Wondering how much your car is valued after a hail storm? Here’s what to consider.
If your car has been damaged by hail, you may be wondering how much that will affect its value and whether or not it’s worth it to get the damage repaired.
Hail can cause a variety of damages to a vehicle, from small dents and scratches to shattered windows and broken headlights. A car may be totaled from a severe hailstorm in extreme scenarios.
While there’s no hard and fast rule to how much hail devalues a car, there are a variety of factors that can give you some insight into how the numbers play out. In this article, we’ll discuss the short-term and long-term costs of unresolved hail damage and how repairs can mitigate this cost.
Short-Term Costs of Unresolved Hail Damage
Let’s say your car got damaged in a hail storm last night, and you’re looking to sell it tomorrow. How much value has it lost?
Simply put, the decrease in value of your car will equal the cost to repair it. The cost of a car’s hail damage repair will vary depending on the severity of the damage, its location, and the measures required to repair it.
The average cost for hail repair can range from $50 to $150 a dent, with added expenses for special needs like replacement parts.
To get a precise number on your repairs, it’s best to visit a local auto shop specializing in hail repair to get an assessment.
Long-Term Costs of Unresolved Hail Damage
If you wait to get your car repaired or never prioritize getting repairs, your existing damage can compound into much more serious and expensive damage that can further impact the overall value of your car.
For example, a small dent or scratch left unchecked can quickly rust and cause permanent damage to your car. Areas of your car’s body that are compromised by rust can introduce water into your interior or mechanical parts, which cause issues like mold, mechanical failure, and electrical failure.
All of this creates a more expensive and complicated repair job. For example, what used to be a simple dent repair can return into a complete body panel replacement, mold removal, and air conditioning replacement, which can cost thousands of dollars.
Insurance Coverage for Hail Damage
If you are concerned about how hail damage might affect your car’s value, it’s important to understand how insurance coverage can help mitigate these costs.
Most auto insurance policies that include comprehensive coverage will cover hail damage repairs as long as the claim is filed within a reasonable amount of time after the storm.
If you work with a good auto repair shop, they’ll also work with your insurance to get you the best deal. This means you may be able to get your repairs completely paid for.
Retain Your Car’s Value With PDR
If you want to retain your car’s value despite the hail damage, one option is to consider paintless dent repair (PDR) services. PDR involves removing damage like dents and scratches with specialized tools and techniques that won’t damage the original paint of your vehicle.
With professional PDR services, you can get your car looking and running like new again while restoring its value to it’s original, pre-damaged state. And it comes at just a fraction of the cost of traditional dent repair. To learn how hail damage is assessed on a car to determine PDR costs, get in touch with your local PDR specialty shop.
Conclusion
Whether your car has been damaged by hail or other factors, how much it affects its value ultimately comes down to how well and how quickly you address the damage. To retain your car’s value and get the best repair results, the best easy fix is to work with a PDR professional who specializes in hail damage.