Tag: hail dent removal

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is an innovative process used to repair minor dents and dings in vehicles. This process is becoming a more popular alternative to the traditional repairing technique because it is both faster and cheaper while also producing seamless results.

Dents can occur for several reasons, including hail damage, door dings, and miscellaneous accidents. They are not only unsightly, but they can also reduce the value of your vehicle in the long run.

For most people, the first instinct is to go through their insurance company which will typically result in a lower deductible, but you may end up paying more or at least losing your no-claim discount.

Why should I choose paintless dent repair over traditional body shop repairs?

If you have hail damage on your automobile and you’re looking to have it repaired through your insurance, they will absolutely pay to have a paintless dent repair company use paintless dent repair to bring your car back to its pre-storm condition. If you choose to go the traditional route and go through a body shop, you can expect your final bill to be significantly higher than if you decide to go with paintless dent repair.

Is there any reason to go with a body shop over paintless dent repair?

In some cases, yes. For example: if your car has had previous damage such as dents from accidents vandalism, or has had prior bondo work done, then it may not be possible to perform paintless dent repair on that vehicle. In those circumstances, we would recommend having the vehicle repaired through a traditional auto body shop.

What is the cost of Paintless Dent Repair?

That depends on several factors, including the size of the dent and the location of the dent. Our technicians will give you an accurate estimate after assessing your vehicle. You can also get a quote online by filling out our online form.

Let’s talk about how paintless dent repair can save you money in the long run.

Saving Money in the Long Run

1) No Painting Improves Resale Value

One of the main benefits of paintless dent repair is that no painting is required. In most cases, PDR technicians can completely remove the dent without disturbing the factory finish. This means that your vehicle retains its original value and resale price. It also means that you don’t have to pay for any paintwork or materials, which can add up quickly in a traditional body shop.

2) Less Expensive Than Traditional Repair

Since the technician doesn’t have to sand down and repaint the entire panel, the costs can be significantly lower. In fact, paintless dent repair can cost up to sixty-five percent less than other repair methods! If you choose to take your car to a traditional body shop, they will probably use fillers and/or spray paint to hide the dents and damage.  These methods may work in the short term, but they will affect the overall value of your car.  No one wants to buy a vehicle that has been repaired with auto body filler because they know that the dents will reappear at some point in the future.

3) Faster

Paintless dent repair is much faster than traditional body shop repair. The process can take as little as 15 minutes if the damage is minimal and the access is good. Compare that to traditional body shop repairs, which can take weeks, and you’ll see why many people are opting for paintless dent repair!

4) Car Value Retained

As we mentioned earlier, PDR will restore your car to its original factory condition without affecting the paintwork or the value of your vehicle. That means that you can sell your car at any time and still get a good price for it.

Insurance Companies Prefer PDR

It’s a fact that insurance companies prefer PDR. Insurance companies don’t like to pay. And when they do have to pay, they want to keep the cost down as low as possible.  So if your vehicle has hail damage and you make an insurance claim, the insurance company is likely to recommend PDR (paintless dent repair) first, before any other method.

We’re a team of certified technicians and car enthusiasts who have been in the business for decades. We spend years apprenticing and continue to hone our skills every day on the job. We’ve seen it all! Everything from minor dents, door dings, hail damage, grocery carts, bicycle falls over on car, etc. – and we’ve seen a lot of customers struggle to navigate the process of taking care of those repairs.

Get a free estimate or, if you’re ready, book an appointment with us today!

If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that accidents can and will happen. Whether it’s a fender bender, a grocery cart smashing into your car, or your car getting caught in an unavoidable hail storm, at some point, your car will be damaged. Maybe it will just be a little, or maybe it will be a lot. What’s important is for you to know what to do next. When it comes to repairing a dent, there are a couple of different options available to you. By far, the most affordable dent removal option is paintless dent repair or PDR, but not all cars or dents are good candidates for this type of repair. Here’s what you need to know about PDR and what types of damage can be repaired with paintless dent repair. 

First things first, talk with your insurance company. 

The first thing you need to do if your car has sustained damage and wants to get it repaired is to talk with your insurance company. They will send someone out to assess the damage and give you directions on the repairing your car needs. As long as your car qualifies for paintless dent repair, then PDR is most likely going to be the kind of dent repair Dallas insurance companies will prefer because it’s significantly cheaper than traditional dent repair.  

What is paintless dent repair? 

You’ve heard us mention paintless dent repair a couple of times, but maybe you’re wondering just exactly what PDR is and why it’s better and cheaper than traditional dent repair. Let us break down the difference between the two really quick:  

  • Traditional dent repair is a lengthy and involved process that requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, a second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint. All those materials cost money, and because it’s a longer process, the cost of labor is higher as well. You also have to figure out how to handle having a car out of commission for days or sometimes weeks, which could cost extra money.  
  • Paintless dent repair is a much simpler, faster, and therefore less expensive process. With paintless dent repair, a technician examines the damage, determines the best way to access it and the right tool for the job. Then the technician starts at the outside edge of the damaged area and carefully massages the material back into the correct position. As the technician works, the damaged area will get smaller and smaller and then eventually disappear altogether. 

Types of damage to cars: 

Once you understand the difference, it’s easy to see why PDR is the superior choice for everything from repairing door dings to fixing hail damage and all other small or large dent removal types. But not every car and not all damage is eligible for this type of repair. First, let’s look at the categories of damage, which are broken down into four parts: 

  • Cosmetic damage with intact paint – this means there are small dents in the exterior material of your vehicle. The paint hasn’t been scratched, so the focus during the repair process will be solely on restoring the metal to its original shape and condition. 
  • Cosmetic damage with scratched paint – this means there are small dents to the exterior of the vehicle and the paint has been damaged, so the vehicle will need to be repainted during the repair process. 
  • Severe damage with intact paint – this means the vehicle’s mechanical system was damaged by the hail. However, the good news is the paint wasn’t scratched, so repainting won’t be necessary.   
  • Severe damage and scratched paint – the vehicle’s mechanical system was damaged and the factory paint was damaged, so your vehicle will need the full workup. Mechanical repairs are needed, and chances are exterior panels will need to be replaced on your vehicle. 

