Other cities that have declared a ‘catastrophe’ location are Wentzville & St Peters.

In today’s article, we will cover what to do if your vehicle has been damaged in a hail storm, both from your insurance company’s perspective and from an auto body shop or paintless dent repair shop.

Steps to Take After A Catastrophic Hail Storm

Insurance Company & Auto Hail Damage Claims

1. Mobile Catastrophe Claim Teams. State Farm and American Family have on-location adjuster stations set up around O’Fallon, one in the Home Depot parking lot and another in the CarShield overflow lot. You will need to schedule an appointment before you visit.
2. File a hail claim as soon as possible. Contact our local agent, file a claim, and schedule a time to visit a Mobile Catastrophe location or your address. You will need the date of the occurrence, your policy number, and your vehicle make/model/year.
3. Be prepared for a ‘total loss.’ Due to the size of the hail, wind conditions, and the amount of time the hail fell in O’Fallon, Wentzville, and St. Peters, many vehicles are being written as a total loss. Adjusters are issuing checks for ‘total-loss’ vehicles on-site. Learn more about a ‘total loss’ determination and your options.
4. Repair checks issued on-site.  For the vehicles that can be repaired, insurance companies are issuing checks on-site to expedite the hail damage repair process. As convenient as this may sound, take a minute to read more about how this might affect you and the repair of your vehicle.
5. Crash wrap is provided. This storm also broke windshields, sunroofs, and side mirrors. You can pick up some crash wrap at these on-site catastrophe centers.

The Hail Shop Hail Catastrophe Advise

1. Mobile Catastrophe Claim Teams. Mobile Catastrophe Claim Teams are convenient for getting your vehicle estimate fast. With convenience does come a few draw backs. Number one, adjusters are not experienced hail damage inspectors. In a majority of Catastrophe parking lot estimates, damage is missed and NOT written into your initial estimate. This essentially means that the insurance company is agreeing to pay for the damage ‘seen.’ On average, 30-45% of hail damage is missed upon further inspection at a O’Fallen paintless dent repair or auto body shop.
2. File a hail claim as soon as possible. Filing a hail claim ASAP is suggested. After a major catastrophic event that resulted in widespread & severe damage, there will be thousands of claims. Dent repair shops get backed up fast. Repair times become longer.
3. Be prepared for a ‘total loss.’ Multiple factors contribute to a ‘total loss’ claim. The cost to repair windshield damage, multiple dents per panel, paint damage, dents on the body lines, and interior damage (broken sunroofs = water damage to the interior) can add up fast. If your vehicle is written as a ‘total loss,’ we suggest you do your research. Check CarFax to get an idea as to the fair-market-value. You do have the right to negotiate the settlement check amount.
4. Repair checks issued on-site.  As mentioned in point 1, be prepared to get a check that doesn’t cover the cost to repair 100% of the hail damage. Ask the adjuster what your options are. Can I get a second opinion from an O’Fallon paintless dent repair shop? What happens if the repair shop finds more damage? What is the wait time for supplement approvals? If I take this check today, does that mean any additional damage won’t be paid for? Who is my contact, i.e., adjuster?
5. Crash wrap is provided. This is a very good option and is highly recommended. What is not recommended is assuming that you have to use an O’Fallon auto body or PDR shop that is on your insurance “Preferred Partner” shop list, or DRP. Learn more.

Who is The Hail Shop?

We are a full-service paintless dent repair shop specializing in auto hail repair. We offer free inspections, free vehicle pick-up and delivery, and free loaner cars. With a complete auto hail repair, you won’t pay a deductible. To schedule your free inspection, you can call us at 314-252-8851 or use our online scheduling form.

You’ve just had the hail damage repaired on your vehicle and you are ready to get it back to looking new again. Follow these simple steps to properly wash your car like the pro’s at The Hail Shop USA.

Gather the materials you will need to wash your car.

