Volatile summer storms in Madison WI can result in car hail damage.
And, depending on the actual extent of your car hail damage, you may have a tough choice to make. Do you go through the insurance claims process, live with the hail damage or fix it yourself without an insurance claim using paintless dent repair techniques?
Assuming your car hail damage isn’t so severe your car is totaled, an insurance claim may be something to consider. If you are going to contact your insurance company about your car hail damage, the following steps will assist you in the process.
Contacting Your Insurer About Your Car Hail Damage In Madison WI
Call Your Insurer
If your car has sustained heavy hail damage, calling your insurance company immediately will help you organize a claim so
you can decide if it is the right action for you. Your Agent may even review the details over the phone so you know what the process will be. Some companies will even send a claim form to sign from the phone call alone. Know what your deductible is, if there is any at all.
Take Photos
Digital photography makes this step much easier. Take damage photos from all angles – the more the better. These images are useful for your records and can be helpful in future discussions or disputes. They will also be very helpful to the insurance company.
The Claim Form
Fill out your claim form if it was not completed over the phone. Be as accurate and truthful as you can. Car hail damage is usually covered by Comprehensive coverage. At this point, include images of the damage you have along with notes describing the extent of the damage.
Car Hail Damage Repair Estimates
While waiting for the insurance forms, take your car to auto body repair shops specializing paintless dent repair. Gather estimates so you can see the costs associated with your repair.
Be aware, some insurers will stipulate you only use a company using only OEM parts. Other insurers allow the use of aftermarket parts. Should all you need is paintless dent repair because no parts will have to be replaced, using aftermarket or OEM parts may not make a difference. Keep the detailed estimates for reference when communicating with your insurance company.
Car Hail Damage Assessment
Car hail damage repair can be expensive. Many insurers will send a risk assessor to view your vehicle’s damage, assessing the repair estimates. This is where the estimates you collected will be helpful in negotiating your payout. Be sure the payout will cover your car hail damage. If the insurance company offer does not cover the repair costs you will incur or if the cost to repair is more than your vehicle is worth (but the vehicle is otherwise sound), Auto Color will often have a great Plan B available to you.
Paintless Dent Repair Saves Totaled Cars
While both Auto Color locations in Middleton and Madison WI can work with insurance companies to repair car hail damage, we can also help keep reliable, older cars looking great using paintless dent repair techniques.
For details on options for your car hail damage repair, contact the Auto Color pros at either of our two Madison WI locations – on the Westside at Parmenter Road in Middleton or the Stoughton Road – Buckeye Road location.
Auto Color’s convenient locations provide easy access for surrounding cities including Verona, Waunakee, Fitchburg, Sauk City, McFarland, Middleton, Monona, Cottage Grove, Sun Prairie and Deforest and all of Dane County.
Call Auto Color in Middleton at 608-831-9554 or Auto Color in East Madison at 608-221-5041 or email us for great options concerning paintless dent repair and car hail damage repair in Madison WI.