Golf-ball size hail or larger can cause severe damage to your vehicle, creating deep dents, cracked glass, or damaged paint. This damage could require pounding out dents, filling in dents, sanding, and repainting. In some cases, insurers could decide to replace a body panel rather than repair it.
Why don't car dealers fix Hail damaged cars?
Sometimes, however, the cost of repairs exceeds the expected profit from selling the hail-damaged cars as-is, so the dealer opts not to fix the vehicles. In addition, hail damage can't always be repaired paintless, such as when the paint is stretched or cracked. In rare cases, damage may even extend to the car's functionality.
How does hail damage your roof?
As hail grows in circumference, it gets heavier, falls harder and becomes more dangerous. When hail is this size, it can do significant damage in even the shortest periods. If your area is ever affected by hailstones this size, there will likely be some damage to your roof.
How do I know if my car has hail damage?
Running the car through an electronic background check may pull up undisclosed damage as well. Just plug the automobile's vehicle identification number into Carfax, AutoCheck or a similar site. You should also ask your insurance agent if the hail damage puts your comprehensive insurance at risk.
What happens if you don't report hail damage to insurance?
If the hail damage remains undocumented, your insurance may deduct the hail damage from any future accident claim. For example, if a fender bender results in a $2,000 claim, you may only receive $500 if you have $1,500 in unreported hail damage.
What happens if a hailstorm damages a car?
If a hailstorm damaged the dealer's entire inventory, they may have little choice but to sell the cars without repairs to recoup as much money as possible, especially they don't have undamaged cars to pick up the sales slack. Thus, the dealer might be more desperate than you, which works in your favor.
How much does it cost to fix a hail damaged car?
Fixing the Damage: As of 2018, the average cost to repair a hail-damaged car is $2,500, though this figure varies widely from shop to shop. Individual dents can cost anywhere from $30 to $80 to repair, depending on their size. It's a good idea to keep these figures in mind when mulling over a hail-damaged car.
Can a dealer sell hail damaged cars?
As such, a dealer may sell hail-damaged cars as they are.
Can hail damage be repaired?
In addition, hail damage can't always be repaired paintless, such as when the paint is stretched or cracked. In rare cases, damage may even extend to the car's functionality.
Can you deduct hail damage from insurance?
If the hail damage remains undocumented, your insurance may deduct the hail damage from any future accident claim. For example, if a fender bender results in a $2,000 claim, you may only receive $500 if you have $1,500 in unreported hail damage.
Does insurance cover hail damage?
Your agent may give you coverage for the current damage but not future damage from hail, so you may have to take extra care to protect your car going forward, such as by keeping it in the garage when not in use. If the hail damage remains undocumented, your insurance may deduct the hail damage from any future accident claim.
Is hail damage a good car?
Try to see through those techniques to the true value of the car. Hail-damaged vehicles can be a good option for a first car. If you just need basic transportation, a series of dents won't matter. Students, folks who don't drive much and people on a tight budget can all benefit from hail sales.