• • A pressure washer, car wash nozzle or a garden hose spray nozzle. 
  • 2 Heavy duty buckets. You can pick-up a 5 gallon bucket at your local hardware store for under five bucks. You’ll use one for soapy water and one as a dirty rinse bucket. It is also great for storing your car washing gear.
  • A sponge.
  • Microfiber wash brush, microfiber applicator, and microfiber cloths. Microfiber will both remove dirt and wick away water simultaneously. Plus, it reduces friction between the towel and your car for a safer way to dry without scratching.
  • Streak-free window glass cleaner.
  • Car washing foam. Car washing foam eliminates dirt, grime and environmental contaminants with massive amounts of dirt fighting, sudsy foam. We like this one sold on Amazon
  • Butter wet wax.

Wash your car like a champion

1. Spray down the vehicle. Use a pressure washer, car wash nozzle or a garden hose with a spray nozzle (wide spray setting) to rinse most of the dirt, grime, and grit off the entire exterior panels.
2. Start at the top. Use your microfiber wash brush and extremely sudsy water with your car washing foam to clean the vehicle. Use a side-to-side motion, never circular motions. Start at the roof and then the hood, and then work your way down. After you wash a panel, make sure you rinse your microfiber wash brush in your dirty water bucket to remove any sentiment to avoid scratching your paint.
3. Wash and then rinse. Repeat. After each individual panel is washed, rinse it to avoid soap streaking. Empty your dirty water bucket between every other panel you’ve washed.
4. Wash the wells. Dust, debris, and dirt love to live in your door wells and crevices so do not forget to wash them. Use a sponge to clean these areas.
5. Don’t air dry, hand dry. When you leave a car to dry naturally, it can result in a streaky finish. To avoid streaking, make sure to dry each panel using a microfibre cloth or towel. If you have a leaf blower handy, this can be a great tool to blow out in between the wells. If you don’t, use an old towel to wipe these areas dry.
6. Clean the glass. Give both the exterior and interior glass a good cleaning with your steak-free glass cleaner. Use a clean microfiber towel to clean all glass and windows.
   

   Pro-tip: Designate washing zones by color coding your microfiber cloths. For example, use only blue microfiber cloths to clean glass. Use orange for interior detailing and yellow for exterior detailing.

7. Wax and polish. Once the car is clean, waxing the with Butter Wet Wax will help it look even better, protect the paint from ultraviolet rays, and adds a protective barrier from the elements.

The nations #1 provider of Paintless Dent Repair & Auto Hail Repair.

If your vehicle has hail damage, Auto Hail Repair with the professionals at The Hail Shop USA.

Winter is Coming.

You should winterize your car to make sure it is protected and safe to drive this winter.

Basically, you want to winterize your vehicle to protect it from the freezing temperatures and prepare it to handle the adverse road conditions that inclement weather will present. In addition to preparing your vehicle for icy roads, we also recommend preparing yourself. Check out these winter driving tips from AAA. If you’re still uncomfortable driving in winter, consider practicing in an empty, snow-laden parking lot.

When Should I Winterize My Car?

Last week! If you live in the Midwest you probably experienced Winter Storm Bruce on Sunday and wish you’d have already winterized your vehicle. If anything, it was a less-than-gentle reminder to get your car the extra pre-snow lovin’ it needs. We’re not meteorologists but if you’re reading this, cold conditions are probably imminent if not already upon you. Winterize ASAP.

How to Winterize Your Car: 8 Steps

You know your vehicle best, so you know its tendencies. Do the doors and windows get frozen shut? Are your tires or battery old? Does your car tend to slide on icy or wet roads? Tip: Think back to which issues caused you any headaches last winter and focus on those first.

We’ve included a pretty comprehensive list of recommended steps to prepare your car for winter. These are merely an addition to regular tuneup and maintenance that should be performed year-round on your vehicle. You can try to DIY or just make sure your mechanic covers them all if you opt to let the shop winterize.

1. Check Your Battery

   When temperatures drop, your engine requires more power from your battery to get started. Also when temps drop, voltage from your battery decreases. If the battery can’t give your engine the power it needs, your car will not start. Test the battery with a mechanic or hydrometer. Make sure cables are securely connected to terminals that aren’t corroded. Connections should be clean and secure.

