Anyone have experience with hail damage?

[OffRoad Rage]

I got caught in the big hail storm on I-10 on the way home tonight. No I wasn't drinking at the time. I still can't imagine golfball size hail in Phx when it was 98 degrees out in the summer. Anyway, it got my hood and roof, not a lot but a couple of nice size dings.

Anyway, I'm looking for advice regarding insurance. I don't want call my agent to report it only to be told that I owe a $500 deductible, have $700 worth of damage and now have my truck on the Car fax report as having had hail damage. On the other hand I pay premiums so I'd like for them to fix if it won't kill me out of pocket.

Anyone speak from experience when it comes to hail damage claims?

Thanks,
Norm

 

[clarkrw3]

That sucks!!! What part of I10? I came home in the rain on I10 but no hail. I would try a paintless dent removal person first. I have seen them get out some crazy large door dings and shopping cart dents...worth a try they aren't too expensive either.

 

[OffRoad Rage]

That sucks!!! What part of I10? I came home in the rain on I10 but no hail.

Westbound just east of 75th Ave around 4:45p. Traffic came to a dead stop (5 lanes) as everyone tried to cram their cars, motorcycles, etc. under the over pass to avoid being pounded. One of the craziest things I've seen driving.

Great thought on the dent guys. Thanks.

 

[Cantinero]

I got caught in it around 5:00PM at 35th & Union Hills, but it was marble size. I was afraid I was going to loose my windshield. Didn't really check for body damage yet.

 

[45Kevin]

Hail damage around here is a regular thing. Cars, garage doors, eavetrough and roofs are very common areas of damage. I have even seen house windows broken. I have never bothered to make a hail claim on my vehicles. My wife filed once and got her car mostly repainted. If you take the cash, your car is flagged and can't get hail coverage again.

If you only have a couple of dings, the dentless repair guy may be able to fix it for less that your deductable. I am surprised that your cruiser, with it's thicker than usual body panels, sustained damage.

 

[clarkrw3]

Westbound just east of 75th Ave around 4:45p. Traffic came to a dead stop (5 lanes) as everyone tried to cram their cars, motorcycles, etc. under the over pass to avoid being pounded. One of the craziest things I've seen driving.

Great thought on the dent guys. Thanks.

Wow....I was about 15-20min behind you. So that's what all the traffic was about on the west bound 10 yesterday...it was bumper to bumper from the tunnel to 75ave

 

[Living in the Past]

That's our normal time and route home. Lucky for us we decided to gas up at the Costco on Grand. Mostly rain with very small hail. But we were in the 4Runner so it wounldn't have been as big a deal if we were driving the 100 series. By the time we got to Northern the road was dry.

John

 

[Tools R Us]

With any minor body damage, always have it checked, estimated before contacting the insurance co.