Everything You Need To Know About Auto Hail Damage Repair

Tony Mers • March 30, 2020

The devastation from hail damage can be enormous and expensive. In the United States alone, there is an average of $15 billion in insured losses on average for both auto and home claims every year. Over half of windshield repairs on a car damaged by hail can be seven to 12 inches long. Here’s your guide to everything you need to know about auto hail damageand its repair costs.

Dent Repair Costs

The costs to repair auto hail damage highly depends on the number of dents and the size of the area that’s been impacted. You can expect to pay up to $45 for small dents, up to $55 for medium ones, and $75 or more for larger dents. On average, it costs about $2,500 for getting a car fixed. You can choose to either make the repairs yourself or have an auto body shop do it for you. If you choose to do it yourself, chances are your insurance company will not help pay for the costs to repair.

Professional Repair Options

There are a few professional options you can choose from for repairing dents from hail. If your car was severely pelted, you can have the entire body panels replaced. This labor-intensive option is the most expensive and you may want to only consider it as a last resort. An auto body repair technician can also use filler or glazing to fill in the dents. Be prepared that your car will need to be repainted after this work is completed.

An oxyacetylene torch can be a reliable method to repair large dents, but painting will also be required afterward. Paintless dent repair is one of the newest options available, and it’s cheaper and faster than the other available methods. It works by removing the damage from the inside without the need for harmful chemicals, sanding, or removing any panels. This paintless dent repair can work for any size dent.

Insurance Coverage

If your car has comprehensive insurance coverage, then you’ll be covered for the cost of repairs. You will most likely have to pay your deductible when you file a claim to have your insurance company cover the rest. Be sure to take plenty of pictures of the damage and get your vehicle into a professional car body shop immediately after the damage has occurred. If the expenses to repair the damage is more than the car is worth, the insurance company will consider your car totaled.

Auto hail damage can be a major inconvenience but it doesn’t have to break the bank to get your car as good as new again. With paintless dent repair, you can get your car back in as little as 24 hours. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get your car back in its proper shape!

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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.