There is a lot of chatter when it comes to Paintless Dent Repair, it’s effectiveness, and the question if PDR will lower the resale value of a vehicle. If you live in Texas or Colorado, hail dent removal is a commonality and some vehicle owners have not only had their dents removed with Paintless Dent Removal once but a few times.

In this article, we will explore the different dent repair techniques available for vehicle owners and dive deeper into the question of vehicle degradation depending on the technique used.

What is Paintless Dent Repair?

Paintless Dent Repair is a technique all it’s own. When your vehicle is dented, what comes to mind when you are brainstorming where you would take your vehicle to get small these dents or dings removed? Most would associate this repair with a body shop. Makes sense. If there is a cosmetic defect with a vehicle, you take it to an auto body repair shop. You would not be incorrect but there is an area of expertise between mechanical repairs & body repairs.

Body shops are the place to go when you have body damage that involves metal creasing, crinkling or folding, paint chipping or scratching, rusting, broken side mirrors, and panel replacement.

In that grey area between mechanical repairs & severe body damage are Paintless Dent Repair. Paintless Dent Repair, or sometimes called Paintless Dent Removal, is reserved for the door dings, hail dents, and any body damage that has not fractured the paint. PDR is really more of restoration process that returns a vehicle’s body back to its original condition.

Molecular Memory or Shape-Memory Alloy

Specially trained Paintless Dent Removal technicians use a variety of tools, most of which do not require electrical power, to carefully push, pull, and carefully manipulate the metal back to its original shape. The metal used to construct the panels for a vehicle have what is called a molecular memory. Once a panel has been shaped or molded and placed on the vehicle for sale, it basically holds a “memory” of its original shape and construct.

Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators have drawn much attention and interest due to their unique and superior properties. The key advantage is that SMA actuators do not require bulky and complicated mechanical design to function, where the active element (e.g. SMA wire or spring) can be deformed by applying minimal external force and will retain to their previous form when subjected to certain stimuli such as thermomechanical or magnetic changes.
Read entire publication below or download here.

So back to the question of vehicle degradation if repaired with PDR is simple. No, Paintless Dent Repair – if done properly by a trained technician, will not lower the value or resale value of your vehicle. As we mentioned earlier in this article, the metal is literally restored to its original shape. This is why insurance companies prefer the PDR method for repairing hail damaged vehicles, door dings, and collisions that do not harm the integrity of the vehicles original paint application.

Sometimes, Its Not The Metal – It’s The PDR Technician

PDR Pushed Too Far

Think about it like this. To every dozen eggs, there is a chance a few might be broken. This is same when it comes to picking out your Paintless Dent Repair shop or technician. PDR technicians are not all the same. There is no official “certification” a technician can get that will assure you that they are not a “broken egg.”

PDR is can be categorized as  more of an art form. A PDR technicians greatest tool is their experience, finesse, attention to detail, and craftsmanship. If a technician is weak in one of these areas the result has the potential to be a costly mistake. Metal does have a memory but there are some circumstances where metal memory can be distorted. If an unexperienced technician pushes the metal PAST its original form, the molecules are distorted and the “memory” is lost.

The result can cause the metal to stretch and cause extrusions in the vehicle panel. When this happens, the mistake can only be repaired using the traditional body shop method.

In this article, we will provide you with some information and facts that will prepare you for hail damage to your vehicle that will hopefully prevent you from making costly mistakes in the aftermath of a hail storm.

