When your vehicle has been damaged by hail, you must find a repair shop that can provide quality repairs and restore your car to its pre-loss condition. However, it’s essential to understand that not all auto body shops are created equal.
Choosing the right shop can save you time, money, and hassle. Here are some essential questions to ask:
How Long Have You Been in Business?
In the auto repair industry, experience is essential. You want to choose a shop with the experience and knowledge to complete the repairs on time and within budget. Also, ensure the shop works with your insurance company and offers rental car options.
Typically, the most affordable option for hail damage repair Lakewood CO is paintless dent repair or PDR. This specialized and meticulous process returns dents to their original shape without replacing or repairing metal panels. Conventional body repair, on the other hand, uses filler substances to restore damaged areas of a vehicle’s panel.
Depending on the severity of your vehicle’s damage, PDR can take a few days to complete from drop off to pick up. However, vehicles with extensive damage may need to undergo a combination of PDR and conventional repair methods, which can increase the time it takes for your car to be completed.
What Type of Experience Do You Have?
When looking for an auto body shop to repair hail damage, you must find out how much experience they have. If they have a lot of experience, it means that they’re more likely to be able to do the job properly and quickly.
It’s also important to ask whether or not they have any certifications. Many auto body shops claim to be certified, but you’ll want to ensure they have a valid certificate from a reputable organization.
It’s also a good idea to ask the auto body shop how long they expect the repairs to take. This will help you to plan and avoid any surprises. You’ll also want to know if they offer rental car services.
Do You Offer a Warranty?
The shop you choose to repair auto hail damage should offer a written warranty. This warranty should cover all of the repair work done to your vehicle. This includes repairing your car’s paint, replacing parts during the repair, and restoring your car to its pre-loss condition.
A warranty is a great way to give you peace of mind that your repairs will be done right. Ask the shop before deciding if you have any questions about the warranty. Also, make sure you understand what’s excluded from the warranty. Some things that aren’t covered by a warranty include any additional costs you might incur during the repair process, towing fees, and rental or loaner vehicles.
Do You Work with Insurance Companies?
If your vehicle has been damaged in a hailstorm, it is essential to have the repairs done as soon as possible. If the damage goes unaddressed, it will continue to devalue your car. It can also lead to rust and paint chipping.
Insurance adjusters often give limited time to examine vehicles for hail damage. They may take pictures of your damage and send them to a body shop for an estimate. Since seeing dents in photographs is challenging, this can lead to inaccurate estimates.
A reputable auto body shop will work with your insurance company and ensure that all necessary repairs are made to return your vehicle to its pre-loss condition. They will be able to explain any supplements that may be required and the estimated repair time.
How Long Will the Repair Take?
If your car is damaged by hail, the amount of time it will take to repair it depends on several factors. Some body shops can be bustling after a hail storm, and they may have to wait weeks or months to start working on your car.
Paintless dent repair, or PDR, is a method of auto hail damage repair that can be much faster than conventional body shop techniques. It involves manipulating the metal of your vehicle’s frame to remove dents and dings without painting, sanding, or filling.
During the estimate, your vehicle must be clean so the estimator can see all visible damage. If any parts need to be ordered, it will extend the time needed for your repair. These additional operations or parts are called supplements and will be explained with an adjusted pickup date.
