How Storm Damage Can Affect Vehicle Sensors and Cameras

Today’s cars are equipped with sensors and cameras that control a wide range of safety features for drivers like lane departure alerts, automated braking, and even backup sensors. With the sudden hailstorms, rainstorms, and high winds that can come through Colorado Springs without warning, it is entirely possible for your car sensors and cameras to be damaged during a storm season, and this can affect the reliability of the many safety features they are designed to control. When it comes to hail and dent repair in Colorado Springs, Certified Hail is here to help you understand how a storm can impact your car sensors and cameras, and what you should do about it. In this FAQ, we have answered the most common questions from our customers when it comes to storm damage and car sensors and cameras.

Resource: endurancewarranty.com

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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What Types of Storm Damage Affect Vehicle Sensors and Cameras?

Several types of storm damage can affect your car’s sensors and cameras. It can also damage the housings that protect them. Flooding and heavy rain can damage your vehicle’s wiring and electrical components. This may cause sensors to malfunction or stop working. Similarly, you might end up with sensor damage or sensor failure if an electrical surge affects the electrical components in your vehicle. Common locations for storm damage to occur to your vehicle sensors or cameras include:

• Windshield
• Front and rear bumpers
• Exterior mounting points

Colorado Springs weather can damage sensors and cameras in several areas. During an inspection, Certified Hail technicians check each of these locations.

How Do I Know if Car Sensors or Cameras Are Damaged?

In this instance, the warning lights on your car dashboard can alert you to a problem with your vehicle’s ADAS features because they won’t be working correctly.

You might notice that your car acts differently than usual:

• Your vehicle does not brake as quickly as it should
• Other driver-assistance sensors stop working
• Backup sensors fail to engage or continue beeping

Check the following areas for visible damage:

• The windshield
• Cameras and sensor housings on the bumpers
• Cameras and sensors on the side mirrors

Sensor or camera damage is not always visible. An expert inspection can identify problems after a storm.

Can Storm Damage Impact the Cameras on My Car?

Storm damage can damage the camera or sensor systems in your vehicle, and hail damage can crack or damage a windshield-mounted camera. Many newer vehicles place the safety camera behind the windshield. A technician may need to recalibrate the camera after replacing the windshield. Your windshield may appear undamaged after a storm. However, an impact can still misalign the vehicle’s cameras or sensors, causing system errors. Even minor misalignment can affect safety systems.

Is Sensor and Camera Damage Covered by Insurance in Colorado?

Many Colorado residents purchase comprehensive car insurance because of hail storms, and this coverage may pay for recalibration if it is necessary after a collision or hail damage, depending on the policy. You will need to pay your deductible, so know what that is before you file a claim. Take clear photos of the damage to make your life easier, and take notes about warning lights or malfunctioning systems. Many people forget to confirm that recalibration is included in the estimate, and true repair will require recalibration to fully restore functionality. Certified Hail works directly with insurance companies and is happy to help you manage and understand your insurance claim, with no surprises!

Resource: agsc.org

What Does Sensor Recalibration Cost?

Calibration costs vary by your vehicle and system type, but typically fall within a specific price range that reflects how precise this work needs to be. Prices depend on many factors, including your make, model, and vehicle type (car, truck, or SUV), the type of sensor (radar, LIDAR, or camera), and how many sensors you need recalibrated. It is also sometimes cheaper to be static- or dynamic-calibrated, depending on the vehicle and the required repair method. You should usually not skip calibration after repairing or replacing your windshield or other ADAS sensors, because the systems must be calibrated correctly for safe operation.

The cost of ADAS is covered by insurance when you have storm damage covered, so you can expect your insurance to help pay for recalibration, as well. It’s also an investment in your car’s future, since a well-calibrated sensor will provide peace of mind and safety for your vehicle for many years. Certified Hail is proud to offer upfront, clear pricing! You will never be caught off-guard.

How Do I Find a Shop to Repair Storm Damage in Colorado Springs?

When seeking hail damage repair, look for a shop with certified technicians and calibration equipment for ADAS systems. Ask whether the shop performs ADAS calibration in-house, how they verify that their calibration meets manufacturer standards, and how often they perform hail-related repair work. It is important to find a shop that has a good understanding of sensors and cameras, as a poor repair can leave you vulnerable to system failure. It is also a good idea to get a hail damage inspection after every storm so that small dings can be repaired before they become big problems! Have the certifications, training, and equipment to do your ADAS recalibration and repair your vehicle right.

Final Thoughts

Hail and severe weather can damage your vehicle’s sensors and cameras, even when the damage is not visible. If your car was recently caught in a hailstorm, contact Certified Hail to schedule an inspection.