How To Handle Vehicle Hail Damage

Summer in Canada brings beautiful weather, but it also brings severe thunderstorms and hail. Hail can cause damage to vehicles that could end up costing you hundreds of dollars to repair. Depending on the size of the hailstones and the extent of the damage, some parts of your vehicle, such as the glass windshield, may need to be replaced altogether. If you experience hail damage to one or more of your vehicles, Advance Auto Service has created this guide to help you through the process.

As soon as you notice damage to your vehicle caused by hail, we recommend taking time to assess the damage. Write down all of the damage you see and the severity. You should also take photos of all damaged areas. This assessment and recording of the damage will be helpful in your insurance claims.

In British Columbia, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) covers many types of hail damage to vehicles. As well, any damage not covered by ICBC is often covered by supplementary private insurance. Contacting your insurance company right after a hailstorm will ensure you register your claim and can get your vehicle repaired quickly. Keep in mind that if your car was damaged by hail, many other vehicles in your area were also likely damaged. Contacting your insurance company quickly will help you stay at the front of the line and avoid the backlog of new claims.

Since we all rely on our vehicles to get us where we need to go, it’s important to repair any damage that might prevent you from quickly getting back on the road! A car or truck with a cracked windshield may not be legally driveable. Minor dents can often be repaired through Paintless Dent Repair (PDR), which uses a special tool to push back the dent from the inside out. Larger dents are usually fixed with a puller—a suctioned tool that pulls the dent back to normal from the outside. Repainting may also be required.

Advance Auto Service is known throughout Kamloops for excellent vehicle service and maintenance. They also do minor repairs after a hailstorm. With two Kamloops locations to serve you, our licensed automotive technicians provide quick and affordable vehicle repairs. Contact us today to book your next service visit.