Sioux Falls Dent Repair

Yes — as long as you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. Hail is considered an act of nature, which falls under comprehensive, not collision. You will be responsible for paying your deductible, but your insurer covers the approved repair costs beyond that. If you only carry liability insurance, unfortunately hail damage is not covered. Not sure what you have? Call your agent before you come in — we are happy to help you understand what to expect.

In most cases, no. Because hail damage falls under comprehensive coverage — not collision — it is generally not treated as an at-fault incident, and most insurers do not raise your premiums for a single comprehensive claim. However, policies vary by carrier and state, so we always recommend confirming directly with your agent. Do not let the fear of a rate increase stop you from filing a legitimate claim you are entitled to.

This is extremely common. Insurance adjusters often inspect vehicles outside in poor lighting — not under the specialized LED lighting a PDR technician uses in a controlled shop environment. Hail dents are notoriously difficult to see without proper lighting, and a significant portion of damage gets missed in a field inspection. When your vehicle comes into our shop, we perform a thorough professional assessment, document everything with photos, and submit a full supplement to your insurer. They are required to pay for the actual cost of repairs — our job is to make sure nothing gets missed.

No — and this is important to know. You are not required to get multiple estimates, and it is actually illegal for your insurance company to mandate which repair shop you use. That choice is entirely yours. Some insurers will steer you toward their "preferred" or "certified" shops, but those shops often work within parameters set by the insurer — which may not always serve your best interests. You have every right to bring your car to whatever shop you trust most.

PDR is actually the preferred repair method for hail damage — not a shortcut. A trained PDR technician uses specialized tools and LED lighting to carefully massage dented metal back to its original position from behind the panel. No sanding, no fillers, no repainting. Because your factory paint stays completely intact, your vehicle's original finish and manufacturer paint warranty are preserved. PDR is faster, more cost-effective, and produces results equal to or better than traditional body repair for hail-type dents. We only recommend traditional bodywork when a dent is too deep, the metal has stretched, or the paint has cracked.

Estimates can vary significantly between shops. Some shops intentionally write a low estimate to secure the job, then discover additional damage once the vehicle is in their bay — resulting in a higher bill and delays. At Sioux Falls Dent Repair, we take the time upfront to perform a thorough inspection so we can document everything accurately from the start. If supplemental damage is found during repairs, we always communicate with both you and your insurance company before any additional work begins. No surprises.

A supplement is an updated estimate submitted to your insurance company when additional damage is discovered beyond the original claim. This is completely normal and common in hail repair. Hidden damage — especially on roof rails, aluminum panels, and areas only visible under PDR lighting — is frequently missed in an initial adjuster inspection. When we find it, we photograph and document everything, then submit a formal supplement with supporting evidence. Insurance companies routinely approve legitimate supplements. You will always be informed and in agreement before any additional work is performed.

A diagnostic scan is a computerized check of your vehicle's onboard systems — performed before and after repairs. Many manufacturers require these scans whenever a battery is disconnected or components like headlights, taillights, or headliners are removed during the repair process. The pre-scan establishes a baseline, and the post-scan confirms everything is functioning correctly after repairs. Many shops skip this step entirely, which can leave unresolved error codes or electronic issues that show up later. We perform pre and post diagnostic scans as a standard part of our process and provide a printed copy for your records upon request.

Most hail repairs are completed within a few business days. The timeline can be affected by the extent of the damage, whether supplemental repairs are needed, and parts availability — some items may be on backorder. We order parts immediately and keep you updated throughout the entire process. You will never be left wondering about the status of your vehicle. Feel free to call or text us anytime at 605-205-8865.

Whether you have rental coverage depends on your specific policy. Many comprehensive policies include rental reimbursement, which covers the cost of a rental vehicle while your car is in the shop. Check your policy or ask your insurance agent — it is often an affordable add-on that people forget they have. Let us know when you come in and we will help you figure it out. We want to make this process as seamless as possible for you.

We strongly recommend against waiting. If your vehicle gets hit again before it is repaired, the compounded damage significantly increases the likelihood that your car will be considered a total loss — metal can only take so much before it cannot be restored to its original shape. Water intrusion from cracked seals or broken glass can also cause ongoing damage to wiring, dashboards, and upholstery that worsens over time. Acting promptly also means getting into our repair queue while turnaround times are faster. There is no benefit to waiting, and several real risks.

If the estimated cost of repairs exceeds your vehicle's actual cash value, your insurance company may declare it a total loss and offer you a payout — your car's market value minus your deductible. Before that happens, our team does everything possible to document and present repair costs accurately, which sometimes keeps a vehicle off the total loss list. If your car is totaled and you want to keep it, you can ask your insurer to buy it at salvage value and pay you the difference. We walk you through all your options and help you make the most informed decision possible.

First, make sure it is safe. Once the storm has passed, do a quick walk-around. Check for any broken or cracked glass — even a small crack can allow water to enter and damage your interior, electronics, and wiring. Check your headlights, taillights, and turn signals, as broken lenses are a safety issue. Cover any broken windows temporarily if needed. Then give us a call or schedule your free estimate — the sooner we can document the damage, the smoother the entire process goes.

A few things we are especially proud of: We offer a lifetime warranty on all repairs in writing — as long as you own your vehicle, our work is backed. We are a locally owned Sioux Falls business. After a hailstorm, out-of-state repair crews flood the area for a few weeks and then disappear — along with any warranty they offered. We are here before, during, and long after the storm. We work directly with your insurance company so you do not have to manage the back-and-forth. And every repair is held to the standard we would expect on our own vehicles — that is genuinely how we operate.