5 Costly Mistakes People Make When Dealing With Hail Damage

When hail hits in Colorado, the damage can feel overwhelming. Minor dings, big dents, and even cracked windshields can leave your car looking battered — and your wallet bracing for impact. What you do after the hailstorm can make the repair process and out-of-pocket costs a hassle-free experience. 

If you’re in ‘Hail Alley’ anywhere in Colorado, choosing professional dent removal in Denver ensures your car gets properly restored and back on the road quickly. In this article, we’ll walk you through the five most common (and costly) mistakes car owners make when dealing with hail damage, and how to avoid them.

You’ve Just Come Through a Hailstorm With Damage

This guide is designed for Colorado drivers who’ve experienced hail damage and aren’t sure what to do next. If you:

• Worry about whether your insurance will cover repairs
• Don’t want to get stuck paying more than you need to
• Want your car restored to like-new condition without a new paint job
• Care about preserving your vehicle’s value long-term
• Are considering DIY fixes but aren’t sure if it’s a smart move

— then this article is for you.

Whether you drive a daily commuter, a cherished SUV, or a brand-new truck, understanding these mistakes will help you protect your investment and get the repairs done right the first time.

Avoid Mistakes and Get Back on the Road Faster

The goal is to restore your car and get it back on the road as quickly as possible without any roadblocks. Here are some common mistakes to avoid. 

Mistake #1: Don’t Wait Too Long to File a Claim

One of the drivers’ most expensive errors is waiting too long to notify their insurance company about hail damage. Check your policy immediately and determine how many days you must file a claim. If you wait too long, your insurer can deny your claim. In Colorado, hailstorms are frequent, and insurers know the drill. Remember, if you’ve just come through a hailstorm, so have many other drivers, and everyone is trying to get their hail-damaged car fixed simultaneously! 

By delaying, you risk:

• Missing the filing window and having to cover repairs out of pocket
• Letting dents worsen over time as metal expands and contracts with temperature changes
• Complicating the claims process is the fact that insurers may question whether the damage is recent

When the storm clears, take photos of the damage in good lighting and call your insurance provider. Even if you’re not sure repairs are needed, filing early preserves your claim and gives you peace of mind.

Mistake #2: Trying DIY Dent Removal

If your hail damage is limited to minor dents and dings, you can easily repair it yourself. It is tempting to grab a YouTube tutorial and a hair dryer or suction cup kit. However, DIY repair usually makes things worse and is best handled by professionals.

• Stretch or crack the paint
• Distort the panel so the dent looks worse
• Create weak spots in the metal that can’t be corrected later

Most drivers would prefer Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) to restore their vehicle because it’s inexpensive and doesn’t require a new paint job. Unlike a DIYer, PDR technicians use precision tools and techniques to massage dents without sanding, fillers, or repainting. The process preserves your factory finish, maintains your vehicle’s value, and prevents expensive future repairs.

DIY may seem cheaper up front, but if you damage the paint, you’ll pay for a full body shop repaint — which can cost thousands.

Mistake #3: Choosing the Cheapest Repair Option

We all want to save money, but in hail damage repair, the cheapest option is often the most expensive long-term. Fly-by-night repair crews sometimes roll into Denver after a storm, offering “fast and cheap” dent removal in parking lots. They may disappear before you realize:

• The repairs weren’t completed properly
• Dents reappear because shortcuts were taken
• Your warranty is worthless because the company has vanished

Instead, choose a trusted local shop with years of experience and verified reviews. Established Denver repair specialists stand by their work and offer guarantees that protect you for years.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Small Dents and Dings

Those little dings now seem like a big deal; you might even be able to see them except in the right light. It’s easy to shrug off “a few small dents” as cosmetic issues, but ignoring them is costly. Those minor dents can grow and produce extensive bodywork, especially a new paint job. Like with so many things, ignoring the little things often leads to significant problems later. In the case of hail damage to your car, here are a few examples. 

• Lower your car’s resale or trade-in value by thousands.
• Allow rust to form if the paint is cracked or weakened
• Multiply over time as new hail adds to existing weak spots

Think of dents like cavities in teeth — the sooner you fix them, the simpler and cheaper the repair. 

Mistake #5: Not Understanding the Insurance Repair Process

Insurers in places like Colorado, which sits directly on the path of Hail Alley, are well-versed in hail damage coverage. Just because you think the damage should be covered doesn’t mean your insurer will play ball. Many drivers assume their insurance company will cover hail damage and guide them through the process. However, misunderstandings can cost you, so you need to keep communication frequent and clear to avoid common mistakes. 

• Not knowing you can choose your own repair shop (not just the one insurance suggests)
• Settling for a low payout that doesn’t cover the full repair
• Overlooking rental car coverage while your vehicle is being fixed

Shops specializing in hail damage repair often work directly with insurers to minimize hassle and maximize your claim’s value.

Hail Damage Repair Services Come With the Territory in Denver

Denver sits in the heart of “Hail Alley” — the region that sees more large hailstorms than anywhere else in North America. If you live here, it’s not a question of if your car will face hail damage — it’s when. Too many drivers make costly mistakes after a storm, from waiting too long to file a claim to ignoring minor dents that later hurt resale value.

At Mile High Dents, we restore hail-damaged vehicles every day. Whether your car has a handful of dings or widespread panel damage, the smartest first step is scheduling a professional evaluation to understand your repair options. If you have questions about hail damage or want to prevent other common mistakes, call us at (720) 772-0133. Our team is here to guide you through the process and make sure your repair is done right the first time.