FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand the automotive repair process may be new to some of you. If you are unsure about what to expect, explore some of the frequently asked questions below.

My car was damaged by hail. Am I covered?
Most comprehensive insurance plans cover hail damage, sometimes known as ‘other than collision damage,’ which also covers hazards such as vandalism and theft. However, you will have to pay your deductible amount, and often, minor hail damage isn’t worth claiming because the repair costs do not exceed the deductible.

I can live with some dings; do I have to fix my car?
If you own your car outright, the choice to repair the hail-damaged car is yours. However, if your car is involved in an accident — whether it’s your fault or not — the pre-existing hail damage would be deducted from any settlement. If you have a loan outstanding on the car, you will likely need to repair it. Any settlement check will arrive made out to both you and your lienholder, which will want the value of the asset it still owns protected.

Cosmetically, repairing dents, dings, and hail damage enhances the appearance of your vehicle and helps maintain its highest value.

Will a hail claim increase my insurance premiums?
It depends upon your state’s laws and insurance carrier’s rating system, but generally, comprehensive claims of this nature don’t affect your rates. There are even some states that don’t allow surcharges for comprehensive claims or claims where you are not at fault. Claims for damages caused by natural events typically are not held against you since they are unforeseeable and out of your control. However, please verify with your insurer to confirm.

Keep in mind that even if your rates can’t be raised due to a hail claim, the number of claims placed against your policy can affect your rates. If you have recently placed other claims, the total amount of claims made could increase your risk assessment, resulting in higher premiums.

What happens if I decide to keep my hail-totaled car?
If your car is declared totaled due to a hail claim and you intend to keep driving it, ask your insurance company to purchase the vehicle for its salvage value. If your car was worth $12,000 before the hailstorm and your insurance company assigns a salvage value of $7,000, they will send you a check for the difference, minus your deductible, of course.

You may need an inspection before the car is allowed back on the road. The title will be “branded” — forever reflecting the car’s declaration as a total loss. Some states have a hail-damage notation for titles. A vehicle with a branded title is difficult to insure for comprehensive and collision coverages because its value is difficult to determine.

Does gap insurance cover the loss in my car’s value?
No. Gap insurance will not cover the diminished resale value of your car. Gap insurance pays only in cases where a car is totaled, and it covers only the difference between what is owed on the vehicle and its pre-damage value, minus any deductible.

How long does it take?
On average, it takes Green Hail 1-7 days to complete a paintless dent repair. We provide a complimentary rental vehicle for the duration of your car’s repair process.

What is PDR or Paintless Dent Removal?
At Green Hail, our proprietary Paintless Dent Removal process utilizes highly skilled technicians and uniquely designed tools to gently massage and flex the metal back to its original shape, rather than covering it up with Bondo and paint. Each dent, no matter how small, must be worked on with one or more PDR tools. Fortunately, metal has a memory and will respond to gentle, even pressure, easing the metal back into its original shape. The paint expands and contracts along with the metal, preventing paint damage.

When can PDR be used?
The PDR process is often used to repair hail damage or other similar dents that occur when an outer panel strikes (or is struck by) an object that has not compromised the panel’s finish. Since the outer finish of the panel has not been disturbed, it eliminates steps in the refinishing process and may allow for more timely repairs.

The ability to repair vehicles using PDR requires that the technician be able to access the backside of a dent. Some repairers drill holes for access. Most do not recommend PDR if drilling is necessary.

Is there any size limit for dents that can be repaired?
Typically, Green Hail’s expert technicians can repair hail damage dents ranging from the size of a dime to that of a half dollar, and sometimes larger. However, the limiting factor is the relationship between the dent’s depth and diameter. A large, shallow dent is much more repairable than a small, extremely sharp dent. Each vehicle must be inspected by one of our certified damage appraisers to determine the repairability.

What factors determine the cost of a PDR job?
The number of dents on the vehicle.
The size of the dents on the vehicle.
The depth of the dents on the vehicle.
The type of metal.
The location of the dents on the vehicle.

Green Hail offers a FREE on-site estimation performed by one of our experienced sales technicians. You can set your appointment by calling us at 469-659-1444.

What should I expect from Paintless Dent Repair / Removal?
Green Hail promises 100% satisfaction with any Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) job they perform. Green Hail also backs up that promise with a written Lifetime Warranty, which is supported by a nationwide network of experienced technicians.

Do I need to worry about the dents ever returning?
No. Metal has a memory; once the molecular structure is realigned to its original form, it retains that state.

Will Paintless Dent Repair decrease the value of my vehicle?
No. The Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) process involves removing hail dents or other types of damage from a vehicle’s exterior surface panels without disturbing the finish. This also means that your car will require no painting. Our technicians don’t have to worry about matching any cover-up paint with your car’s original factory paint job

Will the Paintless Dent Repair process affect the Manufacturer’s Paint Warranty on my car?
No. One of the major advantages of the Paintless Dent Repair process is that it does not affect the warranty on the car’s paint or finish.

What vehicles are not good candidates for PDR?
Dents less than 1″ away from the edge of the hood, door, wheel well, trunk, and fender panel.
Dents that have damaged the finish of the car panels.
(For example, if the paint is chipped, scratched, or gouged.)
Dents that are not accessible from the backside of the vehicle.
Fuel doors.
Metal or chrome bumpers.