by adminsioux | Jun 4, 2018 | Hail Damage
My Car Was Struck With Hail, What Now?
There are a few steps you should take before filing your claim. First, you should take pictures of the damage from as many angles as you can, in the best light you can find. This will help your insurer and dent repair company prepare a quote, so be diligent. Next, contact your insurance provider. Let them know the extent of the hail damage, and provide pictures if you can. Finally, you can start searching for you preferred Sioux Falls auto hail repair team!
Do You Work With Insurance Companies?
Many of our customers go through their insurance companies to file large claims on hail damage. This is usually a great idea, since it can save you a ton on multiple dents and dings. Just make sure you have the right coverage. Comprehensive insurance covers most ‘non-accident’ incidents including theft, vandalism, and of course, hail damage. We love helping clients navigate their way through the complicated process of filing for an insurance claim. Our hope is to make getting your Sioux Falls auto hail repair as streamlined and easy as possible.
Will Making a Claim on Hail Damage Increase My Rates?
Rising insurance rates are a great concern for many modern drivers. It seems like every little bump or bruise can cause them to skyrocket. Luckily, making a claim on hail damage will never increase your rates as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Since hail falls under the category of ‘other than collision,’ you will only have to pay the deductible amount. However, sometimes the damage may not be worth making a claim over if the repair cost does not exceed the deductible. This often leads to drivers avoiding hail repair. Ultimately, you get to make the final decision as to whether or not your car needs repairs. Just keep in mind that if you decide to forgo Sioux Falls auto hail repair, that amount will be deducted from you next claim as well.
by adminsioux | May 7, 2018 | Hail Damage
What Are Your Options?
When it comes to body damage, dents are far from the worst the road has to offer. However, hail damage is an entirely different story. Nothing leaves such a recognizable trail of mayhem. If you have some hail damage that needs repairs then you may find yourself weighing some options.
Do It Yourself
DIY techniques have a bad history with Brandon hail damage repair technicians. Far too often we see customers bring in cars after a failed DIY attempt. They try fixing the dent themselves with some ice and a hair dryer at home only to move the dents around and crack the paint, causing further damage. Often, this makes PDR impossible to perform. Overall, we strongly disagree with do it yourself techniques. However, if you feel experienced enough then by all means, treat yourself to free repairs.
A Dent Kit
Now, there’s nothing wrong with purchasing a dent kit for practice. You can easily find a quality starter set of off-the-shelf tools for relatively cheap. The only problem is these tools won’t magically make you a PDR expert in an instant. It takes years of practice to understand and years more to perfect. Needless to say, don’t practice on your own vehicle. If you’re serious about learning PDR then consider getting an old clunker or some sheet metal to start practicing.
Professional Service
When it comes down to securing the resale value of your car hiring a professional is the safest way to go. Many bring their car to professionals so they don’t void the warranty on their vehicle. In many states where hail damage is common, PDR is actually the preferred method by most insurance companies. Our Brandon hail damage repair experts are extremely quick, offer affordable services, and rarely need to use paint. You can leave your car with a professional confident that it will receive the treatment it deserves.
Ultimately, you decide how your car is repaired. Will you risk your paint job and go with a DIY technique that is practically free? Or would you prefer to stick with the professionals and know that your car is in safe hands? If you still have second thoughts or aren’t sure your damage is eligible for PDR call us today at 605-595-4061 to learn more!
by adminsioux | Apr 6, 2018 | Hail Damage
The Dangerous Potential of Hail
Hail is one of the largest contributors of property damage in the U.S. It haunts every state in the country and causes nearly $1 billion in losses each year. It’s very possible you could return to a completely cratered car with broken glass and maybe even some internal damage. So, needless to say, you don’t want your vehicle to get caught in a hail storm. Unfortunately, the Midwestern United States experiences far more severe hail storms than any other part of the nation so totally avoiding it may not be an option. So what exactly are your options?