2. Inspect Windshield Wipers and Fluid

   You can’t drive safely through a winter storm if you can’t see through your windshield. Wipers should be replaced every year. Also consider purchasing winter wipers. Make sure that your wipers are in good shape and your wiper fluid is full. Wipers should not be scratching or making streaks, but making full, smooth contact with your windshield. For fluid, we recommend finding a brand that includes the terms de-icer, freeze-resistant or low freezing point.

3. Fill and/or Replace Coolant

   It’s extremely important for coolant to be maintained throughout winter months so it can do its job – keep your engine cool without freezing up completely. Check your owner’s manual to see what the antifreeze:water ratio should be for your vehicle so it doesn’t freeze. You can also buy coolant tester at an auto parts shop. Flush your coolant if it’s time to do so (every couple of years).

4. Check and/or Change Oil

   When the temperature drops, your oil can thicken, making it harder to lubricate the engine and allow it to start your vehicle. Change your oil as usual. Then, check the viscosity and consult your owner’s manual and/or mechanic to see if you should change to a thinner oil for the winter season.

5. Prepare Tires

   Winter road conditions will be the true test for your tires. Low pressure and shallow tread can both cause you a loss of traction and safe driving. Check the tire pressure and tread depth. Although they can be expensive, if you live in a region with severe weather climate, consider snow or all-season tires.

6. Lubricate Doors and Other Openings

   Moisture can seep into the cracks of your doors, locks, trunk, hood and windows to later freeze and leave you locked out, unable to roll windows down or unable to access your engine or trunk. Lubricate all weather stripping and window tracks with silicone spray and door-lock lubricant.

7. Flush Your Heater

   If your heater isn’t working well enough or stopped entirely, the heater core may be clogged. If clogged, warm coolant can’t heat the air passing through. Clean out your heater core tubes so it can use its coolant supply to heat air quickly. Unless you’re experienced, you may want to consult a service station or repair shop for this.

8. Prepare a Roadside Emergency Kit

   You should have some version of a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle year-round with basic supplies like a first aid kit and flashlight. Additions depend on the available space in your vehicle, where you’re traveling and the climate. However, better safe than sorry. We’ve included the ultimate car emergency kit checklist below so you can build your own roadside survival kit. If you’d rather someone do the compiling for you, you can buy a basic premade auto survival kit for less than $20 and a great one for $40.

Again, these are eight ways to winterize your vehicle that should be added to regular service and upkeep. Don’t forget to make sure brakes, lights, exhaust systems, belts and hoses, etc. are all still working properly per usual. Also keep your gas at least half full at all times during winter months.

Before you start trying to sell your car, it is essential to put yourself on the same level as the potential buyer. When you are looking to buy a used car, you don’t want a car that “looks” used.

My father always told me that when searching for a car to buy, always pay close attention to the exterior and interior condition. Why? Because it will probably reflect how well the engine was cared for.

The Rule of Normal Wear & Tear

Unless you lease your car, you might not fully appreciate the meaning of “normal wear and tear.” The moral of this part of the story is to always treat your vehicle like it isn’t yours. Treat it more like it is on a lease.

We will start by defining the meaning of a lease.

An auto lease is a financial arrangement that enables an individual to obtain a vehicle for use without paying for it entirely. They get access to the vehicle for a certain term and then return the vehicle at the end of that period, sometimes with an option to buy it outright.

When a leasing agency signs an agreement with a lessee, it is made very clear how the vehicle is to be returned.

Auto lease terms and conditions often have penalties for wear and tear or mileage that is put on the vehicle above a predetermined amount. When the lessee returns the vehicle, they might owe additional money beyond their monthly payments.

What is considered normal “wear & tear”?

