How To Fix Hail Damage On Your Car

Hailstorms are one of the many double-edged swords that Mother Nature throws our way in the winter months. Hailstorms are undeniably beautiful and fun to watch, but they can also cause a lot of damage to your personal property including your vehicle.

Although most hailstorms in Canada are relatively mild, they can become quite severe. Severe, unexpected hailstorms can cause a lot of damage to the roof and hood of your vehicle, ranging from minor scratches to multiple golf ball-sized dents.

If your vehicle was recently damaged by a hailstorm, you most likely want to learn how to fix hail damage on car roofs and hoods. 

Although it can be tricky, fixing dents caused by hail is doable; but you need to have the right tools and know-how.

Continue reading to learn some useful tips that you can use to fix up your hail-damaged car.

How to fix hail damage on car roofs and hoods — 3 useful tips for fixing dents

Fixing hail damage may seem like a difficult task, but there are a number of ways that you can deal with the damage and get your car back in tip-top shape.

These tips include:

• Apply heat to fix minor dents caused by hail
• Use a dent repair kit to fix modest dents caused by hail
• Visit a mechanic to fix severe dents caused by hail

Tip #1 — Apply heat to fix minor dents caused by hail

When it comes to hail damage car roofs and hoods are extremely prone to denting, so you should know what to do after a hailstorm occurs.

If the dents on your vehicle look relatively manageable, you can try to fix them by applying heat. Many drivers do this with items that they have around the house, like hairdryers.

Applying a significant level of heat makes it easier for drivers to “pop” out dents caused by chunks of hail. This is due to the fact that the heat makes the metal more malleable, which allows it to return to its original shape. 

If you choose to apply heat to the dents, make sure that you don’t go overboard; applying too much heat can potentially damage the paint job.

Tip #2 — Use a dent repair kit to fix modest dents caused by hail

If you need to repair hail damage car part suppliers and big box stores will have a potential solution to your problem: car dent repair kits.

Car dent repair kits are relatively cost effective and feature a wide variety of tools that you can use to fix your dented vehicle. These kits are perfect for both small and medium-sized dents, making them a great choice for homeowners that live in an area that’s prone to hailstorms.

Car dent kits often feature tools that use gentle, gradual suction to “pop” dents back into place.

The only downsides to using a car dent kit is that they take patience and require a little bit of know-how. So if you’re not the type of person that likes to take on DIY projects, then you may want to consider our final tip for fixing hail damage on car roofs and hoods.

Tip #3 — Visit a mechanic to fix severe dents caused by hail

If you’re not comfortable fixing hail damage on a car by yourself, you have one final option:  schedule a visit with your local mechanic.

Your local mechanic has the skills, experience and tools required to deal with the most severe dents, dings and other forms of damage. Best of all, you can leave the hard work to them!

The only major downside of going to a mechanic is that the repair process is considerably more expensive. If you’re wondering how much to fix hail damage on your car if you go to a mechanic, you can expect to pay around $1,000 for dents. 

However, in more severe cases, you may end up paying as much as $8,000 to fix your hail-damaged vehicle.

Although this is a lot more expensive than the options that we mentioned earlier, it may be your only option if there are multiple dents in your car.

How to protect your car from hail damage

Now that you know how to fix hail damage on car roofs and hoods, you should learn how to protect your vehicle from potential hail damage. The easiest way to protect your vehicle from hail damage is by parking it in your garage or a protective structure, like a carport.

Parking your car somewhere safe will practically guarantee that your vehicle won’t get damaged by incoming hail.

Parking your car in a garage or carport also minimizes the risk of damage from:

• Snow
• Wind
• Animals
• Falling objects
• Vandalism
• Attempted theft

Does car insurance cover dents caused by hail damage?

Yes, car insurance can cover your repair costs if your vehicle was damaged by a hailstorm, but it depends on the type of coverage that you’ve purchased. 

For instance, certain forms of car insurance like comprehensive coverage, all perils coverage and specified perils coverage (with hail listed as a specified peril) can financially protect drivers from a wide range of risks that can damage your vehicle, like hailstorms. 

If your policy features one of these types of coverages, then your car insurance company can cover all (or a portion) of your repair expenses if your car is damaged by hail.

But, if your policy doesn’t feature one of these types of coverages, you’ll most likely have to cover the repairs out of pocket.

Thankfully, amending your car insurance policy is easier than ever before; all you need to do is contact an online insurance brokerage, like Surex.

Save up to 25% on your insurance premium when you bundle with Surex

If you’re having a hard time finding the right car insurance policy, you should consider teaming up with one of our Surex insurance advisors.

At Surex, we pair you with your own personal advisor who can help you find and compare the most competitive insurance quotes on the market. Not to mention, if you have any questions, our advisors will be by your side helping you find the solution.

Contact us today to start comparing quotes in ten minutes or less! While you’re comparing car insurance quotes, don’t forget to ask about the benefits of bundling. Bundling multiple insurance policies with the same provider is a great way to save; some Surex customers have saved as much as 25% on their premium!

Want to get started? Contact your personal advisor today!