5 Costly Mistake to Avoid When Dealing With Auto Hail Damage

1. The hail damage isn’t that bad, I can live with it.
   Hail damage severity can range from a few minor, nearly undetectable dime-sized dents to completely totaled. The damage caused to a vehicle by softball sized hail destruction will require immediate attention because in most cases, the vehicle will be too damaged to safely drive. A light spattering of dent dimples will NOT have need of immediate repair and daily life can continue as normal. Soon, the light hail damage becomes seemingly non-existent as you are now used to minor imperfections.  It’s only cosmetic, right? True, but…your vehicle holds value. The phrase, “Moment on the lips, Lifetime on the hips” holds a similar meaning with light auto hail damage because a little bit of hail damage can result in thousands of dollars of depreciation to your vehicle. What seems harmless today can be super costly tomorrow UNLESS you intend on driving it until it’s death. If this is not the case and you hope to sell it for an upgrade in the future, save yourself the headache and thousands of dollars and get the hail damage repaired as soon as possible. Side note: If you carry comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, hail damage repair is covered under your policy. Your only financial obligation is the deductible which is covered by The Hail Shop USA.
2. I can repair the hail damage myself.
   When we live in a world dominated by the world wide web and countless DIY youtube videos that claim you can repair your hail damage at home, we highly recommend you DON’T DO IT. The Hail Shop USA has now officially denounced DIY hail repair videos and placed them on the DDIY (Don’t do it yourself) list of how-to’s. You can read about all of the debunked DDIY dent repair videos you can find online  here (DIY Dent Repair Done Wrong).
3. Relying solely on my insurance adjusters cost estimate for auto hail damage repair.
   Schedule a time for the adjuster to inspect your car and write the estimate to repair the damages. Keep in mind, the estimate may not be 100% accurate, as it is just an estimate. Schedule a time with a paintless dent repair company near you to get a second inspection. If there is a discrepancy between the insurance adjusters estimate and the PDR shops inspection results, any difference between the amount of the estimate and the final invoice will be resolved between the repairing vendor and the insurance company by means of a supplement.
   What is a supplement? Car insurance companies frequently issue funds and pay damages before all hail damage have been discovered. When additional funds are needed to cover the damages resulting from a hail storm after settlement, the claims are known as supplemental claims.
4. Choosing the auto body shop that your insurance company highly suggests.
   This is called “steering.”  Insurance companies will find paintless dent repair shops and auto body shops that will “work” with them on the cost of repairs. In return, they will “steer” their customers towards these shops. Learn more about steering and direct repair shops here and whom they benefit (hint, hint…it’s not you.)
5. Letting some random person in a parking lot “pop” those dents for you at a reduced rate.
   If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. In the paintless dent repair industry, we like to call them “dent gypsies.”  They carry their equipment in the back of their vehicles, and they will jump out and fix your car in less than an hour. They only take cash. Don’t believe us, search the phrase, “dent fixers approaching people in parking lots” and set aside a few HOURS to read more than many nightmare stories about these “dent magicians.” You will soon learn that the only thing good they are known for is making your money disappear after they destroy your vehicle.

Quality Repairs With No Surprises

The Hail Shop USA has over 25 years in the auto dent removal industry. Our PDR technicians safely remove dents without the use of harmful chemicals, fillers, or paint.

We take the necessary time and effort with each individual customer so that on the day of their appointment, they walk away feeling confident with their decision. We use a variety of modern techniques and hand tools to safely remove dents caused by hail damage. We offer PDR for all vehicle makes / models and work with all insurance companies.

For a free inspection, call us at 866-943-2141 or schedule online using this form.

Why is March 25th such a significant date for Austin, TX? Oddly enough, Austin has been hit on 4 different occasions by catastrophic hail storms on that exact date over the last 25 years. Weird, right?

It almost seems like March 25 should somehow be recognized, or at least circled on the calendar, as a weather phenomenon day in south Texas. I here now do solemnly declare March 25th as the official “Do NOT remove your vehicle from the garage, no matter what” day.

Here’s a breakdown of the four March 25th’s in question:

March 25, 1993: 2-inch diameter hail (egg-sized) in north and west Austin caused $125 million in damage
March 25, 2005: 1-2-inch diameter hail (quarter- to egg-sized) across much of the city caused $100 million in damage
March 25, 2009: 1.75-inch diameter hail (golf ball-sized) during the evening rush hour caused Austin’s costliest hail storm in history at $160 million in damage.
March 25, 2021: Nickel sized to golfball-sized hail plus 65 mph updraft wind speeds hit south, central and northeast Austin like a sledge hammer causing millions of dollars in roof and automobile hail damage claims.

What to if your vehicle was damaged in the March 25 Austin hail storm?

By now, you probably know if your vehicle has hail damage and if you haven’t yet filed a claim with your insurance company, now is the time.