What type of car damage can be repaired by PDR? 

You’ll notice in the above breakdown that there’s a lot of focus on the condition of the factory paint. That’s because the paint condition plays a big part in determining what type of repair is needed to return your car to its original condition. If the factory paint on a vehicle has been damaged, especially if the damage includes cracks or gashes, the technician will need to use putty, hammering, and paint to repair it. In that case, your car will require traditional dent repair. However, if a vehicle is dinged and dented, even if the damage is extensive, if the factory paint isn’t scratched or cracked, then your car is eligible for paintless dent repair. PDR is the best option for returning the dented material to its original shape while still maintaining the condition of the factory paint. It’s also impossible to use PDR for dents near the edge of a panel or on material that has had previous work done. 

BodyGuard is the best choice in DFW for paintless dent repair. 

Repairing a dent on a car without further damaging the material is a task that requires professional training, expert skill, and exacting precision. Not everybody shop is equipped to handle the job efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair, and our certified technicians spend years apprenticing and honing their skills. So if you’ve been Googling “PDR expert DFW” or “expert PDR,” trying to find the best dent repair specialists in Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ve landed in the right place! Bodyguard has been serving Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 18 years, and our team has more than 125 years of combined experience. In that time, we’ve repaired more than 20,000 vehicles. Look no further for the shop that offers paintless dent removal Dallas motorists trust. Reach out to our team of professionals at Bodyguard today. We handle everything from minor door dings to extensive hail damage on cars, and on top of that, our team of experts will give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We’re proud of our work and appreciate our long-term customers who return to us again and again. If your car sustained auto hail damage this spring and you’ve been putting off getting it repaired, Bodyguard is a hail damage repair company with extremely knowledgeable and skilled technicians who can help. Call us today to let a seasoned auto hail specialist handle your vehicle’s hail dent repair carefully and efficiently. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment. 

Hail damage on cars can be expensive to fix. Sometimes people are caught off guard by just how expensive it is. Below are some pointers to help you understand what the expenses will be, how you can reduce some of the costs, and how you can keep from accruing new, unexpected costs.

Call your insurance company ASAP.

Maybe this seems obvious, but people often don’t realize how important it is to work with their insurance company to get car hail damage repair work done as quickly as possible. Sometimes people think they don’t need to work with their insurance company at all. If your car has sustained hail damage, you might look at it and think it’s no big deal – just some light cosmetic damage. But even cosmetic damage can cost thousands of dollars to fix, and it can decrease the value of your car by that much as well. You don’t want to pay that out-of-pocket, so work with your insurance company to get it fixed. If you’re worried that working with your insurance company will raise your premium, don’t be. Hail damage is considered a “no-fault” claim so that they won’t raise your premiums for storm damage. In Dallas-Fort Worth, where hail storms are common, we already pay a higher premium for hail coverage, so you might as well take advantage of it. And finally, there’s one more reason why time is of the essence when it comes to contacting your insurance company after a hail storm. During hail season in North Texas, insurance companies are often inundated with hail damage claims, so you want to get your name on the list ASAP because the process can take a while. If your car is damaged a second time before it’s fixed, the damage from the first event will be considered “pre-existing damage” and therefore is uninsurable. That means you might have to pay to fix the damage from the first event out-of-pocket.

Save time and money with paintless dent repair.

If you have to pay out-of-pocket for the hail dent repair, you’ll save a significant amount of money by getting paintless dent repair instead of traditional dent repair. If you’re unclear about the difference between the two, let us break it down for you. Traditional dent repair is a lengthy and involved process that requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, the second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint. All those materials cost money, and because it’s a longer process, the cost of labor is higher. You also have to figure out how to handle having a car out of commission for days or sometimes weeks, which could cost extra money. Paintless dent repair is a much simpler, faster, and therefore less expensive process. With paintless dent repair, a technician examines the damage, determines the best way to access it and the right tool for the job. Then the technician starts at the outside edge of the damaged area and carefully massages the material back into the correct position. As the technician works, the damaged area will get smaller and smaller and then eventually disappear altogether.

Don’t try this at home, kids.

You might think paintless dent repair sounds easy, and consider buying a DIY dent removal kit so you can try your hand at hail dent removal. We strongly suggest you don’t, as it could end up being a very costly mistake. Most DIY kits come with one or maybe two tools, but paintless dent repair isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice. Remember those technicians we told you about? Skilled technicians, like those at Bodyguard, have various tools at their disposal and the training and experience to know which are the best tools to use, depending on the damage. Bodyguard technicians have spent years apprenticing and training to get to that point. We treat each dent as unique. The size, shape, and location of the dent on the vehicle are all factors that a skilled technician must consider when determining which dent removal method to use. Fixing hail damage without further damaging the material takes exacting precision and years of practice. With that in mind, there are two reasons why trying DIY dent repair could end up costing you a lot of money. First, your car is only eligible for paintless dent repair if there are no scratches, cracks, or gashes involved. If the factory paint is damaged – either during the original event or in the attempt to fix it – your car cannot be fixed with paintless dent removal. Second, if you further damage your vehicle, you could ruin your insurance claim. Your insurance company will send out an appraiser to assess your vehicle’s hail damage, and they will most likely notice if you’ve attempted DIY hail dent repair. If you create new scratches, gashes, or cracks in your vehicle in your attempt to fix the damage, there’s a good chance your insurance company will refuse to pay to have it fixed because the repairs will be more expensive than they would have been if you hadn’t tampered with the dents.

Work with a reputable company that offers a warranty.

You might have seen some ads from paintless dent repair companies offering unbelievable deals or offering to cover the cost of your deductible. As a general rule, if it seems too good to be true, that’s because it probably is. Autobody work is an art, and like all good art, you get what you pay for. Bodyguard has been serving Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 18 years. We have more than 125 years of combined experience, and we’ve repaired more than 20,000 vehicles. Being a stable, long-lasting company is extremely important in the paintless dent repair industry. During hail season in Dallas-Fort Worth, the market is flooded with temporary hail repair shops that promise great deals but close up as soon as the season ends. That means they’re not held accountable in the long-term to their customers. At Bodyguard, we’re so confident in our work that we stand behind it with a lifetime warranty. Do you think a pop-up shop is going to do that? Not a chance. If you’re not 100 percent satisfied with your auto hail repair, bring it back, and we’ll make it right. We like to remind our customers that Bodyguard was here long before hail season started, and we’ll be here long after it ends. We’re proud of our work and our repeat customers.

Bodyguard’s auto hail specialists can help. Call today to schedule an appointment!

Bodyguard is a paintless dent repair company, so fixing cars with hail damage quickly, efficiently and with expert skill is what we do best. If you want to work with a long-standing, reputable hail damage repair company that is willing to guarantee your satisfaction with a lifetime warranty, call Bodyguard. Let our highly trained technicians handle your car hail damage and restore your vehicle to its original condition. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an automotive hail damage repair appointment.

If your vehicle was caught in a hail storm this spring, you might be surprised at the cost of repairs. Sometimes what looks like a few hundred dollars worth of cosmetic damage can actually be thousands of dollars worth of damage. We want to do our best to keep you from being caught off guard when you’re negotiating with your insurance company about hail damage repairs. Each case is unique, so we can’t give you exact numbers for how much your car hail damage repair will cost, but we can give you an idea of what to expect. Here’s our guide to understanding hail damage repair costs: 

What to expect after a hail storm:

The first thing you should do if your vehicle needs hail dent repair is to call your insurance company. They will send out an appraiser to assess the damage to your vehicle. They’ll most likely offer you an initial estimate but beware that this estimate is typically below the actual value of the damage. They want you to take the money and put it towards what you owe on the car without getting the repairs done. It’d be much better for you to get the repairs done now, however, because dents significantly decrease the value of your car, which you will find out later when you go to trade it in or sell it. So work with your insurance company on getting your car repaired. Also, note that you are allowed to use the auto repair company you want. You don’t have to go with the “preferred vendor” list that your insurance company offers you, so choose a hail damage repair company you trust. With that said, let’s get into the nuts and bolts of it!  

The method: traditional dent repair vs. paintless dent repair

One of the first major decisions you’ll have to make when choosing a repair shop is deciding between a traditional autobody shop and a paintless dent repair shop. Paintless dent repair is the cheaper option, but unfortunately, not all dents or hail damage on cars can be repaired with paintless dent repair. Why? It might help if we break down what each term means. Traditional dent repair is a lengthy process that requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, the second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint.

On the other hand, paintless dent repair, or PDR, is exactly what it sounds like: returning dented material to its original shape while maintaining the condition of the factory paint. There is no sanding and painting involved in this process. The time and materials required to perform traditional dent repair add up quickly, which is why it’s more expensive. However, if the paint is scratched or there are gashes on the vehicle, then paintless dent repair isn’t an option for your car since it will have to be painted to restore its original condition. Paintless dent repair also isn’t possible if the damaged area was previously repaired with traditional dent repair. 

Things that might drive up the cost:

Once you’ve determined the method of repair that’s appropriate for your vehicle, there are a couple other things to keep in mind that will affect the cost of the repairs:  

  • Panel replacement: Sometimes, the damage on a particular panel can be so extensive that the entire board will need to be replaced. That’s going to cost more because you’ll have to pay for both the panel itself and also for the labor to have the board fit into place. The cost will depend on which panel needs to be replaced and how much work is involved in replacing it. Some panels need to be welded on and can be pretty tricky to replace. If multiple panels need to be replaced, your vehicle might be written off as totaled by your insurance company. 
  • Access to dents: Another thing that can affect the cost of repairs is access to the dents. If a panel needs to be removed to complete the repair, that will require extra labor and drive up the costs. 

Breaking down the average cost: Mistake: Not filing a claim with your insurance company

Why is this a mistake? You might think that filing a claim with your insurance company will raise your premium; however, that is not the case. Hail damage is considered a “no-fault” claim and is covered by your comprehensive coverage, so filing a claim with your insurance provider for hail damage won’t raise your premium — at least, not in the way you might think. In Dallas-Fort Worth where hail storms are common, we already pay higher premiums.

What to do instead: Yep, you already know what to do! Since you’re already paying for insurance coverage for hail damage repair, you might as well file that claim and get your car fixed asap.

Breaking down the average cost:

The best thing you can do to get a more accurate cost of dent repair is to take pictures of the damage and send them to local autobody shops. They’ll be able to give you quotes for the type of repair and labor they expect to be involved in restoring your vehicle. The average cost for traditional dent repair is $125-$325 per dent, and the average cost for paintless dent repair is $50-$150 per dent. But of course, as previously mentioned, that depends on the extent of the damage, the location of the damage, and the type of car.

What does a dent repair specialist do? 

At this point, you might be considering trying your hand at DIY dent repair to save yourself some money. Although we can’t stop you from trying, we don’t suggest it. Most DIY dent repair kits come with one or maybe two tools, and fixing hail damage is not a one-size-fits-all kind of task. Paintless dent repair technicians, like the ones we employ at Bodyguard, have a variety of tools at their disposal and the knowledge and experience to know which one is right for each dent. Our technicians have spent years apprenticing and training to get to that point. We treat each dent as unique. The size, shape, and location of the dent on the vehicle are all factors that a skilled technician must take into account when determining which dent removal method to use. You don’t want to risk scratching or cracking the paint, and repairing a dent on a car without further damaging the material takes exacting precision and years of practice. In our opinion, it’s well worth it to work with a skilled auto hail specialist for hail dent removal.

Bodyguard’s PDR technicians have years of training and experience

Bodyguard has been serving Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 18 years. We have more than 125 years of combined experience, and we’ve repaired more than 20,000 vehicles. We specialize in paintless dent repair, and we offer a lifetime warranty and a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. When it comes to auto hail repair or any dent repair in Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ll be pressed to find paintless dent repair technicians more skilled and experienced than those at Bodyguard PDR. We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built in Dallas-Fort Worth as a reliable and trustworthy automotive dent repair company. Our customer service is second to none beyond just fixing cars with hail damage or other types of dents. We’ll give you and your vehicle the all-around care and attention you deserve. So if your vehicle has sustained car hail damage and you need paintless dent repair, call us today to let a true dent repair specialist handle your vehicle’s dents and dings. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an automotive hail damage repair appointment.

If you clicked on this blog, we guess that you’ve probably seen the ads for dent removal tools or kits. You know, we supposedly don’t want you to know about the ones because they’ll put us out of business. Although we can’t stop you from trying out one of these kits on your own car — it is your vehicle, after all — we strongly recommend you forgo the experience. It could end up costing you a lot of time, money, and frustration in the long run. We want the best for you and your vehicle, so before you try your hand at DIY dent removal, take a few minutes to read the reasons why we think you should leave these types of repairs to the professionals. 

What is paintless dent repair?

First things first, you should know what we’re talking about when we say paintless dent repair, which is what we specialize in at Bodyguard. Let’s start by taking a look at the lengthy process of traditional dent repair. Traditional dent repair requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, the second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint. Paintless dent repair, or PDR, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like: returning dented material back to its original shape while maintaining the condition of the factory paint. There is no sanding and painting involved in this process. Instead, it looks more like this:  

  • A technician examines the damage and determines the best way to access it. That might be through a window, through removing an inner panel, or a similar tactic.  
  • Then the technician determines the right tool for the job. Our technicians have various tools at their disposal and the training and experience to know which are the best tools to use depending on the type of damage.  
  • Finally, the technician starts at the outside edge of the damaged area and carefully massages the material back into the correct position. As the technician works, the damaged area will get smaller and smaller and then eventually disappear altogether.  

It’s just cosmetic damage. How hard could it be?

Let’s say, for example, that your car was caught in a hail storm this spring. You might look at the resulting car hail damage and think it’s just cosmetic and isn’t worth the hassle of dealing with your insurance company to get professional repairs done. Especially when you can buy one of those cheap dent repair kits and do it yourself, right? While we understand the desire to bypass the hassle, your car’s value is not something you want to play around. People are often shocked by how much “a little cosmetic damage” actually translates to when you go to sell or trade in your car. What might look like a few hundred dollars worth of repairs to you could actually be thousands of dollars worth of repairs and can decrease the value of your car by that much as well. All damage, even if it’s just cosmetic, is worth the hassle of being professionally repaired. 

What does it really mean to be a PDR professional?

As easy as the commercials make DIY paintless dent repair seem, you have to keep in mind that it’s their job to make it look that way. The problem is that they probably want to sell you one or maybe two tools, and paintless dent repair isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice. Remember those technicians we told you about who have various tools at their disposal and the knowledge and experience to know which one is right for each dent? Our technicians have spent years apprenticing and training to get to that point. We treat each dent as unique. The size, shape, and location of the dent on the vehicle are all factors that a skilled technician must consider when determining which dent removal method to use. Repairing a dent on a car without further damaging the material takes exacting precision and years of practice. 

If DIY can save me money, isn’t it worth a try?

Unfortunately, DIY dent repair isn’t like cutting your own hair before inevitably ending up at the hairdresser to fix your mistake. There’s no room for trial and error here. Why? Because insurance is involved. When your vehicle is damaged, that’s an event, and you file an insurance claim for that event. If your car sustains more damage, then the insurance company considers the original damage “pre-existing damage” and won’t cover it. So if you further damage your vehicle in the process of trying to fix it, you just made all the original damage uninsurable. Yikes. That’s an expensive mistake and, in our opinion, not worth the risk. If you think you can get away with it, keep in mind that your insurance company will send out an appraiser to assess the damage on your vehicle before they give you a quote. That’s exactly the kind of thing an appraiser is going to look for, and most of them have been around the block a few times. 

There’s also a second reason why experimenting with DIY dent repair before handing it over to professionals could be a costly mistake. A vehicle is only eligible for paintless dent repair if there are no scratches involved. If the factory paint is damaged — either during the original event or in the attempt to fix it — your car cannot be fixed with paintless dent removal.  

Why is paintless dent repair the best option?

Maybe you’re thinking, “Why do I care if my car is no longer a candidate for paintless dent repair? Traditional dent repair seems just fine to me.” Here are a few reasons that might change your mind:  

  • Paintless dent repair is hands-down the most affordable dent removal option available. It cuts out the use of materials like body filler and the time-consuming techniques of sanding and repainting. Eliminating these unnecessary materials and steps reduces the body shop’s repair costs significantly, and, at Bodyguard, we pass those savings along to you. If you’ve caused further damage to your vehicle by trying to fix it yourself and are then having to pay out-of-pocket for repairs, it’s going to be significantly cheaper to get paintless dent repair than traditional dent repair. 
  • Paintless dent repair is also significantly faster for all the same reasons mentioned above. Sanding, filling, painting, repainting. All those things take a lot of time, which means you’re going to be without a vehicle for days or even weeks. PDR eliminates all those steps, cutting down the repair time way down.  
  • PDR retains the value of your vehicle. When it comes time to sell or trade in your car, having the original factory paint intact will translate to higher value for your car and more money for you. 
  • And finally, PDR eliminates color-matching concerns. There’s no need to stress color-matching when there’s no need to sand down the original paint and repaint the damaged area.  

BodyGuard is the best choice in DFW for paintless dent repair

Not everybody shop is equipped to handle paintless dent removal efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair, so if you’re looking for the best shop to handle paintless dent removal in Dallas or any dent repairs in Dallas, reach out to our team of professionals at BodyGuard. Beyond simply repairing a dent, our expert team will give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We’re known and trusted in DFW for our top-quality care. Call us today to let a true dent repair specialist handle your vehicle’s dent removing needs. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment.

There’s a reason people get nervous about hail storms when they roll through Dallas-Fort Worth. They can cause serious damage to our vehicles, and cars with hail damage can be a hassle to fix. If your vehicle has sustained hail damage this spring, there are several things you need to do to get it back to its original condition, starting with a call to your insurance company. To help you navigate the process, here is a list of common mistakes many motorists make when filing a hail damage claim and how you can avoid these pitfalls.

Mistake #1: Waiting to contact the insurance company

After realizing your car has sustained hail damage and needs hail dent repair, the first call, you make after realizing your vehicle has sustained hail damage should be your insurance company. You’ll want to do this as quickly as possible. Why? Because whenever a hail storm passes through North Texas, insurance companies are typically flooded with hail damage claims. That obviously slows down the process, and sometimes it can take weeks or even months for the insurance company to send out an appraiser. If your car is damaged again — either from a second hail storm or in an accident — before the first claim is handled, the damage from the first event is considered “pre-existing” damage and isn’t covered by insurance. So if you intend to get car hail damage repair work done on your vehicle, do it as quickly as possible. Every day of waiting for repairs is a day that you’re driving a car with pre-existing damage and vulnerable to potential monetary loss.

Mistake #2: Not making time to meet the insurance appraiser

After you file a claim, your insurance company will send out an appraiser to assess the damage to your vehicle. You or your spouse should be present to meet with the insurance adjuster because it will give you a chance to ask any questions you have and to point out the damage, and advocate for the repairs you want. Take notes about what the appraiser says, and be sure to ask about the deductible, which you will be responsible for paying. Your conversation with the appraiser should help you determine what repair work needs to be done and what kind of repair shop you need to choose. You should also take clear photos of the damage for your records.

Mistake #3: Being blindsided by the deductible

Speaking of the deductible, one common mistake motorists make when filing an insurance claim for hail damage is not realizing that there is a deductible they will be responsible for paying out-of-pocket. This is not an annual deductible like with health insurance, but rather a deductible you have to pay every time you file a claim as determined by your policy. If you pay the deductible, your insurance company will pay the remaining cost to repair your vehicle. You should ask your insurance company about the amount and plan for the payment so that you won’t be forced to leave the hail damage unrepaired.

Mistake #4: Accepting a settlement check and not fixing the damage

Your insurance company will most likely offer you an initial settlement check, and it can be tempting to take it to get the whole ordeal over with. Many motorists do and then put it towards what they owe on the car instead of getting the repairs done. But keep in mind that the initial estimate is typically well below the actual damages — sometimes by as much as half. So you should never accept a settlement check until you know the full extent of the damages and losses. Even if it doesn’t look like a lot of damage, car hail damage is often much more expensive to fix than most car owners realize. What might look like a few hundred dollars worth of damage to you could be several thousand dollars worth of damage. Yes, even when the damage is only cosmetic. That’s why it’s essential to hold out for full repair coverage and get your car repaired. Leaving the hail damage is one of the biggest mistakes motorists make because hail damage significantly decreases the value of your vehicle, as you will find out later when you go to trade it in. That’s when many motorists realize that what they thought was merely light cosmetic damage has cost them thousands of dollars in losses.

Mistake #5: Not talking with several body shops before making a choice

First, you should be wary of the “preferred vendor” list from your insurance company. By law, you can choose any shop you want to handle your repairs, so do your homework and choose an auto repair shop that will work hard for you. Second, by “do your homework,” we mean: never settle for the first repair shop you find without talking to several other shops. As long as there are no scratches or gashes, your vehicle is most likely a good candidate for paintless dent repair (PDR). PDR is cheaper, faster, and retains the car’s value better than traditional dent repair. However, not all PDR companies are the same, so you should schedule several estimates from local body shops and make sure you’re looking at how each business handles auto hail repair. Look out for pop-up shops that promise great deals but then close up as soon as hail season ends. Instead, choose a reputable dent repair company like Bodyguard that offers a lifetime warranty and will be here long after hail season ends. You can do that by asking good questions. By the time you have to make a decision, you should have a solid understanding of what your out-of-pocket expenses will be, how long the expected repair will take, how each business operates, and what guarantees they offer.

Why choose BodyGuard for your paintless dent repair?

Fixing hail damage without further damaging the material is a task that requires professional training, expert skill, and exacting precision. Not every body shop is equipped to handle the job efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair, so if you’re looking for the best hail damage repair company to take your automotive hail damage, reach out to our team of professionals at Bodyguard. Beyond hail dent removal and fixing hail damage on cars, our auto hail specialists will give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We also offer a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and a lifetime warranty on our service. We’re known and trusted in DFW for our top-quality care. For more information about our fast and straightforward vehicle hail damage repair process, go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more details, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment.

A lot of storms have been looming over Dallas-Fort Worth recently, and some of them have brought hail. Although hail season is wrapping up in the next couple of weeks, it’s not uncommon to see hail in June and July in our area. If you haven’t been able to avoid hail damage this spring or if your vehicle receives some in the next couple of months, here are a few things you should know about types of hail damage on cars. Hopefully, this will help to make navigating the hail dent repair process a little easier.

Hail damage and insurance

Hail damage is considered a “no-fault” claim and is covered by your comprehensive coverage, so filing a claim with your insurance provider for hail damage won’t raise your premium. However, in Dallas-Fort Worth, where hail storms are common, we generally pay higher premiums. Cars with hail damage are at risk of being given the “total loss” designation, which means that the estimated cost of repairs outweighs the car’s value. If that happens, getting a good insurance payout is going to require some effort on your part. You can dispute the “total loss” designation with your insurance company if you think it’s unfair. In Texas, the “total loss threshold” is 100 percent, which means that the cost for repairs must be equal to or higher than the actual cash value (ACV) of the car for it to be considered a “total loss.” If you agree that the vehicle is totaled, your insurance company will pay you what they estimate the car is worth — with some effort, you can negotiate this amount — and then repossess the vehicle. If you want to keep a car that has been deemed totaled, the insurance company will subtract the car’s salvage value from the payout. In some states, vehicles that are considered a total loss can be given a salvage title. After some auto hail repair, the car can be redesignated as “rebuilt.” However, since 2017, Texas law no longer allows insurance companies or car owners to apply for a salvage title for vehicles damaged exclusively by hail, according to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Categories for hail damage

Most hail-damaged vehicles are still drivable. If your car is deemed repairable by your insurance company, here are the main categories that the damage will be divided into:

  • Cosmetic damage with intact paint — this means there are minor dents in the exterior material of your vehicle. The paint hasn’t been scratched, so the focus during the repair process will be solely on restoring the metal to its original shape and condition.
  • Cosmetic damage with scratched paint — this means there are minor dents to the vehicle’s exterior, and the paint has been damaged, so the car will need to be repainted by the automotive technicians who repair it. 
  • Severe damage with intact paint — this means the hail damaged the vehicle’s mechanical system. However, the good news is the paint wasn’t scratched, so that repainting won’t be necessary.  

Severe damage and scratched paint — the vehicle’s mechanical system was damaged, and the factory paint was damaged, so your vehicle will need the full workup. Mechanical repairs are required, and chances are exterior panels will need to be replaced on your car.

Why do scratches matter?

Scratches matter because the paint condition determines what kind of car hail damage repair is needed to return your car to its original condition. If the factory paint on a vehicle has been damaged, especially if the damage is severe or includes gashes, it will most likely need traditional dent repair. This is a lengthy and involved process that requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, the second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint.

If a vehicle is dinged and dented by hail but doesn’t have scratches, then paintless dent repair (PDR) is the best option for returning the dented material to its original shape while still maintaining the condition factory paint. Paintless dent repair is what Bodyguard specializes in, and with PDR, there is no sanding and painting involved. Instead, a technician examines the damage and determines the best way to access it. That might be through a window, through removing an inner panel, or a similar tactic. Then the technician determines the right tool for the job. Bodyguard technicians have various tools at their disposal and the training and experience to know which are the best tools to use depending on the type of damage involved. Finally, the technician starts at the outside edge of the damaged area and carefully massages the material back into the correct position. As the technician works, the damaged area will get smaller and smaller and then eventually disappear altogether. 

Other damage that does qualify for paintless dent repair

As we’ve mentioned, not every car is eligible for paintless dent repairs, such as if the car has scratches or gashes. In that case, the material will have to be mended and repainted. It’s also impossible to use PDR for dents near the edge of a panel or on material that’s had previous work done.

BodyGuard is the best choice in DFW for paintless dent repair

Fixing hail damage without further damaging the material is a task that requires professional training, expert skill, and exacting precision. Not everybody shop is equipped to handle this job efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair, so if you’re looking for the best hail damage repair company in DFW to handle your vehicle hail damage, reach out to our team of professionals at Bodyguard. Beyond hail dent removal and fixing car hail damage, our auto hail specialists will give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We’re known and trusted in DFW for our top-quality care. Call us today to let a true automotive hail damage specialist handle your vehicle’s auto hail damage repair needs. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment.

In Dallas-Fort Worth, we love our cars. So when it comes time to get work done, we want the best quality, the best care, and the best customer service at the best value. At Bodyguard PDR, we believe you should have all that and more, and we’re proud to be the paintless dent repair body shop that can deliver. We know you have a lot of options, so why should you choose Bodyguard? We’re glad you asked! Here’s why we consider ourselves the best choice for fixing your vehicle’s dents and dings with paintless dent repair.

Who we are

Repairing dents on cars without further damaging the material is a task that requires professional training, expert skill, and exacting precision. Not every bodyshop is equipped to handle the job efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair (PDR) and we spend years apprenticing and honing our skills. Our certified technicians handle everything from extensive hail damage to door dings, so if you’re looking for the best shop to handle PDR Dallas, reach out to our team of professionals. We specialize in car hail damage repair, so rest assured that your hail-damaged vehicle is in good hands. But even beyond repairing your vehicle’s dents and fixing hail damage, our team will also give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We’re known and trusted in DFW for our top-quality care. 

Years of establishment and why it matters

Bodyguard has been serving Dallas-Fort Worth for more than 18 years. We have more than 125 years of combined experience, and we’ve repaired more than 20,000 vehicles. You might not realize it, but being a stable, long-lasting company is important in the paintless dent repair industry. Not sure what we mean? Let us explain. During hail season in Dallas-Fort Worth, people flood the market with temporary hail repair shops that promise great deals but close up as soon as the season ends. That means they’re not held accountable in the long term to their customers. You must choose a reputable dent repair company by asking good questions when sussing out the best repair shop. We like to remind our customers that Bodyguard was here long before hail season started, and we’ll be here long after it ends. We’re proud of our work and our repeat customers. Isn’t that the kind of company you want to do business with? We like to think so.

