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STORM DAMAGE
Hail Damage Repair in Massachusetts
Rarer here than in the Midwest, and every few summers the Valley gets a storm that proves it still happens.
Hail damage is unusual in that the car is normally still perfectly drivable and still worth repairing. The panels are dimpled, the paint is often intact, and how it is repaired depends almost entirely on that second point.
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Photograph it in good light
Hail dents hide in flat light and appear in raking sun. Photograph the roof, hood and trunk from a low angle, because that is where the damage concentrates and where an adjuster will look.
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This is a comprehensive claim
Weather damage falls under comprehensive coverage, not collision. It is not an at-fault event, and the deductible is often lower. If you carry comprehensive, a hail claim is usually worth making.
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Paintless dent removal comes first
Where the paint is unbroken, the dents are worked out from behind and the factory finish stays on the car. That is faster, cheaper and a better outcome than refinishing, and it is always the first thing we assess.
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Where the paint broke, panels get refinished
Larger stones crack the paint, and once that happens the panel needs proper repair and refinishing to stop water finding the metal. A roof full of chipped paint left alone becomes rust in a New England winter.
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Do not wait for the next storm
Dimples are cosmetic until the coating is broken. Once it is, the clock starts on corrosion, and road salt shortens it considerably.
Common questions
The rest of what people ask
Is paintless dent removal really as good?
Where the paint is intact it is better, because nothing is refinished. The original factory coating stays exactly as it left the plant, which is something no repaint can match.
Will a hail claim raise my premium?
Comprehensive weather claims are generally treated differently from at-fault collisions, but rating is your insurer's decision. Ask them before deciding.
My car is old. Is it worth repairing?
Sometimes not, and we will say so. If the paint is unbroken and the car is otherwise sound, paintless repair is often cheap enough to be worth it anyway.
How long does hail repair take?
Paintless work depends on the number of dents rather than parts, so it is usually predictable. Refinishing adds time for paint and cure.
Storm damage? Let us look at it
Send photos in good light and we will tell you whether it is a paintless job or a refinish.