Frequently Asked Questions

A standard hail estimate requires 30-45 minutes. During this time, the estimator follows a systematic format of identifying the severity and quantity of dents on all panels. In addition, the estimator communicates with you to answer all questions they may have about the repair and obtains all accurate vehicle information.

A clean vehicle allows the estimator to see clearly the damage. Dust and dirt can often mask damage, causing inaccurate estimates and delays in the repair process.

During the estimate process, your estimator and/or the Auto Hail Logistics representative will greet you and will drive the vehicle into the estimating bay. Then, they appraise the vehicle, taking record of the scope of the hail damage as well as the severity and quantity of dents. The estimate is then finalized and reviewed with you. You will be provided with a printed copy of the estimate.

During the hail estimate process, any non-hail damage will be noted. The condition of the car, including this damage, is considered the pre-loss condition of the vehicle. Any damage that is not hail-related will not be covered on the repair.

At the time of your estimate, you will be asked when you would like to schedule your vehicle for repairs. During an average hail storm, thousands of vehicles sustain damages, thus, it may be a few weeks before your scheduled appointment. Depending on the severity of your vehicle's hail damage, Auto Hail Logistics can provide two types of repairs on your vehicle. The first is to completely repair your vehicle utilizing the Auto Hail Logistics paintless dent repair (PDR) process. This normally takes a few days from the time of drop off, to the time of pickup to complete. The second involves the use of both the PDR process and conventional body shop repairs. This process is referred to as a Combination Repair. The time frame for this type of repair will vary from several days to longer depending on the severity of damage.

Supplements are additional operations or parts necessary to complete the repair of the vehicle that go beyond the original estimate. In some cases, the original estimate is insufficient to perform the repairs. When a vehicle is dropped off for repairs, a second inspection is done to determine if all of the damage was documented for repair. If all damage was found and written on the original estimate, no supplement is needed. However, if some damage was overlooked on the original estimate, a “supplement” is needed to document the necessary operations or parts needed to properly repair the vehicle.

Paintless Dent Repair is a specialized and meticulous process for returning dents to their original shape without having to paint any part of the vehicle.

Conventional body repair often replaces the panels on a car or truck and requires painting to match the factory finish. In some cases, hail damage is so severe that conventional body shop methods are necessary to repair certain panels. If there are too many dents or too many large dents, a panel may not be able to be repaired with PDR.