In general, damages that are small in nature or have a smaller diameter of usually less than ½” will be considered normal wear and tear. While each lessor’s definition can vary, typical examples of normal wear and tear include:

• Small dings and scratches on exterior panels that can be easily buffed out.
• Interior spots & stains or damage that can be repaired or removed.
• Tires that match the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines.
• Minor nicks or scuffs on the wheel covers or wheels.
• Tread depth over ⅛ of an inch at the most shallow point in the tire
• Any damage to the windshield that is less than ½ of an inch
• Cracks in lamps, turn signals, and lights that are less than 2″ in diameter
• No broken parts or missing equipment

TAKE NOTE: A good rule of thumb is to stay on top of all of the above points while you own the vehicle & BEFORE trying to sell your vehicle. You will not only keep your vehicle looking at it’s best but also ensure you will be getting the most out of your vehicle when it comes time to sell.

Many normal wear and tear items may also include the replacement of light bulbs, tires, and brakes.

When does “normal” wear and tear become “excessive”?

Four or more dents or scratches that break the paint are also often considered excess wear and tear. The average vehicle owner incurs $1,800 in excess wear and tear damages.

In conclusion.

What to take from the car leasing companies rulebook is to keep the wear and tear level at “normal.” We promise that if you keep this mentality, your vehicle will appraise at the top of its game when it’s time to resell.

Don’t Put A Dent In The Deal

Those tiny car hail dents or parking lot door dings that used to be barely visible to the naked eye will quickly become a larger and more expensive problem when they get in front of a  car dealer or appraiser.

When it comes to resale, the buyer will search for any signs of wear and tear that they can use to reduce the value of the vehicle. They are good at bargaining.

This is why it is imperative to take care of those seemingly tiny and insignificant dents as soon as possible. Even the smallest dent might push a buyer away from purchasing your car.

They might even pay more for a vehicle with similar characteristics, model, mileage, etc., but it looks in better condition.

Paintless dent repair, your best option to boost resale value.

Just as there is no “good time” to get auto hail damage or a parking lot door ding, there will never be a “good time” to get it repaired. The best approach to take when it comes to protecting any huge investment is to take care of it any damages or updates ASAP.

Paintless dent repair is the fastest and cheapest way to restore your vehicle back to its original pristine condition.

Paint Me Green With PDR

Some give more importance to the paint than the maintenance record sheet or the actual engine’s condition.

The reasons are simple.

• The quality of re-painting can never be as good as any OEM paint job.
• The manufacturer paint job keeps your car looking great and shiny.
• Original factory paint is designed to work as a protective barrier against weather elements and other pollutants.
• The type and quality of primer applied (Epoxy Resin based) and the method (Electrophoretic Painting) by which it is applied, far outweigh and outperform any conventional metal primers used by the Re-finish Jobbers. *

PDR is also a fast, affordable, and reliable technique for getting rid of the dents and dings on the body panels without affecting its original paint.

Reference: * Quora – Will the paint quality of a repainted car be as good as the original OEM paint job? https://www.quora.com/Will-the-paint-quality-of-a-repainted-car-be-as-good-as-the-original-OEM-paint-job

If you are looking into catching a hail of a deal at a dealership on a new vehicle with hail damage, there are a few facts you should consider. Everyone loves a deal but nobody loves a lemon. In this article, The Hail Shop USA hits a few of the big questions you should ask before driving away in your brand new dented car.

