Billboard Ads

Hail damage repair: costs incurred and notification to the insurance company

 


1.3 billion euros - that's how high the damage to German cars caused by storm and hail was in 2021, according to the German Insurance Association (GDV). Does your vehicle also have the characteristic small dents that indicate hail damage to the car? In this article, you will learn what repair costs are incurred in the event of hail damage and in which cases you can report them to the car insurance company.

Hail damage: repair costs and effort at a glance

Unfortunately, the costs for hail damage repair can hardly be quantified as a lump sum. Are there many small dents? Or a few deep dents caused by large hailstones? The affected components of the car also play a role. A defective windshield causes different costs than a dented hood.

In many cases, it is worthwhile to visit a "dent doctor". A SmartRepair process can be used to pull out dents. This allows them to be removed without having to dismantle the affected components. Depending on the severity of the hail damage, the costs are around 350 to 550 euros.

If large "craters" have been created by large hailstones, the work usually also includes filling and painting work. Then the price for hail damage repair can be significantly higher.

Tip: Avoid hail damage to the car by parking your vehicle under a roof. If this is not possible, you can use hail protection mats or another cover. It is best to always keep an eye on the weather forecast and react to severe weather warnings as soon as possible.

Hail damage repair: useful or not?

Whether you should have your hail damage repaired depends mainly on your vehicle. If it is a new vehicle or you drive a leasing car, this is always recommended. With leasing, you can't avoid the costs anyway. If you return the car damaged at the end of the contract period, the lessor will charge you for the cost of the repair.

The situation is different, however, if you drive an older car. You have several options:

  • You can collect the money for the repair from the insurance company and not repair the hail damage.
  • They keep the money from the insurance company and try to repair the hail damage themselves with a repair kit.
  • They have the hail damage repair carried out nearby.

If you do not have the repair carried out or only provisionally, this can reduce the resale value of your car. If the paint has been affected by the dents, there is a risk of rust formation. If you don't have them removed, you can prevent them with a touch-up pen.

Report hail damage repair to the insurance company: This is how it works

The bad news first: If your car is only insured under motor vehicle liability insurance, you will be left with the costs of hail damage repair. Partial or fully comprehensive insurance, on the other hand, covers the costs for the repair and for the expert. However, your deductible will still be deducted.

This is how you proceed correctly if hail damage has occurred:

  1. Step: Inform your insurance company immediately about the damage caused. Here you will also find information on how to proceed.
  2. Step: Document the damage and all other important information. Take screenshots of severe weather warnings, collect newspaper clippings about hail damage in the region and record the exact damage with photos. Submit the information to your insurance company.
  3. Step: If there is major hail damage, the insurance company may send an expert. If this is not the case, you can have a cost estimate for hail damage repair prepared in a nearby workshop.

Tip: If it is a leased car, you must also inform the leasing company of the damage.

Would you like to repaint your vehicle after hail damage? The material for the vehicle painting is available online at Motointegrator.

source : Hail Damage Repair: Costs & Insurance | Motointegrator

Read Also
Post a Comment