How to handle hail damage to your car

It’s already February, which means that while it seems miles away, summer isn’t really all that far off for us Central Floridians. Things will start heating up in May and soon after, our infamous summer thunderstorms will start to make their rounds across the state. And with them comes a real risk for severe weather, including heavy rains, high winds, lightning, and hail. Hail can do a serious number on your car, and our Orlando Toyota body shop is here to help you both prevent and deal with hail damage like a pro.

How to avoid hail damage

The best way to handle hail is to avoid it altogether (a no-brainer, but worth repeating). Hail can leave dings and dents all over the body of your car, damage the paint, crack glass and plastic, and more. So how can you keep your car out of the way of this type of damage? If you know bad weather is headed your way, put your car under as much cover as you can find. A parking garage or attached garage is best, but a carport or any other type of covered parking can help protect your ride from dings and dents.

But as much as you try to prepare, sometimes bad storms just crop up or you’re in a place where you can’t find covered parking to protect your ride. If your Orlando Toyota does sustain hail damage, here are the steps to remedy it.

• Don’t try to fix it DIY style at home. Hail damage can be serious and difficult to repair, so it’s best if you leave it to the experts at Toyota of Orlando and let them restore your car back to like-new condition.
• You may want to contact your car insurance company. In most cases, hail damage should be covered under your comprehensive policy so you would just have to pay the deductible (which is going to be a lot cheaper than paying the full amount for repairs, especially if they’re extensive). Also, in states like Florida, you can get a free windshield replacement via car insurance if you sustain cracks in the glass.
• Make sure you get an estimate through the insurance company for repairs so they can send you a check and your body shop can get to work immediately. This is especially true if you have paint damage – you don’t want to leave the metal exposed to the elements, especially in summer.
• Choose a body shop – like Toyota of Orlando – that you trust for the repairs. Hail damage can be tricky and there’s often paint repair involved, too, so you want to ensure you get quality workmanship. Plus, we offer a wide range of warranties to give you better peace of mind.

Schedule all of your repairs at Toyota of Orlando today

Need hail damage repairs or have questions about the process? Call Toyota of Orlando today at (407) 298-6006 or stop by and see us in person. We’re just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road.

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