InsuranceThought — Blogs About Insurance

Spring is obviously (at least here in Indiana it is!) right around the corner, so the season for hailstorms will soon be upon us. Unfortunately, hail can cause quite a bit of damage to your automobile; luckily most hailstorms are pretty innocuous!

If your vehicle sustains damage from a hailstorm, it is sometimes difficult to decide whether you should or shouldn’t make a claim with your auto insurance company to have the damage repaired for fear that your insurance premium will be increased as a result. Luckily, hail damage is covered under your comprehensive coverage; it’s considered an act of nature, so filing a claim should not cause your rates to go up.

Insurance companies will typically endorse a paintless dent repair for hail damage to your car unless it’s too severe for this method. Using the paintless dent repair method retains the factory finish of your vehicle restoring it to pre-loss condition. Repainting your car can reduce its value, so avoiding it if possible is a definite plus.

Your auto insurance company should provide you a few different body shops to go to for repairs. These shops and your insurance company have agreements commonly called “Direct Repair Programs.” Keep in mind that these shops will be under pressure from the insurance company to keep costs to a minimum, so be sure to thoroughly check out their reputations before deciding on which one you will have repair your vehicle.

So if you sustain damage to your car this season, don’t hesitate to contact your insurance company; they should be able to help you find a shop to get your auto fixed without hiking up your insurance costs.