How Does Hail Damage Affect Your Car's Value?

Hail is one of those weather phenomena that can wreak havoc on property like vehicles, and there’s not much a car owner can do about it. Our guide will explain how hail damage affects your car’s value and insurance policy.

Unrepaired Hail Damage Can Tank Your Car’s Value

Hail damage is, unfortunately, more than a minor inconvenience. And if you leave it unrepaired, it can cost you thousands of dollars in lost asset value for the vehicle. It may seem like a simple cosmetic concern, but even minor dents on a car can be a breeding ground for more severe problems, such as rust.

Plus, if you ever plan on reselling your vehicle, the appearance of dents and scrapes on the outside won’t do you any favors in attracting buyers. Whatever the cost of the hail damage may be, it’s in your best interest to file an insurance claim or repair it as soon as possible.

Does Repaired Hail Hurt Your Vehicle’s Resale Value?

Hail damage is typically not a significant detriment to a vehicle’s resale value as long as you have it repaired since it mostly affects its surface. If your car has hail damage and needs immediate fixing, call River North Collision Repair. We offer affordable dent repair in Chicago that’ll have your vehicle looking as good as new in no time!

Hail damage can also crack windshields (which we can repair as well), and you should replace or repair damaged windshields immediately to avoid further splintering and other problems. So long as you take care of your vehicle when it needs repairs, its resale value will remain high.

Pro-Tip: If hail is in the forecast and you don’t have a garage or shelter for your car, park your vehicle facing the storm—its windshield is more capable of withstanding hail than its side or rear windows.

Does a Hail Damage Claim Raise My Insurance Rate?

Some car owners get nervous about filing an insurance claim for hail damage because they worry that it can increase their insurance rates. But no, one hail damage claim won’t increase your insurance rate.

If hail is frequent in your area and you have to file multiple claims, then your rate may increase. But that’ll happen regardless of whether you file a claim. Your rates will probably go up for being in a hail-heavy region, so you might as well cash in on a claim anyway.

We hope our guide has helped you learn more about hail damage and how it can affect your car’s resale value. Remember, if you ever need hail or windshield damage repair in Chicago, don’t hesitate to contact the River North Collision Repair experts!