Is It Worth Fixing Hail Damage on a Car? Deciding factors

Hailstorms can be pretty scary and can cause big damage to your car. The hail often comes during the heavy rain, and it’s like a collection of big ice balls. If you live in a region where there is more rain and hail storms, you will experience hail damage to your car. So, is it worth fixing hail damage on a car? Let’s explore the different factors in this guide that will help you decide whether you should fix the hail damage or replace the part.

Table of contents

• What actual hail damage is?
• Is It Worth Fixing Hail Damage on a Car?
• Hidden Costs of Fixing Hail Damage on a Car: Is It Worth It?
• Insurance Coverage Evaluation
• Types of Hail Damage
• Pros and Cons of Fixing Hail Damage
• Repair vs. Replacement
• Future value impact
• Myths About Whether to Fix Hail Damage or Not
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What actual hail damage is?

Hail damage to the car happens when big ice balls hit your car during hailstorms. These ice balls produce scratches on the paint, dents on the car body, and other damages to your car. Most of the time, they can break the whole window and completely damage the exterior of the car.

The extent of damage depends on the size of the ice balls and the speed of the hail storm. Hail damage can make your car look bad and can affect its performance over time.

Is It Worth Fixing Hail Damage on a Car?

Now, the important question that arises is, “Is it worth fixing hail damage on a car?”. It depends on the extent of the damage and the repair cost. If there are a few scratches or small dents, you can go to a repair shop to fix them.

In comparison, if there are big dents or broken parts, repairing them might cost more than replacing them. In this case, buying a whole new car part is a more affordable option than repairing it. So, think about how much it will cost and check whether your insurance covers it.

Cost considerations

Cost is the most important factor that helps you decide whether you should fix the hail damage on your car or not. Here are some things to consider regarding cost estimation and car repair:

Repair estimates

Get a cost estimate from different car repair shops to fix the hail damage on your vehicle. The professional team will analyze the extent of damage and give you an approximate cost estimate. Getting an estimate from multiple mechanics will help you know about the cost and make a decision about repairing.

DIY vs. Professionals

If the hail damage to your car is less and you can fix it on your own, repairing it will be less costly. In comparison, if the extent of damage is too high, hire the experts because they have the right tools and enough experience. Hiring experts to repair big scratches and dents is costly. In that case, you will have to decide whether it is worth fixing hail damage on a car or not.

Long-term savings

If you do not repair the car for a long time, the hail damage can get even worse. Fixing hail damage might seem expensive, but it can save you from expensive repairs in the long run. One common case is that dents and scratches lead to rust, and rust can completely destroy the car parts. These cost considerations can assist you in answering the question, “Is it worth fixing hail damage on a car?”

Hidden Costs of Fixing Hail Damage on a Car: Is It Worth It?

When thinking about fixing hail damage, remember that there can be hidden costs. For example, you make a cost estimate for repairing the dent, but you might have to pay extra for new paint. It’s helpful to know how much paint to paint a car, as this can affect your overall repair costs. Moreover, if you decide to repair the car yourself and get stuck in something, you might have to pay to hire an expert. Here are some important aspects to consider before making the decision for hail damage repair:

1. Additional Repairs

Before deciding whether it is worth fixing hail damage or not, give attention to hidden costs. Many hidden issues can appear during the process of fixing hail damage on a car. The additional repairs can require extra work, increasing overall costs and complicating the repair decision.

2. Rust Prevention

If the hail damage is very severe, your car may need treatment to prevent rust. Although this treatment costs some money, it protects the car’s surface and increases its lifespan.

3. Paint Matching When Deciding to Fix Hail Damage

Accurate paint matching is crucial for a seamless look. If the paint is highly damaged due to exposure to hailing, you need an expert for paint matching. The process can cost extra charges and can affect your overall repair budget.

4. Time Delays

Unforeseen complications can extend repair time. Delays in repairing hail damage can increase costs. Therefore, when deciding whether to fix hail damage or not, also keep in mind unexpected delays.

5. Parts Replacement

Sometimes, repairing is not enough, and parts need replacement. If some of the parts need replacement, like a car window or other body parts, the fixing cost will be very high.

6. Labor Costs

The labor cost depends on the skill level of the renter. The complex repairs demand extra labor, which increases the overall cost. So, you should also keep that in mind when deciding to fix hail damage and selecting the denter or mechanic.

7. Insurance Deductible

Your insurance policy might have a high deductible. This out-of-pocket expense contributes to the overall financial burden of the repair.

8. Is it worth fixing hail damage or not? Depreciation

Delaying the hail repair process or improper repairing results in lowering your car’s value. This depreciation may have a long-term impact when selling your car. You can trade in a damaged car, but the value might be very low.

This table showcases the summary of hidden costs when deciding to repair hail damage on your vehicle.

