car hail damage inquiries below.
The most common types of car hail damage are round dents on the vehicle's roof, trunk, and hood and a broken windshield and rear window. These areas of your vehicle face the sky and almost always take the brunt of hail damage. Hail can also leave scratches or chips in your vehicle's paint. Our body shop in Lexington, KY, is equipped to handle such damage.
Round dents that are typical of hail damage can often be popped out successfully, but damage to the vehicle's paint may occur during this process. The true scope of the car hail damage your vehicle received should be examined by professionals before any attempt to pop out the dents is made. Contact Quantrell Collision to set up an assessment and competitively priced hail damage repair in Lexington, KY.
The fastest way to protect your vehicle from car hail damage is to keep it stored in an enclosed garage or under a cover, like a tree or tarp. If storage isn't a possibility, then another way to protect your car from hail damage is to monitor the weather and place car hail covers or thick towels in your trunk, ready to be thrown over the body and windows.
