What To Do After a Colorado Hail Storm Hits Your Car

If you’ve lived in Denver, Aurora, or Centennial for any length of time, you know the drill. The sky turns green, the weather alerts start buzzing, and suddenly golf ball-sized ice is pounding your car in the parking lot. Colorado hail storms are no joke, and they can leave your vehicle looking like it lost a fight with a bag of hammers.

The good news? Hail damage is fixable, and most of the time your insurance covers it. But what you do in the hours and days after a storm matters a lot. At Rocky Mountain Dent Service, we’ve helped thousands of Denver-area drivers navigate the aftermath of hail damage, and we’ve learned that a little know-how goes a long way. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do after a Colorado hail storm hits your car, from the moment the ice stops falling to the day you drive away with your vehicle looking like new.

Assess the Damage Safely

First things first: don’t rush outside while hail is still falling. It sounds obvious, but we’ve seen people sprint to their cars mid-storm trying to move them to cover. Wait until everything has passed and conditions are safe.

Once the storm clears, give your vehicle a thorough once-over. Here’s what to look for:

• Body panels: Check the roof, hood, trunk lid, and door panels for dents. Hail damage can range from tiny dimples to substantial craters depending on hail size.
• Glass: Inspect your windshield, side windows, and rear glass for chips, cracks, or outright breaks. Even small chips can spread quickly.
• Trim and mirrors: Side mirrors, roof rails, and plastic trim pieces can crack or dislodge during a severe storm.
• Lights: Headlights, taillights, and turn signals are vulnerable too.

A pro tip from our Denver shop: examine your car under good lighting. Overcast skies or dim garage lighting can hide smaller dents. If you can, check the vehicle on a sunny day or use a bright flashlight held at an angle to the surface. Those subtle dings will suddenly pop into view.

If your windshield is cracked or shattered, don’t drive the car until it’s replaced. Safety comes first, and a compromised windshield won’t protect you properly in another accident.

Document Everything for Your Insurance Claim

Before you touch anything or start getting estimates, grab your phone and document the damage. This step is crucial for a smooth insurance claim.

Taking Photos and Videos

Take more photos than you think you need. Seriously. Start with wide shots showing your entire vehicle from each angle, then move in closer to capture individual dents and damage areas. Good lighting makes a huge difference here.

A few pointers:

• Shoot in high resolution (your phone’s default setting is usually fine)
• Take close-ups of every dent, crack, and scratch you can find
• Record a slow walk-around video where you narrate what you’re seeing
• If there’s interior damage from water intrusion or broken glass, document that too

This documentation becomes your evidence when filing a claim. Insurance adjusters appreciate thorough records, and it protects you if there’s any dispute about what damage occurred during the storm versus what was pre-existing.

Gathering Supporting Information

Beyond photos, collect any information that supports your claim:

• Date, time, and location of the storm
• Weather reports showing hail size and storm severity in your area (local news stations and the National Weather Service are good sources)
• Witness information if neighbors or coworkers saw the damage occur
• Professional estimates from a qualified hail repair shop

Many insurance companies accept preliminary estimates based on photos or videos. At Rocky Mountain Dent Service, we can provide rough estimates remotely if you send us clear images of the damage. This gives you a starting point before the adjuster even looks at your car.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve documented the damage, it’s time to call your insurance company and file a claim. Don’t wait on this. Most insurers prefer prompt reporting, and some policies have time limits for filing.

When you call, have your documentation ready and be prepared to answer questions about:

• Where your car was parked during the storm
• The date and approximate time of the hail event
• A general description of the visible damage

Here’s something many Denver-area drivers don’t realize: hail damage falls under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy, not collision. This is important because comprehensive claims work differently than collision claims.

Ask your insurance rep about:

• Your comprehensive deductible amount
• Whether you have rental car coverage while your vehicle is being repaired
• The process for getting an estimate (will an adjuster inspect the car, or can you get estimates from shops directly?)
• Any preferred repair shops in their network

One question we hear constantly: “Will a hail damage claim raise my insurance premiums?” The short answer for most Colorado drivers is no. Because hail is considered an act of nature and no one is at fault, comprehensive claims typically don’t increase your rates the way collision claims might. That said, every policy is different, so it’s worth confirming with your insurer.