Brandon Hail Damage and Your Car Insurance
Your auto insurance policy determines what kinds of damage your vehicle is protected against. Generally speaking you’ll need comprehensive coverage if you want to be protected against most liability free causes. This includes, of course, hail damage as well as:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Natural disaster
- Falling objects
- Fires
- Animals
If you take care of your car it will take care of you. We advocate for comprehensive coverage so much because dents and dings are really that serious. Exposed damage is the perfect host for rust and corrosion so make sure you can respond to hail as fast as you can with thorough protection.
Minimize Your Exposure to the Elements
The best way to protect your car against Brandon hail damage is to totally avoid it. A little bit of caution can go a long way. Try these helpful tips to protect your car during the next hail storm.
- If you are lucky enough to pass by covered parking or a garage then take advantage of it.
- Even if you can’t find covered parking pull over because it will reduce the hail’s impact.
- Invest in a car cover. They come in handy more than you think.
- Sheets, blankets, and pillows make great cushioning if you don’t have a car cover.
- If you don’t have a car cover and you don’t have blankets
These tips might not prevent all Brandon hail damage but they will certainly help. Now all that’s left is to take care of the stragglers. Call Sioux Falls Dent Repair today at 605-595-4061 and we’ll pop out those leftover dents no problem!
by adminsioux | Mar 7, 2018 | Educational, Hail Damage
Everybody loves a new car. The smooth handling, flawless finish, clean interior. But there is one fatal flaw with every factory fresh vehicle: The price. The average rate for a new car in America hovers somewhere around $35,000-36,000. For most this is a pretty hefty chunk of change so you’ll be scrambling for every deal you can find. Then suddenly, you see it! The car of your dreams in all of its dimpled glory. Everyone sells their car for a reason. Maybe they need the extra cash for a new ride or they’re just looking to clear up some garage space. Regardless, it’s important to remember that all sellers have one goal in mind. To make money. That being said, here are a few reasons their Sioux Falls hail damaged car is being sold at such a discounted price.
Hail can take a real toll on your car, often damaging windows or paint in the process. Rain water can leak through these cracks and cause much more severe internal damage that isn’t easy to detect. If the paint or windows are chipped be very cautious and have a few mechanics give you a damage estimate.
- The Repairs Outweigh the Value
If the damage is minor most sellers will simply repair it and take the small loss. But if the repairs require repainting and body work then they will likely weigh the difference and cut their losses. That’s why many sellers don’t disclose damage costs; or at least why you shouldn’t trust their estimates right away. Which leads me to my next point.
- Dealers Don’t Need to Disclose Damage
Dealers don’t need to disclose what it will take to repair the car within certain thresholds. This is actually a grey area for several reasons. Getting the damage appraised by two or three body shops is the best way to understand the true cost. Almost all of them offer free estimates.
- Internal and External Damage
Paint jobs and repairs are expensive and dealerships know this. Most sellers in Sioux Falls would rather pull a fast one on somebody than let their car go to a paint shop. Especially if the work requires the time of two separate technicians.
- Make Sure The Discount is Reflective of the Damage
Many sellers will offer you what sounds like a steal. $2000 off a $35,000 car, who wouldn’t love that?! However, it’s hardly worth it if the hail damage drops your ride’s value by $5000. You’re essentially losing out on $3000!
- Insurance Coverage and False Claims
There are a handful of drivers that buy hail damaged cars in Sioux Falls just to take advantage of their insurance. Most do this by purchasing a car with hail damage, waiting for another storm, and filing their claim then. Unless your insurance company inspects your vehicle upon purchase it is very easy to get away with this. Unfortunately this makes it difficult to get a discount as well.
When you file a claim on your insurance that record is added to your vehicle damage report. This is sort of like a credit report that follows your car around no matter where it goes. If you file a claim on the damage right away it will be harder to get a discount on future damage. Luckily, Sioux Falls Dent Repair can fix hail damage without affecting your vehicle damage reports. Call us today at 605-595-4061 to learn more!
- Consider the Diminished Value
It might seem obvious at first, but many drivers in Sioux Falls looking for a steep discount on a hail damaged car forget that, when they sell it, it is still a hail damaged car. Other buyers will want a discount just as much as you did so don’t expect a lot on the return value.
