Fixing Hail Damage On Car – The 5 Most Costly Mistakes People Make When Dealing With Car Hail Damage WHITE PAPER It’s easy to lose a lot of money due to hail damage… Here’s what you can do to avoid the pitfalls.

“It’s just super light hail damage. I can barely see it… it’s probably only a few hundred dollars worth of damage, so I don’t think I’d worry about it.”

Fixing Hail Damage On Car

Fixing Hail Damage On Car

“I think I’ll wait until the hail season is over before I fix it… just in case it hails again.

How To Fix Hail Damaged Cars?

“If I see hail damage on my car, the first thing I should do is call my insurance company and file a claim and then do what they tell me to do.”

“If I file a claim for hail damage, they’re going to raise my premium, and that’s just not worth it.”

“PDR and hail are all the same, it really doesn’t matter where I decide to get it fixed.”

Hail damage to cars is not something most people experience often, if at all. Unfortunately, hailstorms are just a part of life in Colorado and Texas. Even so, too many people lose tons of money for no good reason.

Common Questions About Automotive Hail Damage Repair

As a “friend in business” I’d like to reveal some very common mistakes that routinely cost people millions of dollars each year… and how to avoid them so that hopefully your own “hail nightmare” is little more than a minor one hit the road – you will not lose any value and will not spend any money. I will answer some questions that almost everyone has. You might find yourself with a huge smile on your face in a few minutes.

In Colorado and Texas, hailstorms are just a part of life. Too many people lose a lot of money for no good reason.

I’d like to reveal some very common mistakes that routinely cost people millions of dollars every year… and how to avoid them.

Fixing Hail Damage On Car

Mistake #1 “It’s just super light hail damage, I can barely see it…it’s probably only a few hundred dollars worth of damage, so I don’t think I’ll worry about it.”

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Yes, it’s just a cosmetic solution and you may not mind it. However, many people fail to realize in time that very minor hail damage is still devastating to the value of your vehicle. Damage of $5,000-$8,000 is very typical,

Ultimately, while many of us love our vehicles and work hard to keep them beautiful; it’s not just about how your car looks. Your vehicle is like a savings account. In the end, whether you sell it, trade it in, or god forbid you get into an accident…that’s thousands of dollars in value that comes right up front before you see a dime.

If you can recoup $6,000 in lost value by raising your deductible $500 or $1,000 and getting your car fixed… you’re ahead of the game.

Mistake #2 “I think I’ll wait until the hail season is over before I fix it… just in case they show up again.”

What Should You Know About A Car With Prior Hail Damage?

This way of thinking makes sense to many people. Why could this be a mistake? For starters, if you suffer damage from two separate hailstorms or “events” and try to settle it with a single claim, that’s technically insurance fraud. Some people can get away with this maneuver, but you should be aware of the risk.

There are also risks that I would consider a much bigger, more likely problem for you. The second hailstorm that hits your vehicle brings a very high chance of your vehicle going from repairable to totaled. Your car’s metal can only take so much denting before it can’t be restored to its original shape. If a vehicle is totaled due to hail damage, you lose big almost every time.

Also, keep in mind that every time your vehicle is “out of repair” you’re driving around with “pre-existing damage”.

Fixing Hail Damage On Car

While you’re messing with the insurance company, waiting for the adjusters, waiting for the deal to fall through, waiting for the end of the season to have more time, or waiting for any other reason…

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Unfortunately, we observe that this happens to people all too often. We just recently had someone who had $11,000 in hail damage to their vehicle and was intent on having it repaired. Claim filed, estimate in place, they chose our workshop for the repair…but decided for their own reasons that they wanted to wait a few weeks before bringing the vehicle in to actually complete the job.

Meanwhile, they just stopped at a red light, were rear-ended, and when everyone was okay, thank God, the vehicle was totaled. Now it was a $30,000 vehicle that the customer owed about $28,000 on. The insurance paid out $19,000… because the vehicle had $11,000 of hail damage previously and the customer, like most, did not have GAP insurance. Even people who can afford to lose $11,000 don’t like it.

* Every day you wait for the damage to be repaired, even if someone else is responsible for the delay (including your insurance company!)… is another day you have your savings account unguarded in front of everyone, with the door wide open.

Mistake #3 “If I see hail damage on my car, the first thing I should do is call my insurance company and file a claim and then do what they tell me.”

What To Do In The Case Of Hail Damage

This is what most people do and it seems to make sense; after all, you love your agent and have been with them for years! But before you do, ask yourself a serious question:

“Do I really believe that my insurance company wants to pay me as much as possible as quickly as possible?” Hmmm…

After hail damage a large number of vehicles in an area, insurance companies are often overwhelmed with claims. Sometimes you will wait weeks or even months for an adjuster to actually inspect your vehicle, create an “estimate” and offer a bill review.

Fixing Hail Damage On Car

There are a few problems here. First, remember that during this waiting process, you are exposed to potentially losing thousands at any given moment.

Is Hail Damage Covered By Car Insurance?

Second, this initial estimate is rarely a thorough or professional estimate made in the right environment with the right equipment. It is therefore not at all unusual that the initial estimate is 40-50% of the actual damage to the vehicle.

Keep in mind that depending on their situation, many people will take the money and run… and the insurance company is counting on that.

You can take a $4,000 check made out to you and your bank and simply use it to reduce the amount you owe – many people find this a good option. The problem is, if you actually have $7,000 in damages and you accept a $4,000 settlement, you’ve just lost $3,000 and you don’t even know it. You will only find out later when you trade it or have another claim.

Let’s say you understand the value proposition and definitely want to fix your vehicle. Your insurance company will be happy to provide you with the names of repair shops that are on their “preferred dealer” list.

Repairing Your Hail Damage With Bondo In Annapolis

Why is this a problem? Well, at the end of the day, the company on this list pretty much works for the insurance company. I’ll leave you to think about the various implications of that.

For starters, these companies usually won’t be able to pay your deductible for you or help you with a rental car or bend over backwards for you in many ways like a business friend might. They are required to work within certain parameters and work for the benefit of the insurance company in order to continue to send business flow to the insurance company.

I wonder if it’s possible they could simply repair the damage listed in their adjuster’s original estimate? Personally, I prefer to have someone in my corner…someone who isn’t financially motivated by the “other side”.

Fixing Hail Damage On Car

You do NOT have to work with any shop your insurance company recommends, and you definitely DO NOT have to wait months for a repair.

Hail Damage Repair: What To Do If Your Car, Roof Need Fixing

Remember, the longer it takes to restore your car, the greater the chance that the insurance company will win big and you…

Well, not much. The law allows you to choose ANY shop to handle your repairs.

When you work with a reputable automotive hail restoration company that is 110% committed to the best possible end result for YOU… let’s just say you’ll be a lot happier when it’s all said and done.

If you’ve done a little homework and have already picked an excellent, reputable shop to work with (wink-wink-nudge), I would strongly suggest you take your vehicle and drop it off with them ASAP. A great shop should be knowledgeable and willing to contact your insurance company, file a claim on your behalf, and take care of any brain damage.

Don’t Fall For Hail Damage Repair Scams

This indicates to the insurance company that you are serious about the repair. You don’t wait weeks to view it and get it

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