Understand Your Coverage Options

Insurance can be confusing, so let’s break down what you’re likely dealing with after a Colorado hail storm.

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage caused by things other than collisions: theft, vandalism, falling objects, and yes, hail. If you have comprehensive coverage, your hail damage repair should be covered minus your deductible.

Actual Cash Value (ACV) is how insurers determine what your car is worth at the time of loss. This matters because if repair costs get too high, your insurer might declare the vehicle a total loss. Generally, if repairs reach around 70-75% of your car’s ACV, you’re in total loss territory.

What happens if your car is totaled? You’ll receive a payout based on your vehicle’s ACV, minus your deductible. Some insurers let you keep the totaled car (called retaining the salvage), but you’ll receive less money and may lose the ability to carry comprehensive or collision coverage on it going forward.

For most hail-damaged vehicles in the Denver metro, we’re not talking about total losses. Paintless dent repair can fix even significant hail damage at a fraction of what traditional bodywork would cost, which keeps repair bills well below that total loss threshold.

Here’s another thing worth knowing: at Rocky Mountain Dent Service, we typically cover your deductible when you choose us for repairs. Because hail damage is covered under comprehensive insurance, there are often no out-of-pocket expenses for our customers. That’s a pretty big deal when you’re already stressed about your battered car.

Choose a Reputable Repair Shop

Not all dent repair shops are created equal, and after a major hail event, you’ll see plenty of “storm chasers” flooding into Colorado from out of state. These pop-up operations set up in parking lots, do quick repairs, and then disappear. If something goes wrong with the work, good luck finding them.

When choosing a hail repair shop, look for:

• Local roots: A shop that’s been serving Denver, Aurora, Centennial, and surrounding areas for years isn’t going anywhere. They have a reputation to maintain.
• Certifications and training: Paintless dent repair is a specialized skill. Ask about technician training and certifications.
• Insurance experience: Shops that work directly with insurance companies can handle much of the claims process for you.
• Written estimates and warranties: You should get a detailed written estimate before work begins and a warranty on the repairs.
• Reviews: Check Google reviews, Yelp, and ask around. Word of mouth still matters.

Our technicians at Rocky Mountain Dent Service have extensive training in hail damage repair. We’ve been negotiating with insurance claim adjusters for over 20 years, so we know how to make sure your vehicle is restored to its pre-damaged state. And we back our work with a lifetime guarantee.

Also, don’t feel pressured to use only your insurer’s “preferred” shops. You have the right to choose where your car gets repaired. A good independent shop will work with your insurance company just as effectively.

Know Your Repair Options

When it comes to fixing hail damage, you’ve got two main paths: paintless dent repair (PDR) and traditional bodywork.

Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)

This is the gold standard for hail damage when the paint hasn’t been cracked or chipped. Skilled technicians use specialized tools to carefully massage dents out from behind the panel, restoring the original shape without any need for filler, sanding, or repainting.

Why is PDR preferred?

• It preserves your factory paint finish, which matters for resale value
• It’s faster than traditional bodywork (often days instead of weeks)
• It’s typically more affordable
• It’s environmentally friendly since there are no chemicals, paints, or fillers involved
• All insurance companies approve this method

PDR works great for the vast majority of hail damage we see in Denver. Unless your paint is cracked or you have deep creases that compromised the metal, PDR can probably fix it.

Traditional Bodywork

Sometimes PDR isn’t enough. If hail broke through the paint, caused sharp creases, or created structural damage, traditional repair methods are necessary. This might involve:

• Filling dents with body filler
• Sanding and repainting panels
• Replacing panels entirely if damage is too severe

Traditional bodywork takes longer and costs more, but it’s sometimes the only option. A reputable shop will be honest with you about which approach makes sense for your specific damage.

