Driving through a hailstorm can be scary. You’re dodging hailstones, bracing as they slam into your windshield, roof, and hood — ice bombs falling from the sky. It can sound like a war zone outside, and all you can do is hope your car makes it through without too much damage. But your vehicle can also sustain hail damage just sitting out in the open.
Hailstorms can leave your car covered in dents, cracked paint, or even broken glass. And if it’s happened to you, you’re probably wondering: How much does hail repair cost? In this blog, we’ll break down the numbers, compare repair options, and help you decide what makes the most sense for your vehicle and wallet, and why living in ‘Hail Alley’ might affect more than just your weather forecast. But first, what exactly is hail?
Hail — Where It Comes From and Why It’s So Damaging
Hail is made up of chunks of ice that get tossed around inside thunderclouds. Thanks to centrifugal force, they’re often round because they get smoothed out while spinning. As they swirl, they collect more layers of moisture and grow larger — until they’re too heavy to stay in the storm. Then gravity takes over. And when they fall, they fall hard. Even a quick storm can leave your car covered in dents, cracked windows, or worse.
Hailstones can range from the size of a pea to as big as a softball, and some of the largest can weigh over a pound. Dropping from thousands of feet in the air — sometimes at speeds over 100 miles per hour — they hit like a hammer. Depending on their size and impact, they can leave anything from minor dings to serious craters.
Hail damage to your vehicle can be surprisingly harmful. Sometimes, a car can be totaled, which can be expensive.
The Cost of Hail Damage Repair
The cost of repairing hail damage varies widely, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the severity of the damage. Here’s a general breakdown of the levels of damage and associated costs:
Minor Hail Damage:
- Small Dents Only: A few small dents with no paint damage
- Paintless Dent Repair: Usually repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR)
- Estimated Cost: $150 – $500
Moderate Hail Damage
- Number of panels: More than one panel affected
- Size of dents: Includes large, deep dents, not just dings
- Repair type: May require a mix of PDR and traditional body work
- Estimated Cost: $500 – $2,500
Severe Hail Damage
- The entire vehicle is affected: Roof, side panels, and back are all damaged.
- Extent of the damage: Includes cracked paint, broken trim, or shattered glass.
- Complete paint job: Often requires full panel replacements and repainting.
- Estimated Cost: $2,500 – $7,500+
Several factors contribute to the expense you’ll pay for hail damage to your vehicle.
Factors that Affect Hail Damage Repair Costs
If every snowflake is unique, then the same principle applies to hailstones, and as such, not all hail damage is created equal. Depending on the severity of the damage, you might get away with a minimal repair bill. On the other hand, extensive damage can be costly. Here are some conditions that affect the cost of hail damage repair.
- How many dents, exactly? The more dents, the higher the cost to fix the damage. A few minor dings on your hood won’t cost as much as multiple deep dents on the roof and panels of your vehicle.
- How big and deep are the dents? The bigger and deeper the dents, the more time and expertise are required. Larger or deeper dents caused by a golf ball or baseball-sized hailstones can push you into traditional bodywork territory.
- Where are the dents? Location is important. For example, flat surfaces like the roof, hood, or trunk are more accessible and cheaper to fix. Dents near edges, curves, or seams (like door frames or fenders) can be harder to reach and more expensive to repair.
- Paint Damage and Cracking: If your vehicle has also sustained paint damage because of the hail, then it’s no longer a straightforward PDR job and will require more extensive body damage repair
- Repair Method: Paintless dent repair is usually the cheapest and fastest. However, traditional auto body work is needed if the hail damage created deep holes or chipped the paint, and costs can rise significantly.
- Type of Vehicle: The more expensive the vehicle, the more expensive it is to repair, particularly for damage such as pearl or metallic finishes, which often cost more due to material complexity and labor.
- Labor Costs: If you live in an area such as Hail Alley in cities like Denver, for example, where hair repair specialists are in high demand, you’ll pay more for the repairs.
If your vehicle has suffered hail damage, you’ll need to get it fixed, and you’ll need to know how much it will cost.
Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage Repair?
In most cases, your insurance company will help cover the cost of hail damage repair. But, you’ll generally need a comprehensive and not a liability-only policy. Comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, falling trees, and hailstorms. First, a few things to consider:
- Deductible: If your damage is covered by insurance, Mile High Dents will cover your deductible, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket before repairs begin. Most deductibles range from $500 to $1,000, so keep that in mind when deciding whether to file a claim.
- Won’t raise your rates: The good news is that hail damage is considered an act of nature and won’t affect your premiums. This is especially important if you live in high-risk areas like Hail Alley, where insurance companies expect these claims.
- Liability-Only Insurance Won’t Cover It: Liability-only insurance won’t cover the cost of hail damage repair. Liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to other people or their property, not damage to your vehicle.
- Rental car coverage might help: If your car needs to be in the shop for a few days, having rental coverage as part of your policy can save you money and hassle while repairs are being made.
Hail Damage Repair Services Near You in Denver
The Front Range of Colorado — including Denver, Aurora, and Colorado Springs — is especially prone to hail due to elevation, moisture, and storm-forming conditions. The region experiences 7 to 9 hailstorms each year, making it one of the most hail-prone areas in the country. As a result, drivers in this region often face higher insurance premiums related to hail damage.
Mile High Dents specializes in comprehensive hail damage repair. Our team provides high-quality, reliable paintless dent repair (PDR) solutions throughout Denver and the surrounding areas.
Get a free quote today to learn more about the potential cost and repair timeline for your hail damage — and get back on the road dent-free.