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If it’s safe, try to get your car into a garage before the storm hits. This will minimize damage to your vehicle and may save you the cost of an insurance deductible.
Some hail consists of grapefruit-sized dents that can be repaired with paintless dent repair. But golf-ball-sized hail can leave hundreds of dents requiring full body restoration.
Call Your Insurance Company
When it comes to cars, the damage from hail can range from minor dents that can be fixed using paintless dent repair or conventional bodywork to severe cracks in your windshield or windows that need replacing. In any case, you must contact your insurance provider quickly following a storm so that an adjuster can inspect the damage and begin processing your repair claim.
If you inspect the damage, wear sturdy shoes and a long-sleeved shirt. Also, be aware of potential hazards, such as live power lines, gas leaks, and downed trees and limbs that could fall on you.
It is essential to take photographs of the damage to your car so that you can provide this evidence to your insurance company if needed. This can help you qualify for additional living expenses coverage, which is standard in many homeowners’ policies and especially helpful in natural disasters.
Schedule an Appointment With a Repair Shop
Severe storms, high winds, tornadoes, flooding, or hail damage can change your life in the blink of an eye. Finding the right services and resources to help you recover from severe weather can also be challenging.
Do your research before hiring a hail damage repair Denver CO shop. Find out if they have good reviews and a solid reputation in your community. You can also get suggestions from friends and relatives. It is also essential to be aware of common scams that may occur after a disaster.
Once the storm has passed, it is time to begin cleaning and repairing any damage caused. Be sure to use safety equipment when working outside, including heavy gloves, safety goggles, and heavy boots. Also, avoid downed power lines, as they could be live electrical wires. Begin with the repairs you can do on your own, such as boarding up windows, to prevent further damage from water and wind.
Report the Damage to Your Insurance Company
Whether you should file a claim depends on your state laws and the insurance company’s rating system, but it is always best to report the damage so your insurer can send an adjuster to assess it. Hail damage is covered by comprehensive insurance (other than collision); typically, a one-time hail claim won’t affect your rates.
However, after a significant hailstorm, insurance companies are often inundated with claims, and it can take weeks or months before an insurance adjuster comes out to inspect the damage and create an estimate. During this time, your vehicle is vulnerable to additional damage, and you may lose thousands of dollars in potential repair costs.
For this reason, you are getting your car appraised and repaired as soon as possible after the storm is essential. It will also provide documentation and evidence if your roof suffers additional damage from another storm.
Schedule an Inspection With Your Insurance Company
When your insurance company comes out to inspect your home, they will assess the damage and start filing an insurance claim. This inspection will be detailed and can take a few hours to complete. During this time, be sure to save any receipts and bills for any temporary repairs that have been made. This will help you when it is time to choose a contractor for permanent repairs.
Be sure to check out the exterior of your house as well as the interior. Look for damage like cracks, holes, splintered wood, and chipped paint. Also, ensure your gutters are intact and that downspouts direct water away from the house. Be careful when checking out the damage, and always be aware of potential hazards such as downed power lines, broken tree limbs, and floodwaters that may contain bacteria, sewage, and chemicals. Stay safe and evacuate if instructed to do so by authorities.
