Hail can be a painful and unpleasant weather condition, especially for car owners. Often the sound of falling ice will cause you to worry that your car is in danger, especially if you have to park outside of your home or office. After a big storm, you may not know how to check your car for hail damage, or you might be unsure if the damage you find is from hail or other sources.
Here are some ways you can identify hail damage on your vehicle:
- Dents: These are probably the most well-known effects of hail. Depending on the size of the precipitation, you may find small dents throughout your hood and roof, or even on your doors if it falls in the right way. These dents are not uniform throughout, and although they often leave the paint intact, they are still a nuisance when discovered.
- Scratches: More severe hailstorms can sometimes damage more than just the frame. If the hail is large or strong enough, the paint or windshield may end up with scratches and scuffs. These are harder to identify than dents, as cars can get scratched in a number of ways, but if you find them after a heavy storm, it’s likely that they are a sign of hail damage.
- Severe Damage: In the worst-case scenarios, hail can be a massively destructive force. Although rare, broken mirrors and windshields have been found after hailstorms before. These are the most obvious evidences of hail damage, but thankfully they are a rather uncommon occurrence.
If you find hail damage on your car, check with your insurance agency. It’s possible that weather-related damage may be covered by your plan. Either way, you’ll need to take your car in for repair. Dents can affect the internal workings of the car, and scratches can turn into something worse if left untreated. Don’t take the risk – get your hail damage fixed as soon as possible.