Quick Answer: How Is Hail Damage Repaired?
The short version
Most hail dents are repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR), which keeps your factory paint. If hail has cracked the paint, or stretched the metal too far, those panels also need paint repair. Cost depends on how many dents there are and which panels they are on, from around $600 for a light hit to $4,000 or more for severe damage. If your repair estimate is close to your insurance deductible, it is worth comparing before you open a claim.
How to Tell How Bad the Damage Is
Walk around the car in the shade or on an overcast day. Then look again from a low angle with a light held to the side, which shows dents your eye misses in direct sun.
- Count the dents on each panel. Hood, roof, trunk and the tops of fenders take the worst of it.
- Check the paint. Run a fingertip over dents. Cracks or chips mean paint repair is needed on top of the dent work.
- Look at the glass, trim and lights. Those are separate from body repair and may need a different shop or an insurance claim.
- Take photos. Wide shots of each side and close-ups of the worst dents. You need them for a quote and for an insurer.
Can Hail Damage Be Fixed Without Repainting?
In most cases, yes. Hail leaves round dents with soft edges and usually does not break the paint. PDR technicians work the metal back from behind the panel with specialist tools, one dent at a time, so the factory finish stays on the car.
Where PDR is not enough:
- Paint is cracked or chipped at the dent
- Dents are deep or stretched, or sit on a panel edge
- The panel has been hit so many times that the metal is too stretched to bring back
Those panels are repaired with paint work or replaced. A technician can tell from your photos or an on-site inspection which panels fall where.
Typical Hail Damage Repair Costs
| Level of damage | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Light hail: a few dozen small dents | $600 to $1,500 |
| Moderate hail: many dents over the hood, roof and trunk | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Severe hail: hundreds of dents across the whole car | $4,000 or more |
These are typical US ranges to help you plan, not a fixed price or a quote. Your price depends on your vehicle and the damage, and we confirm it from your photos before you book.
Aluminum panels, roofs, deep dents and panels that need paint repair push the price up. Our mobile hail damage repair service starts with an on-site inspection under LED lighting.
Hail Damage and Your Insurance
Hail is normally covered under comprehensive insurance, after your deductible. How it plays out depends on your policy, so check with your insurer. Some general points:
- If the repair estimate is close to or below your deductible, paying for it yourself may make more sense than opening a claim.
- If damage is extensive, a claim is likely the better route.
- Get your repair quote first. It tells you what the damage really costs to fix and gives you a figure to compare with the insurer.
- Keep photos of the damage and the date of the storm.
We are a repair service, not an insurance adviser, so confirm cover and process with your insurer.
What to Do in the First Week After a Hailstorm
- Photograph everything the same day if you can, with the date.
- Move the car under cover if more storms are forecast.
- Check for cracked paint and glass and cover any bare metal if the weather is wet.
- Get a quote by sending photos, so you know the scope of the work.
- Decide on insurance using the quote and your deductible.
- Book early. After a big storm, repair slots fill up fast.
Hail Repair in Houston and Dallas
North Texas sees the heaviest hail in spring, and Houston and the Gulf Coast get storms too. After a major storm, demand for dent repair jumps, so it pays to send your photos early. Hail repair is available in Houston and Dallas and nearby suburbs. For smaller dents from parking lots and doors, see our guide to paintless dent repair cost. For how we quote, see how we quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover hail damage?
Hail is usually covered by comprehensive insurance, subject to your deductible and policy terms. Check with your insurer about your own cover and how to file.
How long does hail repair take?
A light hit can often be done in a day. Moderate and severe damage takes several days, depending on the number of dents and the panels involved.
Does PDR work on a roof?
Often yes. Roofs are accessible for PDR, but roof rails, braces and aluminum roofs make some dents harder to reach.
Will hail dents affect my car value?
Visible dents lower resale and trade-in value. Repairing them with PDR keeps the original paint, which helps preserve value.
Can you repair hail damage at my home?
Yes, for most jobs. Our technicians work in your driveway or workplace lot. Very large jobs may be done over several visits.
Should I wait for the insurance adjuster before getting a quote?
You can get a quote at any time. It helps you understand the cost, and it is useful to have in hand when you talk to your insurer.