Hail is far from being unheard of in Texas. In fact, it’s a relatively common sight in the Lone Star State during the winter months, so it’s essential to understand the threat it poses to your car. If you fail to protect your vehicle during a hailstorm, you could sustain some significant hail damage. Keep reading to learn about the three different types of hail damage and how they can be repaired.
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Minor Damage
Minor damage is the most likely type of damage you’ll sustain if you leave your car outside uncovered during a hailstorm. But don’t let the name fool you—minor damage can still come with major repair bills. Minor hail damage includes cracks or chips in the paint job’s surface and small dents on the hood and roof of your car. These dents might only be visible if they catch the light in exactly the right way.
Most people would consider this type of damage purely cosmetic, so you could feasibly leave it alone. Your car doesn’t need to be entirely dent-free to be safe to drive. However, if you want your car to look its best, you’ll want to have the damage repaired. Small dents usually don’t take much time or effort to pop out, and a quick buff can often deal with any damage to the paint job’s surface. Still, the cost can add up quickly if the hail damage is all over most of your vehicle.
Major Damage
Major hail damage is the kind that you’ll have to worry about. It’s defined as hail damage that leaves a clear, concave shape on the surface of your car. Even if it’s only a single dent, this auto hail damage is significant enough to require immediate repairs, and, of course, the more dents like this, the worse the problem is. If you have many small dents that have compounded to create noticeable damage to your vehicle’s paint finish and body, then this would also be classified as major hail damage.
If you sustain any major hail damage on your car, you should take it to an auto shop immediately. While even large hail dents can often be fixed with paintless dent removal, you’ll want to have the damage assessed to ensure it doesn’t compromise the structural integrity of your vehicle.
Windshield Damage
A broken windshield is the most serious type of hail damage you can sustain. Windshields don’t break easily, so if yours breaks in a hailstorm, it is likely very severe. A car without a windshield—or with one that’s damaged enough to obstruct visibility—is not safe to drive. You should have it towed to one of the auto body shops in Houston to have it repaired quickly.