Hail is one of the most common types of insurance claims. Luckily, if you have good coverage, your auto insurance should cover the cost of repairing hail damage to your vehicle. But what does hail damage really mean? And why do you need it repaired?
Even if you have minimal or no visible damage, there can be hidden problems that are not immediately apparent. And while that’s true for all cars, it becomes even more important for those with a high resale value. There are many factors that go into determining the overall value of a car including year, make, model, mileage, and condition. However, when hail is not properly repaired it can cause significant depreciation in your vehicle’s value. Read on to find out how you can protect your car’s value from getting damaged by hail!
What is Hail Damage
Hail is one of the most common types of weather-related damage to cars. If you live in an area that experiences this type of severe weather, then there is a chance your car could be damaged by hail.
Hail can cause real damage to your car, but luckily if you have good coverage, your insurance should cover the cost of repairing hail damage. Hail damage can be a little tricky to spot and often times reveals itself after a storm. The most common type of hail damage is dents on the exterior or interior of a car, but it can also include window glass being shattered or even entire panels being knocked off completely.
Keep reading for three reasons why hail can cause significant depreciation in your vehicle’s value!
How does hail damage my vehicle value?
When hail comes into contact with your car, there are two main types of damage that will occur: surface and structural. When the hail hits the exterior of your vehicle, it can cause scratches and damage to the paint job. This is what we would call surface damage.
On the other hand, structural hail damage refers to the internal damages that come from a strong impact or direct hit. These damages can be or include:
– Cracks in windows and windscreens
– Loose panels
– Airbag sensor damage
– Broken taillights and headlights
Should I get my car repaired after a hailstorm?
The short answer is yes, you should. If you have incurred hail damage to your car, it needs to be repaired. Hail is one of the most frequent kinds of car insurance claims and can do serious damage to your vehicle if not properly repaired.
It’s best to get your car repaired by an expert to ensure that the process is done correctly.
Let’s say that your GMC Acadia has $6,000 worth of hailstorm damage. A GMC dealership would likely offer $23,000; if the vehicle has hail damage, however, they may offer you $17,000. That’s a huge hit on the value of the vehicle!
So what does this mean? It means that even minimal or no-visible damage has hidden problems that are not immediately apparent; and while this might be true for all cars, it becomes even more important for those with high resale values.
Signs of hail damage
There are three main signs to look out for when determining if your vehicle has been hit by hail:
– Scratched or cracked paint
– Deep gouges in the paint
– Dull, flat, or chalky appearance on the paint
If you notice any of these signs, there’s a good chance that your car has been damaged by hail. And you need to have it repaired immediately. Avoiding hail damage will help protect the value of your car and make it easier to resell in the future.
Is hail damage covered by auto insurance
Auto insurance is meant to help in the event of damage to your vehicle. If you’ve had hail damage, your insurance company should cover the cost of repairing it.
If you have comprehensive coverage, the damage is typically covered. Comprehensive coverage covers any non-collision-related damages, like hail. If you only have liability coverage, the repairs will only be covered if there are visible signs of damage to your car.
A lot of people don’t think they need hail protection because they live in an area where it’s not common or they don’t own a car that’s worth anything (a new Honda Civic vs. a Bentley). However, even if your car doesn’t seem like it would be worth much, hail can cause significant depreciation in its value. Typically, cars with high resale value will depreciate significantly when there is damage from hail that goes unrepaired.
How to find out if hail damage has been repaired successfully
You can easily find out if hail damage has been repaired with a quick test. Inspect your car and look for:
1. Dents in the surface of the hood and body panel
2. Cracks in headlights or taillights
3. Diminished appearance of paint due to chipping
4. A lack of visual symmetry on panels, around the grill or headlights
5. A lack of tightness at seams, where panels connect together
6. Water droplets inside the car near the outside air vents may indicate that hail has entered through an air vent
Conclusion
Hail storms can be devastating to the body of your car. The severity of the storm, the size of the stones, and the damage to your car all depend on what you encounter. Hail damage is a common occurrence after a storm and is something that needs to be repaired. It can affect your vehicle’s value and it may not be covered by insurance. If your car was damaged in a hailstorm, be sure to get it repaired before selling or trading in your vehicle.
