(Airdate: 2024-02-05) FOX - WRBW - Getting Your Hail Damage Repaired

Published Date: 02/05/2024

Hail Damage and Your Car: What to Do, What’s Covered, and How to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Hail storms can strike without warning, leaving behind a trail of dents, cracked windshields, and frustrated drivers. In early February 2024, Central Florida experienced one such storm, and local residents woke up to find their vehicles pockmarked with golf ball-sized hail.

While the damage might look cosmetic, hail can quickly become an expensive problem — especially if you’re unsure how to handle insurance claims correctly. The good news? Most hail-related repairs are covered under comprehensive auto insurance. But as the FOX 35 Orlando segment “Getting Your Hail Damage Repaired” explained, there are several key steps to take (and a few to avoid) to ensure you’re protected.

Here’s how to navigate hail damage the smart way — from inspection to claim to repair.

Step 1: Assess the Damage — Safely and Quickly

The first thing to do after a hailstorm is to inspect your vehicle, but only once it’s safe to go outside.

“If there’s damage from hail and the storm has stopped, remember, be safe first,” the report emphasized.

Once conditions are clear, walk around your vehicle and take note of dents, cracked glass, and other signs of impact. Because hail often strikes unevenly, check all sides — including the roof, hood, and trunk.

Pro Tip: Document Everything Immediately

Today’s smartphones make this process simple. Record a short video (5–10 seconds) showing your car and the hail still on the ground.

“Walk out there with your camera, take a video saying, ‘Here’s the damage, there’s the hail on the ground,’” the segment advised. “That’s just going to make things that much easier in case they even ask.”

This quick step serves as valuable proof for your insurer, especially if there’s any later dispute about when or how the damage occurred.

Step 2: Get a Professional Inspection — It’s Usually Free

Even if the dents look minor, it’s worth getting a professional opinion.

“Most body shops offer free inspections and hail damage estimates,” FOX 35 noted.

That’s because hail damage can be deceptive. Small dents may hide structural stress or paint cracks that worsen over time. Getting a certified body shop or paintless dent repair (PDR) specialist to evaluate your car ensures accurate cost estimates and documentation.

Reputable shops can also help you understand whether the damage is extensive enough to warrant a claim — and may even communicate directly with your insurance adjuster during the repair process.

Step 3: Review Your Auto Insurance Coverage

Before filing a claim, check your policy. Hail damage falls under comprehensive coverage, not collision coverage. Comprehensive insurance protects against events beyond your control, including:

• Hail
• Falling objects
• Theft or vandalism
• Fire
• Flooding
• Animal strikes

If you only carry liability insurance (required by law but limited in protection), hail damage won’t be covered. That’s why it’s crucial to maintain comprehensive coverage — especially in areas prone to severe weather.

“Repairs are usually covered,” the report explained, “but you want to check your deductible to see if it’s even worth filing a claim.”

Step 4: Weigh the Cost vs. Deductible

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurer covers the rest. For example, if your deductible is $1,000 and the repair estimate is $1,200, it might not make sense to file a claim.

But if the damage is extensive — say, $3,000 or more — filing is generally worthwhile.

It’s also important to consider hidden or long-term damage. Leaving dents unrepaired can affect your car’s resale value or cause rust and paint deterioration over time. In some cases, even moderate damage may justify a claim simply to preserve the car’s integrity.

Step 5: File Promptly — Don’t Wait Too Long

If you decide to move forward, file your claim quickly. Insurance companies often experience a surge in hail-related claims after major storms, and delays can mean longer wait times for adjusters and repairs.

Most insurers allow you to file online or through mobile apps — and attaching photos or videos (like the footage of hail on the ground) can help speed things up.

Once you file, an insurance adjuster will inspect your vehicle and determine repair costs. Depending on your carrier, they may send you to a preferred repair shop or let you choose your own.

Step 6: Know Your Repair Options

Hail damage is usually repaired in one of two ways:

1. Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)

PDR technicians use specialized tools to massage dents out from behind the panels without repainting. It’s faster, cheaper, and keeps your original factory finish intact.

2. Traditional Auto Body Repair

For deeper dents, cracked paint, or broken glass, standard repair and repainting may be necessary.

Your adjuster will help determine which method is appropriate based on the extent and location of the damage.

Step 7: Avoid Common Claim Mistakes

Even though hail claims are among the most straightforward in auto insurance, small missteps can lead to frustration or denial. Here are a few to avoid:

❌ Failing to Document Damage Immediately

Without timestamped photos or video, it’s harder to prove the hailstorm caused the damage.

❌ Making Temporary Repairs Before Inspection

Wait for your adjuster before fixing dents or replacing parts. Premature repairs can invalidate parts of your claim.

❌ Filing Too Late

Most insurers have strict time limits for reporting hail damage, often 30 to 60 days after the event.

❌ Skipping Comprehensive Coverage to Save Money

In hail-prone regions like Florida or Texas, dropping comprehensive coverage can backfire financially. One storm can cost thousands in repairs.

Step 8: Protect Your Vehicle Before the Next Storm

Hail isn’t just a Midwestern problem — Central Florida has seen a rise in severe thunderstorm activity linked to shifting weather patterns. Prevention remains the best defense.

Here’s how to safeguard your vehicle next time:

• Park in a garage or carport whenever storms are forecast.
• If no shelter is available, cover your vehicle with thick blankets, a car cover, or even cardboard to absorb impact.
• Monitor severe weather alerts using tools like the Fox 35 Storm Team Weather App, which offers customizable notifications for lightning and hail.

“You can stay ahead of these severe storms,” the broadcast reminded viewers, “by downloading the app and getting real-time alerts sent right to your phone.”

The Bigger Picture: Weather Volatility and Insurance Awareness

Hail damage is part of a larger pattern of increasing weather volatility across the U.S. From Florida thunderstorms to California floods and Texas hailstorms, insurers are facing more frequent and costly claims.

That’s one reason comprehensive coverage premiums have been rising. Still, experts emphasize that this coverage remains vital — especially for drivers who depend on their vehicles daily.

The lesson from the February 2024 storm is simple: preparation and documentation are everything.

Key Takeaways

Action StepWhy It MattersInspect and document damage immediatelyProof for insurance and faster claimsGet a professional inspectionEnsures full and accurate repair estimateCheck your deductibleHelps decide whether filing is worthwhileFile quicklyAvoids backlogs and claim delaysUse PDR when possibleSaves time and preserves vehicle valueKeep comprehensive coverageProtects against weather-related losses

Final Thoughts

Hailstorms can feel random and uncontrollable — but your response doesn’t have to be. Acting quickly, documenting thoroughly, and understanding your coverage can turn a stressful event into a smooth recovery.

As FOX 35 Orlando’s report underscored, even small actions — like snapping a short video of hail on the ground — can make a big difference when it comes to protecting your finances.

Your car may not be able to dodge the next storm, but with the right insurance knowledge, you can weather it wisely.