PDR & Insurance

Your Stress-Free Guide to Hail Claim

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Insurance & Hail Damage FAQs

Filing an insurance claim shouldn’t be a second disaster. Whether a sudden Houston hailstorm left your car looking like a golf ball or a runaway shopping cart left a nasty souvenir, we are here to help you navigate the paperwork.

American Dent Specialists works with all major insurance carriers. Our job is to make sure your vehicle is restored to its original beauty without you having to spend your afternoon on hold with an insurance adjuster.

Actually, no. In the state of Texas, it is your legal right to choose whichever repair facility you trust. Insurance companies often have “preferred” shops, but those shops often prioritize the insurer’s bottom line. At American Dent Specialists, our only priority is your vehicle’s finish. We work with your adjuster to ensure the repair is done to our master-technician standards, not just the “minimum required” standard.

This is the most common concern we hear, and the answer is almost always no. Hail is classified as a “comprehensive” claim because it’s an act of nature that you couldn’t prevent. Unlike a collision claim where you might be at fault, comprehensive claims generally do not result in a rate increase. You pay for this coverage every month—don’t be afraid to use it when you need it!

This happens more often than you’d think. Adjusters often miss smaller dings when looking at a car in a driveway or under poor lighting. When your car arrives at our shop, we perform a “supplemental” inspection using specialized PDR light boards that reveal every hidden imperfection. We then submit a supplement to your insurance company with photographic evidence, handling the negotiations ourselves to ensure every single dent is paid for and repaired.

If you are using insurance to cover your dent repairs, the deductible is simply the portion of the repair bill that you agreed to pay when you signed up for your policy. Think of it as your “skin in the game.”

Here is the breakdown of how it usually plays out at Collision Craftsman:

  • The Math: If your hail damage repair costs $4,000 and your deductible is $500, your insurance company sends a check for $3,500. You are responsible for the remaining $500 balance once the work is completed.
  • The “To File or Not to File” Rule: For small dings or minor creases, PDR is often so affordable that the total cost is less than your deductible. In these cases, we recommend paying out of pocket. It keeps your claims history clean and usually costs you less in the long run.
  • Hail Damage and Comprehensive Claims: Most PDR for hail falls under “Comprehensive” coverage. Since hail is an act of nature, filing these claims typically doesn’t hike your monthly premiums the way an at-fault accident would.
  • The “Waived” Deductible Myth: You might see shops promising to “waive” your deductible. Legally, the deductible must be paid. However, we work diligently with your insurance adjuster to ensure every bit of damage is accounted for at the proper labor rates, which helps minimize your out-of-pocket stress while staying strictly by the book.

We are experts at navigating the paperwork side of things, so if you bring your estimate by the shop, we can help you figure out if filing a claim is actually your best move.

It’s less about the size and more about the depth and location. We have successfully removed dents the size of a dinner plate if they are shallow and the paint is flexible. The real “deal-breakers” are dents located on the very edge of a panel or those with extremely sharp, creased metal. The best way to know is to text us a photo—we’re pretty honest about what we can work our magic on!

A vehicle is considered a “Total Loss” if the cost of the repair exceeds a certain percentage of the car’s value. While rare with minor hail, older vehicles with lower market values can sometimes hit this threshold. If this happens, we can walk you through your options—including “owner-retaining” the vehicle—to find the best financial outcome for you.

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Same-day service available

Visit us:

1729 Brittmoore Rd G, Houston, TX 77043

Call us:

(281) 660-3178

Was Your Vehicle Damaged From Hail?

Use Our Simplified Insurance Claim Process:

Free Inspection

You call us first. We conduct a thorough, complimentary inspection, document the damage, and provide a clear, detailed estimate for your insurance company.

Claim Support

We help you file the claim with your insurance provider. Once approved, we schedule your repair immediately

Repair & Return

Our expert team repairs your vehicle. We handle the final bill and paperwork with the insurer. You pick up your spotless, like-new vehicle.

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Hail Damage or Collision Accident?

We Speak “Insurance” So You Don’t Have To

You’ve got enough on your plate. Let the experts at American Dent Specialists take the lead on your claim. From the initial inspection to the final handshake, we’re in your corner. Just click below, upload images of your damage, and we’ll help guide you through the whole process.