If you have never made an hail damage claim, don’t be intimidated – it’s not difficult. First, find your auto insurance card and locate the claims phone number. If you can’t find your card, visit here for filing options for all insurance companies. Second, take a few minutes to capture some photos of the damage with your cell phone. Make sure to photograph every panel, including the roof. Finally, schedule your free hail damage inspection appointment with The Hail Shop by calling 866-943-2141 or you can also schedule online by filling out our online form.

After the inspection, we can make an appointment to get your vehicle repaired. Most repairs take between 2-3 days depending on the severity of the damage.  If your insurance policy doesn’t cover a car rental while your vehicle is being repaired, we will put you in one of ours at no cost to you.

In this article, we will explain the difference between comprehensive & collision coverage on your vehicle.

What does Comprehensive Insurance Policy cover?

A comprehensive insurance coverage plan on your vehicle covers damage that is not from a collision, wreck, or car accident. If you’re financing or leasing your car, your lender likely requires comprehensive coverage. The coverage limit is determined by the actual cash value of the vehicle being covered.

Some examples of what IS covered:

• If your vehicle is stolen.
• Damage from fire.
• If your vehicle was vandalized.
• Damage caused by a falling object.
• Damage caused by natural disasters or an “Act of God” including wind (falling tree), hail damage, and flood damage.
• Hitting an animal with your vehicle. More specifically, swerving to miss an animal and crashing into oncoming traffic or a tree is considered a full coverage claim.

Examples of what is NOT covered:

• Collision with another vehicle.
• Collision with an object, such as a fence or guard rail.
• Single-car rollover accidents.
• Damage to another person’s vehicle
• Medical bills incurred by you or another person.

What does a Collision Insurance Policy cover?

A Collision insurance Policy is a coverage that helps pay to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged in an accident with another vehicle or object. If you’re leasing or financing your car, collision coverage is typically required by the lender.

Examples of what IS covered:

• Damage to your vehicle as the result of a single car accident (if no other motor vehicle was involved) involving a roll-over.
• Damage to your vehicle as the result of hitting an object such as a tree, guard rail, house, fence, etc is covered.
• Damage to your vehicle as the result of collision, accident, and wreck that involved another vehicle.

Examples of what is NOT covered:

• Damage caused as a result of a natural disaster such as hail damage, wind damage, and flood damage.
• Theft of your vehicle.
• Vandalism of your vehicle.
• Damage to another persons vehicle or personal property.
• Medical bills incurred by you or another person.

What is Full Coverage Insurance Policy?

A full coverage auto insurance means you have coverage for your own car AND the other driver’s. A full coverage policy combines liability (pays for injuries and damage caused by YOU) collision, and comprehensive insurance.

So, what are the drawbacks of paintless dent repair? Is it all that it’s hyped up to be?

A question we hear frequently is, “Will PDR damage my paint?” Rumor has it that paintless dent repair will somehow loosen the paint due to the manipulation of the metal. If dent repair is performed by an experienced technician, this is simply not the case.

There are, however, a few circumstances when PDR is not a good option.

• Huge dents, such as dents caused by a collision, can stretch the metal, weaken the paint, and run the risk of damaging the paint.
• Dents that have cracks or chips are not good candidates for PDR.
• Paintless dent repair can get pricy in the event of a catastrophic hail storm BUT if you have comprehensive insurance coverage – auto hail repair is covered. The only cost obligation you will incure is the deductible which is covered at The Hail Shop USA.

Learn more here.

If you’re considering using a paintless dent repair service, choose a company with plenty of experience and great customer service.

COVID-19 is changing the way the insurance industry is processing auto hail damage claims. Although the technology has been in existence since 2018, the use of the CCC Quick Estimate, an artificial intelligence supported claims processing tool, has expanded at an exponential pace as a direct response to COVID-19.

Social distancing and work-from-home protocols have been the driving force behind the digital revolution in auto hail claims, led by smart phone photo estimating.

What is CCC Mobile Quick Estimate Tool & How Does it Work?

What is the CCC Mobile Quick Estimate Tool?

From CCC Information Services:

Apple CCC Moible Quick Estimate APP Download | Android CCC Moible Quick Estimate APP Download

How does the CCC Mobile Quick Estimate Tool work?

