Hail storms can wreak havoc on unshielded cars at any time. Maybe your vehicle has been speckled with dents because of a hail storm. If so, you might be entitled to an insurance settlement for the damages.
If you already have a comprehensive car insurance policy, you likely have coverage for things like theft, natural disasters, and vandalism. In most cases, all you need to do is pay your deductible for repairs and the insurance firm will cover the remaining costs. When your car has been damaged by a hail storm, you need to file for compensation. Here is how to file an insurance claim for hail damage repair.
Documentation Of The Damage
First, you need to record the date and time of the storm immediately it hits your car. Don’t wait since the insurance firm will take issue with the timing and attempt to claim that the dents are caused by something else. The moment it gets safe outside, examine all parts of your vehicle for dates. Snap pictures and even put a timestamp on those images if possible. Having photographic and written proof is vital for the success of your claim.
Call Your Insurer Right After The Storm
It’s imperative that you take the details you’ve collected to your insurance firm in a timely way after the damage. Contact your insurance company to inform them that your car has been affected by the recent storm. Get ready to answer multiple questions. Make sure your response is detailed to increase the chances of getting a claim.
Organize An Inspection With The Adjuster
The insurer might want to book an appointment with their adjuster. Make sure the car is inspected inside your garage and not in the sun. This is because the sun can create some inaccuracies about the dents because of the reflection.
Find A Hail Damage Repair Shop
The moment you’ve been approved for an insurance claim, you can now have the car fixed. It’s important to know that you can select whichever auto body repair company you want. When finding a dent repair shop, you can ask your family and friends for referrals. Look at online reviews, check out with the BBB, and also look at their rates. Once you’ve done your due diligence, choose a service provider that will offer high-quality hail damage repair services.
Indicate to your insurer your chosen auto body repair company. It’s common for the repair expert to ask for an inspection of the damage before starting the work. This is to make sure that the insurance estimate was done accurately and that you have been quoted fair compensation. In case there is a discrepancy in what the insurance adjuster quoted and what the repair expert has found, the professional will handle them by dealing with the insurer directly.
Get The Car Fixed
Once everything is completed, you can now bring in your vehicle for repair. Don’t ignore the dents caused by a hail storm since you invite the risk of more damage and rusting.
