Hail damage repairs can seem like a pretty daunting process. Here at Quality 1st, we have been through it all and seen it all when it comes to these repairs. Hopefully this article helps answer some questions you may have. As always, reach out to us if you have any additional questions or if you need any help! We are here to serve the community!
How long will it take to fix my hail car?
The short answer is- it all depends. There are a number of factors that go into a hail repair including parts ordering and replacement, insurance processing, and possibly some combination work that includes paint & bodywork. On average, including processing time, our claims are opened and closed within 1 week from drop off. Sometimes this can only take a day or two. More complex claims with combination work can take a little bit longer. Thankfully, we are able to streamline those repairs as well due to our great relationships with our body shop partners! When you drop off your vehicle for repairs, you will be well-aware of the repair plan and estimated completion timeframe. If there are any hurdles during any step of the repairs, you will be made aware and kept fully up-to-date.
Will filing a hail claim affect my insurance rates?
Hail damage falls under the comprehensive portion of your full coverage insurance. Comprehensive claims, or Acts of God, are those claims that are not your fault. These include hail, wind, flood, vandalism, etc. Because you are not at fault in these situations, comprehensive claims do not make your rates increase.
So, by filing your hail claim, you are fully utilizing your insurance policy and maintaining the value of your vehicle.
Will my hail damage repair show up on my Carfax?
The real answer to this question is that it may or it may not. Carfax is a third party organization and some insurance companies have different relationships with Carfax.
Hail repairs are considered a cosmetic repair and should not be reported. Here at Quality 1st, we do not report it.
That being said, sometimes insurance companies have been known to "auto report" in their systems.
As a courtesy, we offer complimentary Carfax reports for our customers. If we fix your hail damage, you can come by after 3 months (usually it would show up by then), and we will print out your most recent report.
If anything gets reported, we can submit documentation to help you get it removed!
What does it cost to fix my hail damage?
Every hail claim is different. Some cars received a direct hit on all of the panels. Some cars were mostly under cover and only have a few dents. Some vehicles received damage from larger hail stones making the repairs more complex and involved. It all depends.
On the lower end, repairs can cost around $1,500. These can be done within a day or two typically. A typical claim averages around $5,000-$6,000. Some of the more severe repairs we have facilitated have reached as high as $12,000-$14,000.
It is very important to choose a repair facility that knows how to properly write and document hail damage to ensure that every operation that needs to be included, is. Combination jobs usually have parts to be replaced and cracked paint to notate from larger dents. If you don't properly repair those dents, the cracked paint can flake and the panel can rust. Experience with these estimates really comes into play.
Even the lesser repairs are typically more expensive than your deductible- so it is almost always "worth it" to file a claim. Why let the value of your vehicle suffer for a repair that is included in your policy?
Should I Buy a Hail Damaged Vehicle?
This is completely up to you! The majority of the time, hail damage is purely cosmetic. If the discounts you receive are enough to make you not care about the dents, you should go for it!
However, sometimes the discounts that are offered do not cover the full repair cost. The savings on the front end when you buy the vehicle might not be enough to cover the dent removal afterwards.
Our recommendation is to get a full assessment done if you are considering purchasing a vehicle with hail damage. This can provide you with some peace of mind that the vehicle you're purchasing won't cost more to fix than the discount they are offering you.
If you purchased a hail damaged vehicle and want an assessment, we are happy to give you a hand!
Hail Damage is a Complicated Process- Quality 1st Has the Experts to Handle it All!
Book Now! We have a few immediate openings for estimates and repairs!
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