Note: You will need to utilize your smart phone camera.

1. Upon filing an auto hail claim with your insurance company, you will receive a text message or email with a direct link to auto populate your claim information into the app. Find filing options for your insurance company here.
2. The app will then walk you through the quick estimate process while utilizing your smart phone camera. For example, the first screen starts with your driver side front door. A graphic of the driver side front door will accompany the directive, “Fit your vehicle into the outline as shown in the example. Make sure the entire vehicle is visible in the photo. Then capture the photo.”
3. After you have completed the photo documentation process, will have the opportunity to review your photos before you submit them to the insurance company. You will have an opportunity to take more pictures and also video of the damage to your vehicle.

What are the Pros & Cons of the CCC Mobile Quick Estimate Tool for Estimating Auto Hail Damage?

The pros and cons provided in this section come directly from the reviews section of the actual APP. Some of the reviews come from customers and others from actual repair facilities.

Pros

To use the app is quite easy.

The VIN auto-scanning is a nice feature.

The fact that I could given a written description of any damages was a nice option.

Quick & easy.
It takes about three to four minutes to complete the whole process. Then press submit and you’re all done!

Note: Most professional auto hail damage estimates take a minimum of 15 minutes to accurately estimate.

Cons

Not much instruction on how to use the app.
A brief paragraph before beginning would have been handy to be sure I had plenty of clearance and light for pictures.

Does the APP effectively replace the  “in-person” insurance adjuster estimate? 
Many customers worry that the pictures, even if they provide very good quality photos, will lead to an under estimation of the cost of damage to their car. Shaky and blurry photo submissions are a common issue and tend to slow down the hail claims process.

Isn’t having an actual insurance adjuster come do the estimate what I pay my insurance for?
In short, yes.

30 seconds is not enough time to verbally report damage.
Customers are given the opportunity to “verbally express” any additional information or issues concerning their claim.

Problems with under-estimations & partial reimbursements.
Review from repair shop. Most “mobile quick estimates” don’t cover half of what  should have actually been reimbursed. This isn’t a problem for a paintless dent repair facility because the shop can supplement the missed damage but if you are looking to “cash out,” then you are probably due more money.
Review from customer.  I like the fact that you get all the pictures and then are able to take video and additional pictures if needed. However, I would not…repeat, NOT rely on this for a final payment. The fact that you can’t get a true feel for the exact damage due to lighting or atmospheric conditions it may leave possible questions still unanswered and could effect the proper reimbursement.

A Faster, More Accurate Approach to Estimating Auto Hail Claims

Most every paintless dent repair shop or auto body shop offer free hail damage inspections. With the use of industry specific LED lighting and  the professionally trained eye of a PDR technician will make the process easier, faster, and most importantly, 100% accurate.

Call the dent repair experts at The Hail Shop today to schedule your FREE hail damage inspection. We can come to you or you can bring your vehicle to one of our shops near you. We offer a minimal contact experience and take your and our health very seriously. Read our COVID-19 response statement here.

As the world continues to battle the Coronavirus, Mother Nature is working overtime. Massive hail storms, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes are still on the COVID “essential list” and don’t seem to be slowing down. So what happens if your car gets damaged in a hail storm one of the other multiple repair issues comes up?

Can You Get Your Vehicle Repaired During Pandemic?

Good News. Paintless Dent Repair Shops, Body Shops, and Auto Repair Shops has been deemed an essential service by the government.

Many auto repair locations are operating with reduced staff and repairs may take longer than usual.  It is always best to call ahead if you have concerns about repair times.  Most auto body shops and repair facilities are offering minimal contact, on-location inspections and estimates. Wearing a face mask is recommended.

The Hail Shop USA is operating with a full staff and normal repair times. We do suggest you call if you have any specific questions about insurance, inspections, and expedited repair times. The average shop time for an auto hail repair is 2-5 days but most hail damage vehicles are in the shops for 2-3 days.

What Could Slow Down Repair Times During Pandemic?

The biggest change vehicle owners will find is how the insurance companies and insurance adjusters have changed their claims procedure to better protect their agents and customers. Adjusters are inspecting vehicles remotely and relying heavily on your photography and video skills to document hail damage.

