5 Common Mistakes and Questions About Fixing Hail Damage

River North Collision Repair • August 9, 2022

Has there been hail in your area recently or a storm forecasted soon? Vehicle damage is common during the hailstorm season. Make sure you’re prepared to fix it with our guide of typical mistakes and questions from car owners regarding hail damage.

1. Neglecting the Damage

Hail damage doesn’t always manifest in huge, noticeable dents or cracked windshields—often, it’s minor dents and scratches. Some car owners will look at the exterior hail damage and shrug their shoulders, thinking it’s no big deal.

But even minor dents and scratches from hail could lead to more severe, long-term damage to the car than simple cosmetic harm. The longer you wait to fix the damage, the worse the effects of the hail could be. It may devalue the resale value of the vehicle.

2. Waiting Too Long for Repairs

Another common mistake we see from car owners about fixing hail damage is they hesitate for days, weeks, or even months before finally bringing the vehicle in for repairs. If a car owner waits too long, the hail damage could be considered preexisting damage for the insurance company, and the coverage will no longer include repairs.

Pro Tip: If your car gets hail damage, call the insurance company immediately to begin the claim-filing process and get it to a repair shop as soon as possible.

Plus, driving with hail damage to your vehicle is dangerous—no matter how insignificant or minor it may be. Even the slightest dent compromises the safety integrity of a car.

3. DIYing Hail Damage

Some car owners see a small dent or scratch from hail and think they can buff it out themselves. While the motivation is admirable, it’s best to let the professionals handle things like paintless dent repair.

Often, paintless dent repair is the method to fix dents and cracks from hail damage—but it requires dedicated training and specialized tools to do it correctly and safely. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could do more harm than good to your vehicle.

4. Will Filing a Hail Damage Claim Raise My Insurance Premiums?

Many car owners worry about their insurance premiums rising when they file a hail damage claim. But hail damage is a no-fault claim and generally falls under a car owner’s comprehensive coverage.

If hail damages your vehicle, odds are other cars in the area were similary affected—which means that premium rates will probably go up for everyone regardless. You might as well file a claim and have the insurance cover repairs if your premiums go up anyway!

5. Are All Paintless Dent Repair Shops the Same?

Sadly, no. While many auto shops may offer paintless dent repair, that doesn’t mean they’re experts in the repair method.

It’s better to trust an experienced shop with expert service technicians like River North Collision Repair for hail damage car repair in Chicago. We know how to get your vehicle looking like new quickly and at an affordable cost.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.