The damage left by hailstorms can be a tremendous problem for automobile owners. Hail can cause severe dents, damage to body panels, and broken glass, resulting in a costly repair bill. It is always the best action to bring your hail-damaged vehicle to a professional body shop or hail-damage repair expert. However, a few simple methods and some essential knowledge can help you, the vehicle owner, assess the damage to your vehicle’s body and determine whether repairs are necessary.
1. Understanding Hail Damage
Understanding what hail damage looks like is essential before we get into the details of assessing it. Minor dents and dimples typify the effect of hail on a vehicle’s surface, with the intensity and size of the effect varying depending on the size of the hailstones and the intensity of the storm.
2. Tools You’ll Need
You will need some essential equipment to complete a do-it-yourself hail damage evaluation. First, grab a flashlight; you will need illumination to do this work. Then, get your hands on a magnifying glass to help you determine the extent of the dents. Finally, find a soft, clean cloth, which you will need to wipe the vehicle’s surface down and remove any residue that might affect your ability to see the impact of the hail.
3. Assessing the Damage
Begin by thoroughly inspecting your car in a bright space. Use the light from your flashlight to illuminate the sides and body, angling the light to highlight all discrepancies. The only way to see is to look and keep looking as you work your way around the vehicle. That is the objective, and doing it well gets results. When you pass the light over the car in this way, you will find dents that might not be seen otherwise. Some dents can be passed right over if you don’t know what you’re looking for or looking at.
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4. Documenting the Damage
After you’ve inspected your car for hail damage, you should take photos of what you find. A picture can capture details that your eye might miss and serve as a record of what your car looked like before repairs were made. Plus, they can provide a visual aid when talking with an insurance adjuster or a car repair shop.
5. Seeking Professional Help
Although it can be helpful to inspect your car for hail damage to spot the most prominent areas affected, the wisest path to take is to enlist the help of an expert—a certified technician who can evaluate your car or truck and form an accurate repair plan. The pros have years of experience and a set of trusty, specialized tools at their disposal, and they are also well-versed in performing hail damage repair the right way so your ride looks as it did before the storm hit.
Final Thoughts
Assessing the hail damage to your car after a hailstorm with your own two eyes can give you an excellent first impression of how severe the situation is. However, a DIY inspection can also prove beneficial in more ways than just one. For instance, you might have to pay a customized deductible, so you have the right to know the work your insurance company will put into repairing your vehicle.
Contact Certified Hail today for reliable and efficient solutions if you’re looking for expert hail damage repair services!
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