Hail Damage

My 19 Off road got hit Wednesday night. Hail size up to 2-2.5”. Damage looks to be contained to the hood, driver side of the car, and the roof took the brunt of the impacts. Luckily no broken windows. My 08 Accord wasn’t as lucky passenger side mirror is toast windshield toast. House 4 windows where taken out and the whole north side of the house was pelted on the siding and trim.
From past experience the Accord would seem to be totaled out. I doubt the 4Runner would be. It sucks seeing the hood look beaten up. But if I’m correct Mythbusters confirmed that if the car has a golf ball texture to it then it would get better gas mileage.
Does anyone have any experience with a large amount of hail damage with their 4Runner? I’m a little worried about all the roof damage. I will take up close photos tomorrow.

 

Sorry for your damage! As a former Auto Claims Adjuster for USAA for a few years, I have handled thousands of hail damage claims. Then, ironically, a month after I quit that job, I got hit by quarter-sized hail and suffered about $7500 worth of damage to my year old Ford Fusion in a freak storm in Arizona.

From what I've seen, most insurance companies have the same processes for handling hail claims. If the storm was wide-spread in a populated area with lots of people affected, the insurance company will often set up a drive-thru inspection station at a couple of their preferred body shops in the areas. We did this all the time. You call your company and they will get you an appointment at the shop.

Or, if your company didn't have as many losses, then they will either have you go to one of their preferred shops, or will send a field adjuster to your home or work. But in the case of hail claims, it is one of the most frequently fraudulent claims, so they will want to have either one of their adjusters inspect it, or one of their shops inspect it.

Usually, hail damage can be repaired using PDR (Paintless Dent Repair). This is a good thing. It maintains the integrity of the factory paint system and is cheaper and quicker.

The process will involve removing the headliner to get the roof damage taken care of, as well as any other interior panels so they can get their tools to the dent.

Here's a video that shows repairs being done...

 

Thank you for your insight. The range of damage seems to be small and directed to just a couple of towns. I know 2 miles west of us seemed to be hit harder than us. Geico has not set out a drive thru and I did not want to try and coordinate to get both cars looked at the same time off site from home so they are coming to me to look. This is the 3rd round of hail for the Accord the ones pictured above were in 2010 with softball size 3x hits and $5,600 repairs. I really don’t want to lose her. What’s your experience with totaled out hail cars were the owners given options to buy the car back? My wife had a Ford Taurus that was totaled out shortly after we were married and they gave us the option to buy it from them for $200 and they gave us a check for $6400. I just hope that it may be an option for us again for this car.

 

You always have the option to buy the car back. Especially with hail damage, since it doesn't alter the structural integrity or safety of the vehicle and is just cosmetic, lots of folks decide to cash out and just keep them. Geico and most insurance companies total a vehicle when the cost of repairs exceed 70% of the retail value of the vehicle.

 

I’m no help here but I hope it all works out for you.

 

Just wanted to say sorry man. I saw so many cars two years ago damaged by hail at my Honda dealer. I have seen some very good paintless dent removal done though in the past. I am not sure that it will work for yours.

I have been known to drive to a local mall parking garage when they call for hail and go for a very long walk inside.

 

We were lucky others around us had their cars bumbled. I have good insurance and my family is safe. Sure it’s annoying but it is what it is just glad that I will be able to keep the Accord. In my early years of driving I would of been more upset but have learned that things can be fixed.

 

You are right count your blessings. I will readily admit I am single dude with no kids and so I obsess about cars/finishes, keeping stuff nice and taking care of family. I’d trade it all though for a loving wife and kids but I suppose the grass is greener on the other side they say right.

You’re right to count your blessing and be thankful you and your family are ok.

 

Well the Accord was totaled out. Oklahoma has a 60% range for damage which is one of the lower of the states I hear. At least I get to keep it I just need to put a new windshield in. As he started to look at the 4Runner it started to mist/drizzle so he came up with a low ball park of $2900 but once it hits the body shop he expects it to double possibly triple in amount of damage. He said it was getting difficult to see with the rain but had no problems with having anything amended. Geico was on time and allowed me to watch and question their results and processes. Which gave me comfort that I wouldn’t have to fight them on the littlest of things. They are allowing me to pick my own shop and told them to give the adjusters personal contact information to the shop for any needed adjustments.

 

Before I had kids I used to wax the bed of my truck, that's how much time I had. Having kids definitely changes your perspective on things.

 

I so did this with my first truck also

 

Well still not done been in the shop for almost 2 months. Everything is fixed except the roof which I have the option of getting a new roof (which has been on order for a month and still is unknown on when it will be delivered)or taking the money and putting a roof rack of some sorts. Part of me wants the roof fixed completely but a new roof worries me. Thoughts???

 

This is ridiculous, what does the roof need a microchip too? What's the reasoning given for the delay on a frickin' roof panel?

 

None just keeps getting pushed out. They only use OEM parts so maybe just maybe it’s coming from Japan?? Who knows. I have a lot of patience I just needed the 4Runner back before the fishing trip. Not like I have a convertible now just some dents.