Remember, these tips are far from the only things you should watch for when buying a hail damaged car, but hopefully they are enough to get you started. As a sort of summary or basic guide here are a few highlights to keep in mind.
- Nobody is trying to give you a discount. Everyone wants to make money so they’re selling that car at a low price for a reason. Your goal should be to find all of those reasons.
- Make sure the numbers add up. Sellers can throw all of the bloated numbers and silver tongued estimates they want at you. But if you’re cautious and do all the math yourself you’ll be fine.
- Check with your insurance providers before buying. You don’t want to be caught in a storm a few months later just to find out that your damage report is hold you back from filing a claim.
by adminsioux | Mar 2, 2018 | Hail Damage
Why Buy a Hail Damaged Car Anyway?
After driving your first clunker and adding up 200,000 miles it’s time to pick up a new car with a little less wear and tear. If you don’t care about a few dents and dings then hail damage can help you strike a huge deal on the car of your dreams. But there are a few important details to watch out for to prevent your new ride from becoming an expensive hunk of junk down the road. Call our Brandon hail repair team today at 605-595-4061 to learn more.
Watch Out For:
- Cracked Paint – Modern cars use new urethane paints to protect its metal panels from the elements. This prevents rust and corrosion. If you are looking to buy a hail damaged car make sure none of the dents have chipped the paint. Afterward, check to see if the dings can be repaired with PDR. Our Brandon hail repair techs could save you a lot of money in the long run!
- Broken Windows – Hail can easily crack or even shatter windshields. This can be very dangerous to the electronics in the car. If rain water leaks through the cracks it can damage the modules and center console. Make sure there is a warranty to protect the electrical system, even if the windshield was replaced.
How To Keep Hail Damage From Biting Back Later
So you’ve settled on the car, weighed the pros and cons, and are pretty sure you’re getting a good deal. Next, go see the car for yourself if you haven’t yet. Many sellers skew their information in shady practices. Repair estimates, service history, and the true damage could be intentionally misrepresented to make a quick buck. Here are a few steps you can take to be extra cautious of your purchase:
- Get a quote from a Brandon hail repair team first. If the car is two grand and the repairs are twice that then you didn’t get a deal. You can get a free estimate by calling 605-595-4061.
- Make sure the car is still eligible for comprehensive insurance. This will protect it from further damage.
- If you want to finance the car make sure your lender will finance hail damage.
by adminsioux | Jan 22, 2018 | Hail Damage
Sioux Falls Hail Damage Repair
Once you’re caught in a hail storm you might as well forget about avoiding the damage. You can prevent future dents with a little bit of preparation but often it’s too late. Sioux Falls Dent Repair is the leading repair team in hail damage and dent removal. With years of experience in hail damage, small dents, large dents, motorcycle repair, and much more we have prepared ourselves to handle any kind of PDR damage you could conjure up.
A Team Dedicated to Results
Our specialty here at Sioux Falls Dent Repair is fixing extensive hail damage. If your car was caught in one of the recent hail storms then our experienced team and advanced technology can return your car to its factory fresh condition 100% satisfaction guaranteed! Restore your car to its pre-damaged condition today with our Sioux Falls hail damage repair team!
- Highly Trained Technicians – Sioux Falls hail damage repair technicians continue their training while they work. This maintains a consistent level of quality while supporting innovation in techniques.
- Advanced Dent Removal Technology – We provide our Sioux Falls hail damage repair team with top-of-the-line equipment to supplement their skills. Now, the team can complete repairs in a matter of hours without risk of scratching or scarring.
- Retain Your Resale Value – Dents and dings are the leading cause of resale depreciation in most vehicles. Therefore, we’ve adopted a non-invasive process that doesn’t affect the factory finish of your car.
- Insurance Approved – Since paintless dent repair is a non-invasive process it won’t affect your vehicle negatively in anyway. If you have comprehensive coverage then most Sioux Falls insurance companies will allow you to make a claim on the damage. This means the repairs could come at little or no cost to you!
Our hail damage repair process begins with a damage assessment. For your free estimate call 605-595-4061 today!
How To Keep Hail Damage From Biting Back Later