What to Do After Your Car Is Damaged by Hail

Your First Steps After a Hailstorm

A hailstorm can move through quickly and leave behind more damage than is immediately obvious. Working through the situation methodically — rather than reactively — gives you clearer information and more options.

1. 1

   Make sure the vehicle is safe.

   Before closely inspecting for dents, check that the storm has passed and it is safe to approach the vehicle.

2. 2

   Photograph the damage.

   Document every affected panel before the vehicle moves, gets washed, or is touched by anyone else. Photos are important for insurance purposes.

3. 3

   Check the glass and lights.

   Inspect the windshield, rear glass, side windows, sunroof, mirrors, and any sensors or cameras mounted behind glass.

4. 4

   Review your insurance coverage.

   Check your policy — specifically whether you have comprehensive coverage, and what your deductible is.

5. 5

   Contact your insurer when appropriate.

   Report the loss to your carrier. Different insurers have different claim procedures; follow yours.

6. 6

   Have the vehicle professionally inspected.

   A qualified PDR technician can systematically assess the full extent of the damage, often revealing dents not visible in normal light.

7. 7

   Determine whether PDR is appropriate.

   Based on the inspection, you will know whether the damage qualifies for Paintless Dent Repair or will require conventional body repair.

8. 8

   Understand the estimate before authorizing repairs.

   Make sure you understand the scope, process, and expected outcome before any repair work begins.

Don't Assume Small Dents Mean a Small Repair

Hail storms can produce dozens or hundreds of dents across multiple panels on a single vehicle. A roof, hood, trunk lid, and all four doors can each carry significant damage from a single storm. The total number and spread of dents — not just the size of individual ones — determines the scope of the repair.

It is also common for damage to be more visible in professional inspection lighting than in natural light. A vehicle that looks lightly dinged in a parking lot may show considerably more damage under proper reflection lighting. This is one reason a professional inspection matters — and why insurance estimates made in inadequate lighting sometimes need to be supplemented later.

Document the Damage

Good documentation protects you throughout the insurance and repair process. Take photos promptly, before the vehicle is moved or cleaned.

Useful shots to capture:

• Hood and roof — typically the most exposed panels in a storm
• Trunk or decklid
• All four doors
• Quarter panels
• Close-ups of areas with concentrated damage
• Wide vehicle shots showing the full scope of affected panels
• Any cracked or broken glass
• Damaged trim, antenna, or external components

If you can, include a time stamp or photograph alongside a newspaper, your phone showing the date, or a visible weather report. This reinforces the connection between the storm event and the documented damage.

Check for Safety-Related Damage

Most hail damage is cosmetic, but certain types can affect safe operation of the vehicle. Before driving after a storm, check:

• Windshield and rear glass — cracks can spread and impair visibility
• Sunroof glass — hail impacts can cause delayed cracking
• Mirror glass and mirror housing
• Headlights and taillights — cracked lenses can compromise function
• Cameras or sensors mounted behind or near glass — modern vehicles increasingly rely on these for safety features
• Exterior trim or antenna — loose pieces can become road hazards

If there is any concern about a safety system — adaptive cruise, lane assist, backup camera — have it inspected before relying on it.

Contacting Your Insurance Company

Hail damage is generally addressed under comprehensive auto insurance rather than collision coverage. If you have comprehensive coverage, contact your carrier to report the loss and understand their claim process.

Different carriers handle the process differently. Some send an adjuster to inspect the vehicle; others direct you to a preferred shop or allow you to obtain estimates independently. Follow the process your carrier specifies — deviating from it can complicate the claim.

For a more detailed overview of how auto insurance typically handles hail damage, see our guide Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Get a Professional Hail Damage Assessment

A professional inspection is different from a casual look at your car in the driveway. PDR technicians use purpose-built reflection lighting to reveal the full surface of each panel and systematically count and evaluate every dent.

This matters because hail damage is frequently more extensive than it appears in ordinary light. A professional assessment gives you accurate information before you commit to a repair path or complete an insurance claim.

To understand what a professional estimate involves, see What Happens During a PDR Hail Damage Estimate?

Is Paintless Dent Repair an Option?

PDR is an option when the vehicle's paint is intact and the dents are suitable for the process. Many hail events produce exactly the kind of damage PDR is designed for — rounded dents in metal with undamaged paint. In those cases, a trained technician can carefully manipulate the metal back toward its original shape without repainting.

PDR is not appropriate for all hail damage. Factors that affect suitability include the depth and sharpness of dents, whether the paint is cracked or chipped, panel accessibility, and whether any metal has stretched beyond what can be safely worked. A professional assessment will determine what applies to your vehicle.

For a thorough explanation of what PDR can and cannot repair, see Can Hail Damage Be Repaired Without Repainting?

What If the Paint Is Damaged?

If hail has cracked, chipped, or scratched the paint, PDR alone is not sufficient for those areas. Paint damage requires conventional body repair — which may involve filling, sanding, and repainting the affected panels.

A vehicle can have some areas suitable for PDR and others that need conventional repair. A thorough inspection will identify which panels fall into each category.

Should I Repair Hail Damage If the Car Still Drives Fine?

Hail damage is typically cosmetic and does not affect a vehicle's mechanical operation. Whether to repair it is a practical decision that depends on several factors:

• Appearance. Visible dents across multiple panels affect how the vehicle presents. Whether that matters is a personal decision.
• Resale and trade-in value. Hail damage can reduce what buyers or dealers offer. Repairing it — especially if covered by insurance — may preserve value. See our guide on repairing before selling.
• Lease considerations. If the vehicle is leased, review the lease agreement for damage policies. You may be responsible for cosmetic damage at turn-in.
• Paint protection. If paint is chipped or cracked — even in small areas — leaving it unaddressed can allow moisture to reach the underlying metal over time.
• Insurance timing. If you have comprehensive coverage and a manageable deductible, there may be a limited window during which a storm-related claim makes sense to file.

There is no single right answer for every vehicle owner. Getting a professional assessment first gives you the information you need to decide.

Hail Damage Repair Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions