A recent severe thunderstorm at the Atlanta International Airport caused damage to over 100 Delta planes. Not from damage of thunder strikes or sudden flooding, but from frozen round ice the size of golf balls slamming into the fuselage, windows, and wings. This is known to most as hail damage.

Hailstorms strike fast and leave a lot of damage. The Metro Atlanta area, including Smyrna, is no stranger to hail. Hail can leave numerous drivers with dented hoods or chipped paint, potentially ruining the value of their vehicles. 

Before you start searching for “auto body shop near me” after a storm, there is some info you might want to know to ensure you’re getting the best possible service. Here are some insights from our professional and experienced team at Atlanta Auto Collision. 

What Is Hail Damage? 

Georgia experiences anywhere from 10 to 20 hailstorms a year. Most hailstones end up measuring around ¾ to 1 inch in size. These storms occur when strong thunderstorms carry raindrops high up in the clouds, where they freeze before falling to the ground. 

When you sit through a hailstorm, you can hear the ice pellets bouncing off your roof and windows. This causes all types of damage like: 

• Cosmetic Damage: Dents, dings, and chipped paint reduce your vehicle’s resale value, requiring a quality paint and body shop to fix issues through proven techniques like paintless dent repair (PDR). 
  
• Structural Damage: Windshield cracks, warped frames, leaks, and electrical issues, which make your vehicle next to impossible to drive again without serious and professional auto body shop care. 

In most cases, you’ll find surface dents and chipped paint. Unless you can take cover and rest out the storm with extra protection, you’re going to need the help of an auto body paint shop with experience in hailstorm damage fixes. 

How We Repair Hail Damage

Atlanta Auto Collision is uniquely prepared for hail damage repair. We have advanced tools managed by professionally trained technicians well-versed in the latest industry-certified techniques. When you work with our crew, you receive repairs that restore your vehicle to look amazing. While every car is unique, we generally follow a standard repair plan. 

• Initial Assessment: We’ll work up documentation and provide a clear quote for the repair. This includes any compromised structural supports, internal panel distortions, or if you require painting. 
  
• Paintless Dent Repair: For any minor dents, we use advanced PDR that gently pushes or massages the dents back into the proper setting while protecting the original factory paint. This is a fast and effective system that doesn’t involve fillers or chemicals. 
  
• Repainting and Refinishing: If hail damage has caused chipping or cracking of your paint, we’ll sand, prime, and repaint the affected areas using our premium color-matching analysis. One of the reasons so many clients come to our auto body paint shop is our ability to match OEM, custom, and faded paints. 
  
• Glass and Frame: Finally, we’ll look at cracked windshields and broken side mirrors. Our computerized measuring systems provide a clear outline of the frame issues or glass repairs that need to be addressed to restore your vehicle. 

We also provide a timeline. That way, you’re not stuck wondering if you’ll get to work on time or need to catch a ride for a couple of days. 

Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Most auto body shops will work with insurance providers to cover the cost of any repair or vehicle damage. At Atlanta Auto Collision, we work hard to fill in those insurance gaps with cost-effective pricing for all our clients. 

If you have comprehensive insurance on your vehicle, you’re likely covered for hail damage. These policies provide protection from natural events like falling trees, floods, theft, and weather. Unfortunately, if you only have collision or liability insurance, you’re probably not covered for hail. 

We should also mention that filing a hail claim shouldn’t raise your rates. These are considered an “act of nature” and outside your control. However, you should always talk with your provider to confirm coverage and any deductibles before hiring a body shop. There may be deadlines after a storm (windows of time to secure a repair). 

How To Prevent Future Hail Damage

You’re likely reading this article because you’ve experienced hail damage around Atlanta already and need a quality body repair shop. However, we want to cover all our bases and provide some quick information.

• First, use covered parking whenever possible. Not only does this protect your car during a storm, but it saves the paint from UV damage over the long term. 
  
• Next, consider a hail cover. You can purchase a decent cover for around $100 and keep it stored in the trunk. The extra padding goes a long way to absorbing hail impacts. 
  
• In a pinch, take your floor mats in your car and put them on your windshield and hood. That will reduce damage if you have to wait out a storm without cover. Be sure to pull in your side mirrors as well, just in case the hail gets really bad. 

The last thing you should do is actively monitor the weather. Get hourly updates by tuning in to your local public radio broadcast or keep weather alert notifications turned on for your smartphone. That should give you enough warning to seek shelter and avoid having your car totaled by a hailstorm. 

Don’t Wait For Repairs

Hail might be a regular occurrence around the Atlanta area, but waiting too long to find cover or ignoring the weather reports is a mistake. With all the recent extreme weather events and hailstorms in our area, we at Atlanta Auto Collision want to do everything possible to help you restore your vehicle to its original appearance. 

Our certified technicians offer years of experience working with hail damage repair. We are a full-service auto body paint shop that uses OEM parts and advanced PDR, ensuring fast turnaround times and honest estimates. 

The next time you’re searching for “best body shops near me across Smyrna or the Metro Atlanta area, trust our team. From minor dents to cracked paint and more, we can act fast to get your car back on the road and in fantastic condition. Contact us today and book an estimate ASAP!