1. Asking customers to take photos of all panels.
2. Requesting a video walk around of the entire vehicle
3. Uploading images and videos to their website

Sounds super easy, right? Well, kind of. With every solution, there will be challenges.

Many customers are struggling to capture images that accurately show the severity of the damage causing estimates (and payouts) to run short.

What we are seeing and hearing from our customers in San Antonio is a lot of over complication and excessive frustration. For example, we had a customer that had scheduled a repair with check / estimate in hand from the insurance company but didn’t have the funds to repair all of the hail damage. We re-inspected the vehicle and documented ALL of the dent damage and initiated the supplementation process to recover the funds needed for a full repair. Unfortunately 5 extra days were expended to complete the filing and repair process.

1. Technical Issues. Another hurdle for car owners to overcome is more on the technical side.  Issues such as photo and video uploading issues of too large a file or timing-out issues from the insurance companies website.
2. Faulty Photos. When a customer finally gets the media uploaded, they photos and videos don’t accurately show all of the damage. When a customer sends in images that fail to show certain parts of the damage, the repair facility then must take and submit a second round of photos to the adjuster. These photos then must await a second review before approval is given to begin the repairs.

The Hail Shop USA Is Here To Help You

Let one of our experienced paintless dent repair technicians guide you through the entire hail claims process or better yet, we can take care of the entire process while you carry on with your regularly scheduled life.

From inspecting and estimating your hail damage for free and at YOUR location to submitting all pertinent media, estimates, and supplements to your insurance adjuster, The Hail Shop is here to work for you and make the process as stress free as possible.

If you need auto hail repairs, claims assistance, or just assurance that you are “doing it right”, we are here and with enhanced safety measures. Call us today at 866-943-2141 or schedule your inspection or repair using our online form.

You are not alone if you are wondering if RIGHT NOW is actually the best time for anything. You are probably working from home, making endless meals for your family or yourself, coming up with creative ways to spend your free time, and wondering WHEN WILL THIS MADNESS END?

There are some things you can do that have most likely been placed on the back burner of priority and life for quite some time. Getting your hail damage repaired is probably one of those tasks. In this blog, we will go over how to get those unsightly dents removed during this time of uncertainty and hopefully answer some of your questions about the paintless dent repair process.

To begin, getting your hail damage repaired does not require you to be face-to-face with anyone at anytime unless you so choose. You can read more about The Hail Shop USA’s COVID-19 protocol here.

1. File auto hail damage claim. The first step is to get ahold of your insurance company to file a claim. If you have comprehensive coverage on your vehicle, auto hail repair is covered 100%. A deductible will be the only cost your insurance company will require you to take care of before any repairs begin. At The Hail Shop USA, we do not require you to pay this deductible. Some insurance companies offer an online filing option on either their website or APP. We have compiled a list of the bigger insurance companies along with their claims phone numbers and links to their online filing page if they have one. You can find that list here. You also might want to check out our complete auto hail damage claims guide here.
2. Schedule an inspection with insurance adjuster. You will be assigned a local claims adjuster that will be responsible for following up with you about your vehicle. They will schedule a time to inspect and estimate the cost to repair the hail damage on your vehicle. The biggest COVID-19 change you will see when it comes to insurance claim inspections is their contact-free estimating approach. San Antonio has adopted this approach and you can read more about  the pros & cons of this NEW auto hail damage estimating approach here.The following quote comes from the KSAT online news publication,
   

   Many of those were filed online or through the company’s app, which the San Antonio-based company encourages because it is more efficient. Adjusters will be sent to see properties as needed, but there’s a good chance the policyholder won’t need to see the adjuster.

   “We have, actually, through this COVID(-19) crisis, gone to a lot of virtual estimating,” said Jim Syring, president of USAA Property and Casualty Group. “We can do it all online through photos and digitally.”

