What to Do When Your Car Is Damaged by Hail?
4 Answers
Do not move the vehicle. Locate the vehicle insurance policy to check if it includes collision coverage. If the car is within the insurance period, you must report the claim to the insurance company within 24 hours. Unlike other auto insurance claims, many insurance companies require the car owner to provide a weather certificate for hail damage. Take the car to an authorized repair facility or a 4S shop for repairs. The owner must pay the cost upfront, and the insurance company will then transfer the reimbursement to the corresponding bank card.
I also encountered hail damage to my car a couple of years ago, with the windshield covered in spider-web cracks. The first thing I did was to move the car to an indoor parking lot to prevent further damage. Remember to use your phone to take comprehensive photos of the hail size and detailed damage to the car, especially close-ups of dents on the sunroof and hood. Contact your insurance company to file a claim within 24 hours, and make sure to accompany the adjuster during the on-site inspection to explain the situation. If you opt for paintless dent repair, small dents can be popped out effectively, but extensive damage will still require panel beating and repainting. My neighbor regretted not filing a claim due to the cost, only to find the roof rusting later. Before the rainy season, it's best to cover your car with a thick car cover, which can be bought for just a few dozen yuan at wholesale markets.
Don't panic when hail damages your car—I've handled this three or four times. The key steps are: don't move the vehicle, immediately take photos for evidence, and save the weather report. When calling insurance, request they document the hail damage classification—some areas require meteorological bureau certification. Avoid rushing to roadside repair shops; dealerships cost more but minimize impact on resale value. One year I chose a cheap quick-fix shop, and the paint bubbled over dent repairs within six months. Replace windshields immediately if cracks exceed 5cm—night driving becomes hazardous. For loose side mirrors from hail strikes, transparent tape provides the most reliable temporary fix based on my experience.
Last year, my Golf was hit by hail, leaving over thirty dents, and I've summarized some practical tips. Dry ice treatment works amazingly well for tiny dents, but for those larger than a coin, professional dent pulling is necessary. If the sunroof is hit, be sure to check if the rails are deformed—I only discovered my sunroof was leaking after the hailstorm. When repairing, insist on keeping the original factory paint, as repainted areas tend to peel off. Actually, filing an insurance claim within three days after the hailstorm is the most cost-effective, and some repair shops can even help with subrogation. After repairs, remember to do a full car disinfection, as hail often carries acidic substances that can corrode the paint.
