Things that you need to know in Paintless Dent Repair

In the factory, automotive paint and finishes are designed to withstand sun exposure and weather. However, factory paint does not adhere the same to metal and will wear down quickly. This makes the vehicle look bad and lowers its resale or trade-in value.

Here are some examples of "fill & paint" repairs a few years down the road.

You can see that the repair work is not holding up well and is starting to crack and peel. The repaired area is also much darker than the surrounding area, making it very obvious where the repair work was done.

Paintless dent repair is a superior repair method because it preserves the factory finish.

Insurance adjusters don't always know what can be fixed with PDR and what can't, so it's best to have the vehicle in the shop when they come to look at it.

Comprehensive insurance covers things that aren't your fault like vandalism or severe weather.

Comprehensive is different coverage than collision, which pays for accidents caused by you. Insurance companies can't discriminate against people by raising rates due to acts of nature.

Your insurance protects you from hail damage, and you are entitled to use the shop of your choice. There are no repercussions for filing comprehensive claims.

Hail damage significantly lowers your vehicle's Kelly Blue Book (KBB) resale or trade-in value. Even just a few very light dents can devalue your vehicle by several thousand dollars. If you are still making payments, your vehicle may be worth less than what you owe on it. Get it fixed for free.

PDR at corporate collision centers is subcontracted to the lowest bidder, and not up to the highest standard of quality.

A flood of hail-damaged vehicles creates chaos in normal auto body shops, as they are not specialized in hail repairs. This can lead to a decline in quality and service and long wait times for appointments. Subcontractors are rushing to finish cars so they can make money off of the repairs.

If you have unclaimed hail damage and get in a wreck, your insurance company may try to total your vehicle. However, if you file a claim, your insurance company is obligated to repair the hail damage. Gap insurance will not always cover the entire cost of repairs. It is smart to file a claim so that you are not stuck with paying out of pocket for something that was already covered under your policy.