3. Call The Hail Shop USA. To find a location near you, visit here. When you call The Hail Shop USA, we walk you through the entire auto hail repair process.  We start with an inspection to make sure not damage was overlooked in the initial inspection done by the adjuster. If we DO see additional damage that was not accounted, we make sure you get the additional funding needed to cover the cost of the entire repair. The Hail Shop USA is a paintless dent repair facility and all repairs come complete with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

With paintless dent removal plus a properly trained and experienced PDR technician makes all the difference between your vehicle being repaired correctly or not. The Hail Shop USA has been repairing hail damaged cars for over 25 years. Don’t trust your vehicle to just anyone! Call The Hail Shop USA at 866-943-2141 to schedule your complimentary, no-obligation “contact-free” inspection!

Recent Hailstorms Cause Damage to Vehicles & Homes in San Antonio.

A massive hail storm that effected nearly 40,000 residents in the counties of Atascosa & Wilson in Texas are still reeling from the catastrophic damage left behind by this enormous storm cell. Winds nearing 70 mph, dangerous lightning, and baseball sized hail left behind piles of hail a foot tall, broken windows, damaged roofs, and vehicles covered with hail damage.

The hailstorm that swept through the San Antonio area and elsewhere in Texas has been declared a “claims catastrophe” by insurers. The good news for auto insurance policy holders is that a “claims catastrophe” accelerates payment on storm-related damage claims.

Insurance companies are harnessing the power of technology in attempt to facilitate & speed up the hail claims process. Cell phone cameras & video recording have become an integral part of the claims process.

This advancement is both a blessing and a curse. Policy holders are being asked to take pictures of the dent damage on their vehicles and then send the images to claims adjusters for estimates. Claims adjusters then use these images to write their estimates. Checks are mailed to the policy holders and appointments are scheduled with Paintless Dent Repair shops for repairs.

The problem with this expedited process is that estimates are being underwritten by the insurance companies and San Antonio auto hail repair companies are in-turn submitting supplement requests to cover the cost of the missed damage not documented in the customer photographs and videos.

Oftentimes, this process is delaying the actual repair by an average of 2 weeks. 

If you are OK with this 2 week waiting period, this new approach to hail damage estimates could be for you. If not, The Hail Shop USA can help expedite the estimating and auto hail repair San Antonio process. Instead of 2 weeks, vehicle owners can get their vehicles repaired and back on the road in 2-3 days.

Call us today at 726-999-0108 to schedule a time for a free estimate. You can also schedule online. With our contactless inspection process, vehicle owners can be as involved in the process as much as they choose. You can either bring your car to the shop for an estimate or we can send one of our estimators to your location. The inspection process typically only takes about 15-20 minutes.

We will hand you your estimate on-the-spot and guarantee its accuracy 100%.If you have any questions, we can fix your vehicle and work directly with your insurance company regarding the claim.

All repairs come with a Lifetime Warranty.

99% of all dent damage (with no paint damage) can be repaired with paintless dent repair. If the dents and dings can’t be repaired with paintless dent removal, The Hail Shop USA only uses OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts.

Why? The Hail Shop USA stands behind their 100% restoration claim by only using OEM parts if the vehicle panel can not be restored back to its pre-damaged condition. Even if your insurance company will only cover the cost of an Aftermarket panel, we will ALWAYS make the upgrade and cover the cost to replace an unrepairable panel with an OEM part.

There are only a handful of repair shops that use only OEM parts. Typically, a dealer’s shop will work with OEM parts, and an independent auto body shop will work with aftermarket parts. 

What is the difference between OEM & Aftermarket Parts?

OEM parts are exact replicas of the original parts put in your vehicle. Aftermarket parts, however, are designed only similarly are typically cheaper. In some instances, aftermarket parts can function as well and sometimes better than OEM parts BUT sometimes they don’t. If you aren’t 100% sure about your own car and its parts, aftermarket parts might seem like an acceptable exchange for the more expensive OEM parts.

What are the pros and cons of aftermarket parts?

Here we go over some of the biggest pros and cons with aftermarket parts. Ultimately, when it comes to insurance companies, they will only cover the cost of aftermarket parts if a panel needs to be replaced due to severe hail damage.

OEM Parts Pros & Cons

Aftermarket Parts Pros & Cons

In the end, OEM parts are all created equal and with 100% consistency. Aftermarket parts are not created equal and quality can greatly vary. To be safe, The Hail Shop USA chooses to 100% restoration. Restoring your vehicle to it’s original condition is our goal.