At Rocky Mountain Dent Service, we specialize in PDR and can handle everything from minor dings to extensive hail damage. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what repair method your car needs.

Protect Your Car From Future Hail Damage

Once you’ve been through the hassle of hail damage repair, you’ll probably want to avoid a repeat performance. Here’s how to protect your vehicle during Colorado’s notoriously volatile storm season:

Covered parking is king. If you have access to a garage, use it. If not, look for covered parking structures when storms are forecast. Even a carport or parking garage at work can save your car during a surprise afternoon storm.

Invest in a hail protection cover. These padded car covers are designed specifically to absorb hail impact. They’re not foolproof against baseball-sized hail, but they can prevent damage from typical storms. Keep one in your trunk during spring and summer.

Pay attention to weather alerts. Colorado storms can develop fast, but they’re not completely unpredictable. Keep weather apps on your phone and take warnings seriously. If a severe thunderstorm warning mentions large hail, get your car to cover if you can do so safely.

Review your insurance coverage. Make sure your comprehensive coverage and deductible make sense for Colorado’s hail risk. A lower deductible means less out-of-pocket expense when (not if) hail strikes, though it also means higher premiums. Talk to your insurance agent about what makes sense for your situation.

Know where to park. If you work in downtown Denver or spend time in Aurora or Centennial, scout out covered parking options in advance. When dark clouds roll in, you’ll know exactly where to go.

Colorado averages some of the most severe hail in the country. Living here means accepting some risk, but smart habits can dramatically reduce your chances of dealing with hail damage again.

Conclusion

Dealing with hail damage is stressful. There’s no way around that. But knowing what to do after a Colorado hail storm hits your car makes the whole process much more manageable. Assess the damage safely, document everything thoroughly, file your insurance claim promptly, and choose a reputable local repair shop.

At Rocky Mountain Dent Service, we’ve been helping vehicle owners across Denver, Aurora, and Centennial restore their hail-damaged cars for over two decades. We offer free estimates on all repairs, scheduling within 24 hours, insurance claim support, and a lifetime guarantee on our work. And because we typically cover your deductible, there are usually no out-of-pocket costs.

If your car got caught in the last storm, or you’re just preparing for the next one, we’re here to help. Contact us for an on-site or in-store inspection and estimate. You can even get a rough estimate based on photos or videos if that’s easier. Let us walk you through every step of the process and get your vehicle back to its pre-damaged state. That’s what we do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a Colorado hail storm hits my car?

After the storm passes and conditions are safe, thoroughly inspect your vehicle for damage including body panels, glass, trim, and lights. Document everything with photos and videos before filing an insurance claim. Check your car under good lighting to spot smaller dents that may be hidden.

Does hail damage fall under comprehensive or collision insurance in Colorado?

Hail damage is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy, not collision. This distinction matters because comprehensive claims typically don’t increase your premiums since hail is considered an act of nature with no one at fault.

Will filing a hail damage claim raise my insurance rates?

For most Colorado drivers, a hail damage claim will not increase insurance premiums. Because hail is classified as an act of nature and no fault is assigned, comprehensive claims generally don’t affect your rates like collision claims would. However, confirm with your specific insurer.

What is paintless dent repair and why is it preferred for hail damage?

Paintless dent repair (PDR) uses specialized tools to massage dents out from behind panels without filler, sanding, or repainting. It’s preferred because it preserves your factory paint finish, is faster and more affordable than traditional bodywork, and is approved by all insurance companies.

How can I protect my car from future hail damage in Colorado?

Use covered parking whenever possible, invest in a padded hail protection car cover for your trunk, monitor weather alerts closely, and scout covered parking options near your work and frequent locations in advance. Colorado averages some of the most severe hail in the country, so preparation is essential.

When is a hail-damaged car considered a total loss?

Insurance companies typically declare a vehicle a total loss when repair costs reach around 70-75% of the car’s actual cash value (ACV). However, paintless dent repair can fix significant hail damage at a fraction of traditional bodywork costs, keeping most vehicles below the total loss threshold.