Southern California is not Hail Alley, but storms roll through, especially in the mountains, deserts, and during the occasional severe system, and when they do, they can leave a car covered in dozens of small dents. Hail and storm damage repair has its own best practices, and the good news is that most hail dents can be fixed without repainting. Here is what to know if your car gets caught in a storm.
What does hail damage do to a car?
Hail typically produces many small, round dents across horizontal surfaces, the hood, roof, and trunk, usually with the paint still intact. Wind-driven storms can also cause damage from debris. Because the paint is often unbroken, hail is a classic candidate for paintless dent repair (PDR), which keeps your factory finish.
How is hail damage repaired?
For intact-paint dents, PDR is the preferred method: a technician massages each dent out from behind the panel, restoring the original shape with no filler or paint. When paint is cracked, a panel is severely dented, or the damage is on an edge, conventional repair (and refinishing) is needed. Many hail cars are a mix, mostly PDR with a few panels needing paint.
| Damage | Repair method |
|---|---|
| Many small dents, paint intact | Paintless dent repair (PDR) |
| Cracked paint or deep dents | Conventional repair + refinish |
| Broken glass / trim from a storm | Glass/parts replacement |
Does insurance cover hail damage?
Hail and storm damage is typically covered under the comprehensive (not collision) portion of your auto policy, if you carry it. Comprehensive covers weather and other non-collision events, subject to your deductible. Because it is not an at-fault collision, a comprehensive claim generally does not work the same way as an accident claim, check your policy and deductible.
What to do after a storm
- Photograph the damage in good light as soon as it is safe.
- Check your comprehensive coverage and deductible before filing.
- Get a proper assessment, hail dents are easy to undercount at a glance.
- Ask whether PDR can handle most of it to preserve factory paint.
- Address any cracked paint promptly to prevent rust.
Why PDR is ideal for hail
Because hail usually leaves the paint intact, PDR fixes the dents while keeping your original finish, which is faster, often less costly, and better for resale value than repainting large panels. A shop experienced in hail repair can often restore a heavily dimpled hood or roof to like-new condition without a drop of paint.
Frequently asked questions
Is hail damage covered by insurance?
Usually under comprehensive coverage, if you carry it, subject to your deductible. It is treated as a weather event, not a collision.
Can hail dents be fixed without repainting?
Yes, when the paint is intact, paintless dent repair removes the dents and keeps your factory finish.
Will hail damage rust my car?
Only if the paint cracked and exposed bare metal; intact-paint dents do not rust, but cracked spots should be addressed.
The bottom line
Hail and storm damage in Southern California is usually repairable with paintless dent repair, preserving your factory paint, and typically covered by comprehensive insurance. Document the damage, check your coverage, and choose a Los Angeles shop experienced in PDR and hail repair to restore the car without unnecessary repainting.
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