5 Things To Know Before Filing an Auto Hail Damage Claim

River North Collision Repair • June 16, 2022

The summer season in the Midwest means warmer weather, green grass, and the start of hail season. Hail can lead to severe damage to your car’s exterior and windshield, leading to costly repairs.

Our explainer breaks down the vital things you should know before filing an auto hail damage claim.

#1 Don’t Wait

When discovering hail damage on your vehicle, the last thing you want to do is take your time filing a claim. The first call you make should be to your insurance company.

Odds are, if your car sustained hail damage, many other vehicles in the area did as well. Your insurance company will probably be inundated with phone calls, and you don’t want to wait on hold all day. Plus, if your car sustains more hail damage the next day, the previous damage would be considered “pre-existing” and not covered.

#2 It’ll Probably Cost More Than You Think

Many people see a few minor dents on their car and think it’s only cosmetic and not a big deal, so what’s the point of filing a claim? The average repair costs for even light hail damage are around $5,000. For more extensive damage, it can rise to $8,000 or more!

Think of the damage as a loss of value on your car, one of your best assets. Not getting it repaired is like losing $5,000 from your bank account.

#3 The Choice is Yours

When you start your claim, your insurance company will likely provide a preferred list of vendors for you to get repairs. But this list is by no means obligatory! You’re allowed to choose whichever auto shop or collision repair shop you want.

If you need hail damage repair in Chicago , you don’t need to wait for permission from your insurance company to visit River North Collision Repair!

#4 It’s Not Your Fault

One of the most important things to know before filing an auto hail damage claim is that it’s not your fault. Insurance categorizes hail damage as a no-fault claim, or “Act of God.”

What does this mean for you? It means your premiums won’t go up after you file because it wasn’t your fault. If there’s extensive damage to many cars in the area, there may be a premium increase, but it would be for all drivers, whether you filed a claim or not.

#5 Beware the Initial Estimate

After contacting the insurance company, they will have an appraiser make an initial estimate on the damage. You should be there for this appraisal and keep in mind that rarely are the initial estimates comprehensive.

On average, initial estimates consistently undervalue the damage, which could lead you to pay a hefty chunk of the cost yourself. Don’t just accept their initial assessment; seek a second opinion and more thorough examination.

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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.