Hail and Storm Damage in the High Desert: What Is Covered and How It Gets Fixed
Summer monsoon storms can bring hail, flash flooding, and flying debris to the High Desert. Here is how insurance usually handles it and how dents are repaired.
By the team at Fix Auto Apple Valley ·
Most of the year the High Desert is dry and sunny. But summer monsoon season can bring sudden thunderstorms with hail, strong winds, and flash flooding, and those storms can do a surprising amount of damage in a few minutes. Here is what to do if a storm catches your car.
Common storm damage
- Hail dents on the roof, hood, and trunk, sometimes dozens of them.
- Cracked windshields, mirrors, and lights.
- Wind-blown debris: branches, signs, and loose objects hitting the car.
- Flood and water damage from driving through or parking in washes and low spots.
Is it covered by insurance?
Hail, falling objects, and flood damage are typically covered under the comprehensive part of an auto policy, not collision. If you only carry liability insurance, storm damage to your own car generally is not covered. Check your policy and your comprehensive deductible.
Whatever coverage applies, you choose your repair shop. California law protects that right; read do I have to use the body shop my insurance recommends?
What to do after a storm
- Photograph the damage in good light, from several angles. Dents show up best in angled light.
- Cover broken glass to keep water and dust out.
- Do not start a flooded car. If water reached the interior or engine, have it towed. Starting it can cause much more damage.
- File your claim and tell your insurer where you want the car repaired.
- Send us photos for an estimate.
How hail and dent damage gets repaired
- Dent repair without repainting. When the paint is not broken, many dents can be worked out from behind the panel while keeping the factory finish.
- Conventional repair and paint. Larger dents, creases, or cracked paint need body work and refinishing. Our paint and refinish team color-matches by computer.
- Panel replacement. Severely damaged panels, such as a heavily dented roof or hood, are sometimes replaced. On aluminum panels, this follows the manufacturer's procedures (aluminum vehicle repair).
Learn more about dent and bumper repair.
Common questions
Should I fix hail damage if the car still runs fine?
If insurance is paying, it is usually worth it. Unrepaired hail damage lowers resale value, and cracked paint can lead to rust.
Does a hail claim raise my rates?
Comprehensive claims for weather are often treated differently than at-fault accidents, but every insurer is different. Ask your agent.
Caught in a storm? Send us photos for a free estimate.