1. What the deductible?
   If the vehicle still has hail damage, that usually means that the cost to repair exceeded the dealers deductible. Many times, the in-house paintless dent repair guy can fix the cars themselves for less than the cost of the deductible.
2. Do repaired hail damaged vehicles hold the same “new car” value?
   In the first year of ownership, cars depreciate 30% – repaired hail damage or not. It is the condition of the vehicle when you go to sell it. Dealerships put the condition of your vehicle into 4 varying categories: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor. If the repaired hail damaged vehicle required no repainting or panel replacement with aftermarket parts – the vehicle holds it’s “new car” value. These are questions that you need to ask before laying down on a hail-sale vehicle.
3. Should I get a second opinion?
   Yes and yes again. The dealership is trying to push out the hail damaged vehicles. They might tell you the cost to repair will be $5k (give or take a few hundred) and then when you take it to your local paintless dent repair shop – they tell you the cost to repair the hail damage will be closer to $8k – OUCH! So, before you sign any paperwork, make sure you get a second opinion.
4. Are the hail damage repairs on a “hail sale” covered under my insurance policy?
   Unfortunately, no. Fortunately, paintless dent repair is more affordable than you think. If the vehicle only has a few small hail dents on the roof or hood, you are looking at about $25 per dent to repair. The Hail Shop USA will work with you on price if you are paying for your hail repair out-of-pocket. Just give us a call and we can set-up a time to assess the damages and give you an estimate of how much it would cost for repairs.
5. Should I be worried about the quality of the hail repairs done by the dealership?
   This is another situation where a 2nd look never hurt anyone. Some tell-tale signs of a shotty hail repair are overextended dents, paint touch-ups, and replacement panels.
   1. Over-extended dents: This happens when an inexperienced PDR technician “pushes” the dent out too far. Look for inverted dents that have some weird paint disfigurement. Overextended dents are VERY hard if not impossible to correct with PDR.
   2. Paint touch-ups: If you see what looks to be “shiny” or “dull” spots on the vehicle or paint that doesn’t quite match – the paint warranty has been breached.
   3. Replacement panels: The good thing about buying a hail-damaged vehicle from a dealership is that they use OEM instead of Aftermarket panel replacements. OEM will retain the value of the vehicle – Aftermarket will decrease the value of the vehicle. You can learn more about OEM and Aftermarket parts here.

In the end, if you purchase a hail damaged vehicle that has been repaired – the quality of the hail repairs is going to be obvious – properly repaired hail damage should be invisible.

Can I Remove Auto Hail Dents At Home?

After the 2018 summer of catastrophic hail storms, we have received multiple questions about DIY auto hail repair. We have also repaired a few botched DIY hail dent removal jobs.

The Hail Shop USA is here to answer your questions about the following most popular DIY auto hail dent repair techniques.

With each DIY hail removal tip, a video example is provided to show the technique in action.

DIY Dry Ice Auto Dent Removal Technique

Leave the car in direct sunlight so that it heats up and is hot to the touch. Place small pieces of dry ice in the center of the dents for a few seconds and remove them. The dents will pop out on their own. Wipe the area down with a soft clean cloth.

Does it work?

The above video is shot by an auto body shop technician. I have used this video intentionally as this DIY auto hail dent technique can be dangerous and cause additional damage to your vehicle. As you will see in the video, the dent CAN be removed but will return when the vehicle heats up in the sun.

Warning: Trying this technique can cause chemical burn and frostbite. We do not suggest trying this at home.

DIY Hail Dryer Auto Dent Removal Technique

Heat the dented area with a hairdryer and place a cold wet cloth on the dent while the area is still hot. The dent will pop out by itself.

Does it work?

With a hairdryer, you will not be able to heat up the metal enough to manipulate its molecular structure. You will, however, heat up the metal enough to severely fatigue the metal and run the possibility of needing a panel replacement.

Warning: When using a hair dryer to heat up the metal on your vehicle, be very aware that the extremely elevated temperature of the metal can severely burn your hands.

DIY Dent Puller Auto Dent Removal Kit

Glue Pullers

This is a paintless dent repair tool with a lifter glue puller and 18 pcs tabs. With 18 different size of tabs, it can repair different size of the dent without damaging the original paint of the car.  No harm to the original paint on your car. Paintless dent removal is the highly specialized method of eliminating dents in cars without having to repaint the surface of your vehicle. Preserving the overall value of the car. Glue pullers work best on shallow dents and pliable areas that have more flex. With this DIY paintless dent removal can save you much cost and trouble that can come after a minor accident

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Does it work?

I could not find the original dent puller found in this video but I did find one that was very similar. The dent puller can be very unpredictable. It appears as though the dent puller is the best option out of all of the three listed. The biggest problem with this device is “over-pulling.” When this happens, the dent literally pops-up past the surface of the panel. This is a very costly mistake and in most 99% of these cases, the entire panel must be replaced.

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