Hidden cost type	Description	Potential Impact
Additional repairs	Unseen damage that requires further repairs	Increased overall repair cost
Rust prevention	Treatments needed to prevent rust after dents or scratches	Added expense to ensure longevity
Paint matching	Extra cost to match car’s original paint color	Ensures a seamless repair, but can be costly
Time delays	Extended repair time due to unforeseen complications	Increased inconvenience and potential rental car costs
Parts replacement	Need to replace parts instead of repairing	Higher cost than expected
Labor costs	Extra labor for more complicated repairs	Higher than initial labor estimate
Insurance deductible	Out-of-pocket cost before insurance covers repairs	Immediate financial burden
Depreciation	Reduced car value if damage isn’t repaired properly	Long-term financial impact when selling the car

Insurance Coverage Evaluation

If you decide to repair the hail damage on your car, you must check your insurance policy. Figure out whether your insurance policy covers the hail damage or not. If your insurance policy covers it, you can save a lot of money; otherwise, you will have to pay the repair fee. You can contact your insurance service provider or read the insurance agreement to get these details.

Types of Hail Damage

Is it worth fixing hail damage on a car? Knowing about the type of damage helps you answer this question. Hail can cause different types of damage to a car, which are listed below:

Dents

Dents are the small and round marks on cars, which are the most common type of hail damage. Dents can vary in size depending on how hard the snowball hit the car. While dents might not seem like a big deal, they can affect the look and value of your car.

Scratches

Another common type of hail damage is scratches on the car’s paint. These scratches can range from small, light lines to deep, noticeable marks. Scratches look very bad on a car and can make your car look very old and rough. You must fix the scratches as soon as possible because fixing them does not cost much and is a little bit easy.

Cracks

Cracks usually occur in the glass or plastic parts of your car. These parts are fragile, and when the snowballs hit them, they either fully broke or cracked. If the crack is repairable, fix it as soon as possible because it can become big over time. However, in some cases, the cracks are not repairable, and you might have to change the whole part.

Paint Damage

In severe hailstorm situations, hail can peel the paint of your car, especially on top surfaces. This type of damage is very critical because, without paint, the metal car body is exposed to rust. Once the car body gets rusted, the rust continues to grow and can destroy the car body completely. Therefore, you must fix the paint in such a situation quickly to protect your car from rust. You must know how to wash a ceramic coated car to prevent rust and protect the car body.

Pitting

Pitting is the small round indentation on the surface of the car body. These indentations can make your car’s paint look uneven and can lead to bigger problems if not fixed. You should instantly fix the pitting on your car because fixing it is very easy and less costly.

Pros and Cons of Fixing Hail Damage

Are you still deciding whether to fix the hail damage? Check these pros and cons to help you make an informed decision:

Pros

1. Fixing the hail damage can increase the appearance of your car and increase its resale value.
2. If you want to restore the integrity of your car, consider fixing hail damage on your vehicle.
3. If your car is insured, you can confidently make the decision to fix hail damage. The repair cost will be covered by your insurance service provider.
4. Addressing the damage quickly can prevent small dents from worsening over time.
5. Choosing an expert for hail damage repair helps maintain the original look of a car.
6. Fixing cosmetic damage can boost your car’s visual appeal and increase its resale value.

Cons

1. Repairing heavy hail damage can cost a lot of money, especially if your car is not insured.
2. So, it is worth fixing hail damage on a financed car, but it can be costly for uninsured cars.
3. Sometimes, hail damage repair can take too long, and you might have to manage travel activities without your own car.
4. Poor-quality repairs can reduce the car’s aesthetic appeal and even its value.
5. Hidden damage might not be visible immediately, which can increase repair costs later.
6. If the paint is damaged, matching the original paint can be challenging.
7. If the paint job is not done correctly after fixing hail damage, it can lead to rust over time.

Repair vs. Replacement

Whether you should repair hail damage on a car or replace the whole part depends on the extent of the damage. If the dents and scratches are small, choose to repair; otherwise, replace the part. Moreover, if the repair costs more than replacement, replacing the whole part is a wise decision. You can also ask experts to inspect your car and ask them whether you should fix the hail damage on the car or not.

Future Value: Is It Worth Fixing Hail Damage on a car?

Fixing the repairable hail damage on your vehicle is essential for proper car maintenance. If you plan to sell your car in the future, a car with visible hail damage will be worth less than a car that looks well-maintained. Therefore, repairing the hail damage or replacing the damaged part can make your car look good and increase its value.

Myths About Whether to Fix Hail Damage or Not

Myth 1: Minor hail damage doesn’t affect the car’s value. The truth is that even small dents can decrease resale value over time.

Myth 2: DIY fixes always work fine. The truth is that DIY repairs may seem cost-effective but can lead to more damage and bad effects on car appearance.

Myth 3: Hail damage is purely cosmetic. But in reality some dents may hide structural issues, and repairing them quickly helps to prevent issues like rust.

Myth 4: Insurance always covers hail damage repairs fully. The truth is policies vary, and deductibles can be high.

Myth 5: It’s not worth fixing if the damage is old. In reality, even older damage can worsen over time, and timely repair can keep your car safe from more severe damage.

Myth 6: Replacing parts is always better than repairing. The truth is sometimes repairs are more cost-effective.

Myth 7: Hail damage fixes ruin the car’s finish. In reality, modern repair techniques and professional workers can restore your car to near-original quality.

Conclusion

So, is it worth fixing hail damage on the car? It depends on the extent of damage and the repair cost. Before starting the repair, confirm the repair cost and check whether your insurance policy covers it. Fixing the hail damage is expensive and takes time, but it can increase the look and value of your car.