Hail damage in El Paso: What drivers should do after severe storms

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Recent storms across the Borderland have brought the threat of hail, leaving some drivers concerned about possible damage to their vehicles.

Hail can damage several parts of a vehicle, and experts say drivers should carefully inspect their cars after severe weather moves through the area.

Charles Smith, owner of MVS Body Shop, said drivers should look for dents and other signs of damage on areas exposed to the storm.

“It will be indentations in the panels. You wanna look for indents in the moldings, windshields, roofs, depending on what side the rain or hail hits,” Smith said. “The door panels, the hoods — pretty much anything that’s exposed to the weather can be damaged.”

Smith cautioned drivers against attempting to fix hail dents on their own.

“What drivers shouldn’t do is try to repair the dents themselves because a lot of times that makes our job harder,” Smith said.

Destiny Venecia reports on Hail damage in El Paso: What drivers should do after severe storms (Credit: KFOX14)

Victor Ramirez with Farpon Auto Insurance said drivers who discover hail damage should document it before filing an insurance claim.

Drivers should take photos of the damage, make note of when the storm occurred and review their insurance policy to determine what type of coverage they have.

Comprehensive auto insurance typically covers hail damage. Drivers who carry only liability coverage, however, may not have coverage for storm-related damage to their own vehicles.

Whether a damaged vehicle can be repaired or is declared a total loss will depend on the extent of the damage and the vehicle’s value. If the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle, it could be considered a total loss.

Experts recommend getting a repair estimate as soon as possible after discovering hail damage. The estimate can help drivers understand the extent of the damage and determine whether filing an insurance claim is the right option.

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