We offer a lifetime warranty

We’re so confident in our work that we stand behind it with a lifetime warranty. Do you think a pop-up shop is going to do that? Not a chance. If you’re not 100 percent satisfied with your Bodyguard hail damage repair, bring it back, and we’ll make it right. 

What is paintless dent repair?

You’ve seen a lot about paintless dent repair, and you might be asking yourself what exactly PDR is. Is it really that much different than traditional dent repair? Traditional dent repair is a lengthy and involved process that requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, the second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint. On the other hand, paintless dent repair is exactly what it sounds like: returning dented material to its original shape while maintaining the condition of the factory paint. There is no sanding and painting involved in this process. Instead, a technician examines the damage and determines the best way to access it. That might be through a window, through removing an inner panel, or a similar tactic. Then the technician determines the right tool for the job. Our technicians have various tools at their disposal and the training and experience to know which are the best tools to use depending on the type of damage involved. Finally, the technician starts at the outside edge of the damaged area and carefully massages the material back into the correct position. As the technician works, the damaged area will get smaller and smaller and then eventually disappear altogether. 

Why is PDR the better choice?

Not every car is eligible for paintless dent repair. If the car has scratches or gashes, then the material will have to be mended and repainted. It’s also impossible to use PDR for dents near the edge of a panel or on material that’s had previous work done. However, when it is possible, it’s hands-down the best choice. It will save you money by cutting out the use of materials like body filler and paint. It’s also the fastest option available. Without the need to sand down the material, hammer it out, and repaint it with multiple coats, there’s no need to plan for your car to be in the shop for weeks on end. And finally, it retains your car’s value. When it comes time to sell your car, having the original factory paint intact will translate to higher value for your car and more money for you; plus, you don’t have to worry that a shop won’t handle color-matching correctly because there’s no painting involved. That’s a huge relief to us and should be to you too!

Vehicle hail damage? Call Bodyguard today to schedule an appointment

If your vehicle has sustained auto hail damage and you need car hail damage repair, call us today to let a true dent repair specialist handle your vehicle’s dings and hail dent removal. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment for automotive hail damage repair. 

Hail season is here in Dallas-Fort Worth. In the best-case scenario, your vehicle won’t sustain any hail damage over the next couple of months, but if it does it’s always good to know what the next steps are. Unfortunately in Texas where hail storms are common occurrences during the spring and early summer, people are often losing money in the process of dealing with car hail damage repair. Below are some costly mistakes people make when dealing with auto hail damage and tips for how you can be smart and avoid them.

Mistake: Letting the insurance company drive your decision making.

Why is this a mistake? The first call you make after your car receives hail damage is to your insurance company. That part is not a mistake; it’s just part of the process. The mistake is in letting your insurance company call all the shots. Even if you like your insurance provider and have been working with your agent for years, it’s still good to remember that they’re not always going to have your best interest in mind. After a big hail storm, most insurance companies are going to be flooded with claims. They have to send out an appraiser, but sometimes that can take weeks or even months. Once the appraiser does arrive, you’ll likely be given an initial estimate that’s below the actual damages, sometimes by as much as half. A lot of people will accept a settlement check and, instead of getting the repairs done on their vehicle, will put that money towards what they owe on the car. That’s what the insurance company is hoping you’ll do. 

What to do instead: Know your options. Hail damage significantly decreases the value of your car, as you will find out later when you go to trade it in. It’s much better to work with your insurance company to get your car fixed than to leave the damage. Also, be wary of the “preferred vendor” list from your insurance company. By law, you can choose any shop you want to handle your repairs, so do your homework and choose an auto repair shop that will work hard for you.

Mistake: Thinking it’s not enough damage to fix

Why is this a mistake? After a hail storm, you might look at the damage on your vehicle and decide it doesn’t look very serious and doesn’t warrant the hassle of making a claim and getting it fixed. However, what might look like a few hundred dollars worth of damage to you could actually be several thousand dollars worth of damage. When you go to trade your car in, you’ll find out that what you thought was merely light cosmetic damage has significantly decreased the value of your car. 

What to do instead: Cars with hail damage — yes, even the kind you can barely see — have decreased value by as much as $5,000-$8,000. So go through the hassle to get it fixed because it’s worth it. You will have to pay a deductible to get your car repaired, but ignoring the damage now could cost you big in the long run.

Mistake: Waiting too long to fix car hail damage

Why is this a mistake? Let’s say your car received hail damage at the beginning of hail season, so you think maybe you’ll wait until hail season is over before you get it fixed. That makes sense, right? It does, but unfortunately that logical solution could easily turn into a costly mistake. First, it’s important to note that filing a single claim for damage sustained in two different events is technically insurance fraud. But beyond that, a second hail storm is more likely to total your car. There’s only so much damage a car can take before it’s considered “unrepairable.” If your car is deemed totalled, you will most likely lose money. Also, heaven forbid you get in an accident during the wait. At that point the hail damage will be considered pre-existing damage and won’t be covered. Yikes!

What to do instead: If you intend to get car hail damage repair work done on your vehicle, do it as quickly as possible. Every day of waiting for repairs is a day that you’re driving a car with pre-existing damage and vulnerable to potential monetary loss. 

Mistake: Not filing a claim with your insurance company

Why is this a mistake? You might think that filing a claim with your insurance company will raise your premium; however, that is not the case. Hail damage is considered a “no fault” claim and is covered by your comprehensive coverage, so filing a claim with your insurance provider for hail damage won’t raise your premium — at least, not in the way you might think. In Dallas-Fort Worth where hail storms are common, we already pay higher premiums.

What to do instead: Yep, you already know what to do! Since you’re already paying for insurance coverage for hail damage repair, you might as well file that claim and get your car fixed asap.

Mistake: Not doing your homework when choosing a repair shop

Why is this a mistake? When it’s possible to get paintless dent repair (PDR) instead of traditional dent repair, that’s going to be the best option for you. PDR is much cheaper, much faster, and it retains the value of the car much better than traditional dent repair. However, not all PDR companies are the same. 

What to do instead: You should schedule several estimates from local body shops and make sure you’re looking at how the business handles auto hail repair. Be very wary of pop-up shops. During hail season in Dallas-Fort Worth, people flood the market with temporary hail repair shops that promise great deals but then close up as soon as the season ends. That means they’re not held accountable in the long-term to their customers. Choose a reputable dent repair company like Bodyguard that is going to be here long after hail season ends. Make sure you’re asking good questions when sussing out the best repair shop. By the time you have to make a decision, you should have a solid understanding of what your out-of-pocket expenses will be, how long the expected repair will take, how each business operates, and what guarantees they offer.

BodyGuard is the best choice in DFW for paintless dent repair

Fixing hail damage without further damaging the material is a task that requires professional training, expert skill, and exacting precision. Not every bodyshop is equipped to handle the job efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair, so if you’re looking for the best hail damage repair company to handle your automotive hail damage, reach out to our team of professionals at Bodyguard. Beyond simply hail dent removal and fixing hail damage on cars, our auto hail specialists will give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We’re known and trusted in DFW for our top-quality care. Call us today to let a true automotive hail damage specialist handle your vehicle’s hail dent repair needs. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment.

Of course, we’d prefer that you avoid hail damage altogether. Getting your car repaired after a storm isn’t usually a lot of fun. It can be a hassle to get everything squared away with your insurance company and then have your car out of commission while being repaired. So when you receive alerts or hear of an upcoming storm, the best option is to move your vehicle into a garage or under a carport if you can. However, if that’s not an option and your car does sustain hail damage, here is a checklist for where to start and what to do next to get your car hail damage repair taken care of quickly and efficiently. 

Step 1: Contact your insurance company

The first call you need to make when dealing with cars with hail damage is your insurance company. Call the number on your insurance card to make a claim. They’ll have questions about the damage, so be prepared to discuss that. If you have questions or need help remembering important details to discuss, consider writing them down before calling. Remember that more information is better during this conversation.

Step 2: Assess and document the damage

You’ll want to assess and document the car hail damage for yourself, but also, your insurance company will send out an appraiser to assess your vehicle and determine how much damage it has. Take clear photos of the damage for your own records, and keep them in a safe folder where you’ll easily be able to access them later. You’ll want to compare the before and after to judge how well the dents were removed during the repair process. If you have any pictures of your vehicle before the hail damage, add those to the folder as well. When the insurance company sends out an appraiser, make sure you can be there for his or her visit. Take notes about what the appraiser says, and be sure to ask about the deductible, which you will be responsible for paying. Your conversation with the appraiser should help you determine what repair work needs to be done and what kind of repair shop you need to choose.

Step 3: Choose the repair shop

When choosing the right shop to handle your hail dent repair, you’ll want to schedule several estimates from local body shops. Don’t just look for the best deal. Make sure you’re looking at how the business handles repair work, and be very wary of pop-up shops. During hail season in Dallas-Fort Worth, people flood the market with temporary hail repair shops that promise great deals but then close up as soon as the season ends, which means they’re not held accountable in the long-term to their customers. Choose a reputable dent repair company like Bodyguard that will be here long after hail season ends. Make sure you’re asking good questions when sussing out the best repair shop. By the time you have to make a decision, you should have a solid understanding of what your out-of-pocket expenses will be, how long the expected repair will take, how each business operates, and what guarantees they offer. You’ll have a timeframe to get the repair work done, so take some time to consider the shops, the estimates, and your deductible. Cost is important, but it’s not the only factor. When making your decision, weigh the importance of warranties and the other things that make each shop stand out from the rest.

Don’t forget! Keep copies of receipts and warranties.

It’s good to keep records of any repair work done on your vehicle so you can refer back to it later. Scan the paperwork to have digital copies to put in the same folder where you put your pictures that document the damage. If you don’t have a printer, look for apps on your phone or tablet that allow you to make digital scans. They’re good tools to have for tasks like this.

Why choose Paintless Dent Repair for hail damage?

When it’s possible to use paintless dent repair (PDR), we believe it’s the best option available to car owners because it’s cheaper, faster, and retains the car’s value much better. Traditional dent repair is a lengthy and involved process that requires sanding off the original factory paint, hammering the damaged material back to its original form, filling in any gashes with putty, the second round of sanding, and then finally repainting, which requires a primer, a base coat, and a final coat of paint. On the other hand, Paintless dent repair is exactly what it sounds like: returning dented material to its original shape while maintaining the condition of the factory paint. There is no sanding and painting involved in this process. Instead, a technician uses specialized tools to massage the material back into the correct position carefully. As the technician works, the damaged area will get smaller and smaller and then eventually disappear altogether.

BodyGuard is the best choice in DFW for paintless dent repair

Fixing hail damage without further damaging the material is a task that requires professional training, expert skill, and exacting precision. Not every bodyshop is equipped to handle the job efficiently and effectively. Bodyguard specializes in paintless dent repair, so if you’re looking for the best hail damage repair company to handle your vehicle hail damage, reach out to our team of professionals at Bodyguard. Beyond simply hail dent removal and fixing hail damage on cars, our auto hail specialists will give you the flawless customer service experience you deserve. We’re known and trusted in DFW for our top-quality care. Call us today to let a true automotive hail damage specialist handle your vehicle’s hail dent repair and auto hail repair needs. Go to our website at bodyguardpdr.com for more information, or call us today at 469-628-4910 to set up an appointment.