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Can Hailstones Cause Paint Damage?
In this article, we will talk about is your vehicle’s paint job can be damaged by hail and what to do if your hail damage repair claim has been denied by your insurance company due to paint damage.
It is a terrible feeling when you watch as your vehicle gets pounded by hail. Maybe you are at work and do not have access to covered parking. It could be that you do not have a garage and driving your vehicle to safety in a damaging hail storm just isn’t possible.
A big question we get from vehicle owners that call us for hail damage repair is, “Does hail damage hurt the paint?”
In most cases, no.
In some cases, when the hailstones that are striking your vehicle are over a couple of inches in diameter, yes – paint damage can happen, BUT, it is a bit rare. Of the thousands of vehicles we have inspected over the years for auto hail damage, we have seen this maybe 2-3.
If you feel that hail damage has damaged the paint on your vehicle, we can inspect the damage for free and if we feel it was the hail that caused paint damage, we will take that up with your insurance company.
How Does Hail Damage Happen?
Auto hail damage happens when a hailstone, typically 1 – 1 1/2″ in diameter, strikes a panel and leaves behind a dent. A good description of how hail damage will look on very badly damaged vehicle is “dimpled”.
Natural hail is relatively soft and, typically, does not harm paint.
What To Do If Insurance Company Denies The Hail Damage Claim
If your insurance adjuster denies your hail damage claim and you feel they are incorrect and the auto hail damage DID chip, crack or damage your paint in any way, you can do the following.
Let your insurance company know that you need their decision in writing, not just over the phone. If the adjuster says that is not possible, ask for a supervisor. If they still won’t do it, get in touch with your state’s insurance regulation department and initiate a written complaint. Send a copy of that letter to the insurance company.
How To Initiate A Complaint To Your States Insurance Regulatory Department
1. Contact your insurance company or agent and bring the problem to their attention. Document your phone calls by noting the name of the person you speak to, the date of the call and a brief summary of the conversation. Keep copies of all written communications.
2. If you are not satisfied with the results you receive, contact the Department of Insurance for assistance. Insurance analysts are available to answer general questions by phone. However, complaints must be submitted in writing.
The Hail Shop USA Insurance Questions & Free Inspections
If you need help initiating your auto hail damage claim or you are concerned that your claim might be denied due to paint damage, we are here to help. Give us a call today at 800-485-9026 and we will everything we can to make sure you get covered if you DO have hail damage that has damaged your vehicles paint.
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