We always need the moisture to help things grow and stay green through the summer heat, but sometimes the rainstorm comes with something we do not want...HAIL.
Hailstorms are one type of weather incident that can sneak up on people as you may think it's just another rainstorm until you hear the pinging or banging of the ice chunks hitting the ground. A hailstorm can quickly come out of nowhere and cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. If your car is parked outside during a bad hailstorm, you might just come outside afterward and discover a lot of dents on your car.
It depends. If you carry the right type of car insurance coverage, your hail damage should be covered by your policy.
When you purchase comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, hail and storm damage to your car should be covered. Comprehensive auto insurance will protect you against theft, vandalism, and even hitting a deer so purchasing “full” coverage could save you a lot of money down the line. If you have basic liability only coverage, your hail damage will not be covered.
The cost for repairing damage from hail to your car can sometimes surprise you. This is because the hail damage is usually spread across the entire vehicle: your roof, trunk, hood, and even side panels. That can create a lot of dents to remove. Hopefully, you will have comprehensive insurance to help cover these costs.
It might seem like just a few dents, but hail damage can really affect the resale value of your car. It will be worth going through the dent removal process to get them taken out. If the damage is really bad, it might even require some auto body work or auto paint.
Your deductible is determined when you purchase car insurance on your vehicle. Most insurance companies require a deductible on comprehensive insurance, but sometimes a zero deductible plan is available. If you have a deductible on your comprehensive coverage, you will need to pay this amount at the time you have your vehicle repaired. The cost to repair your hail damage will almost always exceed your deductible.
If your car has sustained hail damage, call your insurance agent right away. They will tell you the next steps you need to take and advise you how to file. You may be able to file the claim right there on the phone. Make sure you take photos so that you have evidence of the damage for both your insurance company and your own records. You will likely have to fill out a claim form. Your agent will advise you on when to seek a repair estimate.
Hail damage is an “Act of God” that should not affect your insurance premiums.
Revive Auto Body & Paint can repair any hail damage to your car, but we are also happy to help you with handling your insurance claims. We want to help you get your car back like new as soon as possible.
Revive Auto Body & Paint is the top auto body repair shop in Bozeman, Montana. We provide collision repair, dent removal, and auto body painting in the local area to customers from Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Big Sky, Gallatin Gateway, Livingston, and more. Contact us today for a free estimate to fix your vehicle back to new.
Ready to bring professional experience and guidance to your next project? Give us a call or send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible!