by Lydia Archival | Jul 7, 2018 | Dent Repair, Hail Damage
Dents and dings can make your car look ugly. Most likely, this is a result of crowded parking lots and bad weather. Want to get rid of them? If you want your car to look new again, then you have two options. You can either choose a Sioux Falls Body Shop or a dent repair technician. Ultimately, your decision will depend on how extreme the damage is. If the damage is massive and the paint has been damaged then a Sioux Falls Body Shop might be your best option. However, for slight damages such as a door ding, minor dent, or hail damage, the best choice is Paintless Dent Removal.
Why Choose a PDR Company Over Sioux Falls Body Shop
By choosing a PDR company over Sioux Falls Body Shop, you will be able to maintain the original factory paint of your car. There are a lot of excellent body shop painters out there, however, they can never match the high-tech painting process being used at the factory. Paintless dent repair can save you time since dents can be fixed quickly using highly specialized tools. It can also save you money from rentals and material expenses. With PDR, you won’t have to worry about paint mismatch. At the same time, you can preserve the resale value of your vehicle if you are planning to sell or trade your car in the future. Since no paint or harmful chemicals are used, then this process is environmentally safe. PDR is highly recommended by auto manufacturers and insurance companies.
Why Sioux Falls Body Shop Is Less Convenient Than Paintless Dent Repair
Keep in mind that if you bring your car to a body shop, then you’ll have to wait for weeks or more before it can be done. Body repair tends to be more expensive compared to PDR. In traditional repair, the painting has to be redone. This means that there is a risk of paint mismatch which can affect the resale value of your vehicle.
Sioux Falls Body Shop are best fit for major damage that has cracked the paint. For minor dents, you can always rely on PDR. To request for a free estimate, just call 605-595-4061!
by adminsioux | Jun 7, 2018 | Hail Damage
My Car Was Hit With Hail, Now What?
Before a hail storm, there are several preventative measures you can take to minimize the damage to your vehicle. You can read up on prep before a hail storm here. Unfortunately, many of us aren’t so ‘fortunate’ or ‘lucky’ to have that kind of time to prepare. In the event that you are caught off guard by a hail storm seek immediate shelter and wait until it passes. Once it is clear you can begin gathering information for your insurance providers, and start search for Sioux Falls hail repair experts near you!
First, gather as much information as you can. Start by taking pictures of the damage. You’ll want to make sure everything is in clear lighting and easy to see. A little bit of dirt or glare can easily hide some pretty serious dings. Jot down other important info such as license plate numbers.
Next, call your insurance provider. Let them know the full extent of the damage, and provide them the pictures you took earlier. This will help you determine whether or not to file a claim. For instance, if the damage does not exceed your deductible limit then you will be charged the full amount for repairs. In some cases it may be best to forgo the claim.
Finally, the search for your perfect Sioux Falls hail repair team near you begins. Look for a company that is trustworthy and reliable. Word of mouth is going to be your best resource, but you can often find reviews online. As for the techs themselves, you should find someone that enjoys what they do. Otherwise they may neglect their equipment or be out of practice.
The Best Tech in Town
Sioux Falls Dent Repair provides professional quality dent removal services to residents near and around the Sioux Falls area. If you need dents, hail, or minor collision repair, we are the safest, fastest, and most affordable option available. You can schedule a free damage estimate with us today by calling 605-595-4061 or by filling out our online contact form!
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.
