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 | Feb 26, 2018 | Dent Repair, DIY
We all know what dents are. And we all hate them. There are hundreds of online methods involving gimmicky tools and household items claiming to be an end all solution to dents and dings. However, we’ve already discussed our stance on this. Now, we’re going to drop some hard facts. Here’s why we believe you need a Brandon dent removal team now!
Can Our Brandon Dent Removal Team Fix Your Ding?
Before you go out looking for a Brandon dent removal team you need to know if they’re going to do you any actual good. PDR may be extremely versatile but it still has its limits.
Minor Damage – Paintless dent repair can fix just about any dent. However, it is only capable of repairing minor damage from accidents like small fender benders, stray shopping carts, and door dings.
Intact Paint – Paintless dent removal simply won’t work if the paint has been compromised. Small chips and cracks should be repaired by a body shop as soon as possible because they can cause rust or corrosion.
Shallow Center – Unfortunately, some dents are just too sharp for us to repair. The most common are parking lot dings made in the center of large panels. These create too much give in the metal making it near impossible to restore perfectly.
The Many Great Qualities of Paintless Dent Removal
- Fast – Paintless dent removal is hands down the fastest way to take care of minor body damage. Since it doesn’t require complicated steps like sanding, priming, and painting we can spend time on more important things like saving you money.
- Affordable – Because the PDR process is so short you end up spending a lot less on labor and material costs. Now you only pay for the steps necessary to repair your vehicle.
- Retain Factory Finish – PDR is essential to preserve the blue-book value of your car. It’s the only way to remove dents and dings without permanent loss of quality.
- Nature Friendly – Paintless dent repair is one of the few repair methods that doesn’t use any toxic compounds. So you don’t need to worry about harming Brandon’s beautiful environment!
- Antique Enthusiasts – Collectors can take advantage of the non-invasive methods we use because it will keep their authentic paint finish intact.
- Insurance Claims – Many Brandon insurance companies will pay for your dent repair because they know it’s affordable and doesn’t raise your rates.
- Results That Last – Our repairs are guaranteed to last no matter what. We’ll test the dent to make sure it doesn’t give in as soon as you leave.
Paintless dent removal has many unique qualities that make it a great asset to just about any driver. Call Sioux Falls Dent Repair today at 605-595-4061 for your free quote!
by adminsioux | Feb 16, 2018 | Dent Repair
Paintless dent repair is your premier substitute for overpriced Sioux Falls body shop rates. Sometimes dents are just unavoidable. Careless drivers nick doors and ding bumpers all the time. It’s infuriating but getting frustrated won’t solve anything. Instead, take a deep breath and a step back to assess the situation. If the paint is still intact then PDR can fix the damage without ruining the factory fresh quality of your car. Visits to the body shop used to be a sure thing but now with so many paintless methods available your vehicle can be fixed at a fraction of the cost with a portion of the time.
Your Paint is Important
Modern paint jobs play a very important role in protecting the long term value of your car. It’s likely a small impact won’t leave you penniless. In fact, paintless dent repair can save you a fortune compared to unreasonable Sioux Falls body shop methods. Paintless dent repair works by gently massaging both steel and aluminum panels back into place. This service is preferred by insurance firms for its success rate and safety.
Much Faster Than Sioux Falls Body Shops
Paintless dent repair is much faster than competing Sioux Falls body shop techniques and can be completed in mere minutes under the right circumstances. This means mobile techs can fix your car from your own driveway. In certain instances you can do it yourself however, we’ve already made our opinion on DIY clear. If you are confident in your abilities as a PDR technician then go for it, but under any other circumstances seek out a professional.
Affordable Rates You Can’t Ignore
Adversely body shop repairs are more thorough than PDR. This may sound better but why leave your car in the shop longer than it needs to be? Sioux Falls body shops spend a lot of resources repainting, sanding, and filling the dent. All of these steps are unnecessary if the dent can simply be pushed or pulled out. Additionally, you will ultimately be spending more on the extra service and materials that weren’t needed. For a faster more affordable alternative to minor collision damage call Sioux Falls Dent Repair today at 605-595-4061 for your free estimate!
