If hail has dented your car, photograph the damage, check your policy and lodge a claim with your insurer as soon as you can. Most small hail dents can be pushed out with paintless dent removal, which keeps the factory paint. Deeper or creased dents, or dents where the paint has cracked, need traditional panel repair and a respray. Here’s how to handle it from the storm to the finished repair.
What to do after a hailstorm
Hailstorms can hit Sydney’s west with little warning, and a lot of cars in the same street often get damaged at once. A few simple steps early on make the claim and the repair go more smoothly.
- Check the car is safe to drive. Dents on their own usually aren’t a safety problem. A cracked windscreen in your line of sight, or broken lights or mirrors, are. If you’re not sure, leave it parked. We can arrange towing to our workshop.
- Photograph the damage. Take photos of every panel, especially the roof, bonnet and boot lid, where hail usually does the most damage. Shooting at an angle, or in soft light, makes shallow dents easier to see. Note the date and where the car was parked.
- Check your policy. Comprehensive car insurance usually covers storm and hail damage. Third party property cover usually doesn’t cover damage to your own car. Look at what the policy says about the excess and about who chooses the repairer.
- Lodge the claim. Contact your insurer, give them your photos and write down your claim number.
- Get the car assessed. The insurer or the repairer will look at the damage and decide how it should be fixed.
- Keep everything in writing. Save emails, the assessment and your final repair invoice in case questions come up later.
Paintless dent removal or panel repair?
Hail damage isn’t all the same. The size and shape of each dent, where it sits on the panel and whether the paint has cracked all decide how it gets fixed. Many cars need a mix of both methods.
| Paintless dent removal | Panel repair and respray | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Round, shallow dents where the paint is intact | Deep or sharp dents, creases, and dents where the paint has cracked or chipped |
| How it’s done | Dents are gently worked out from behind the panel with specialised tools | The panel is reshaped or replaced, then filled, primed and painted |
| Factory paint | Kept | Repaired area is repainted and blended |
| Colour-match risk | None | Needs careful matching |
We do paintless dent removal in-house, so both methods can be handled under one roof. For a closer look at when PDR works and what drives the price, read the true cost of paintless dent removal in Parramatta, or see our dent and hail repair service.
How a hail claim usually works
After a big storm, insurers can get a flood of claims at once, so it pays to lodge yours early. According to Moneysmart, once you’ve made a claim the insurer must contact you within 10 business days. They may accept it, reject it or ask for more information.
Most insurers have signed up to the General Insurance Code of Practice. Under the Code, your insurer should tell you how your claim is progressing at least every 20 business days, and should make a decision within four months of receiving it. That limit can be longer in some situations, such as an extraordinary catastrophe.
You’ll generally pay your excess on a hail claim. Some policies waive it in limited circumstances, so check your policy or ask your insurer. If you’re unhappy with how your claim is handled, complain to the insurer first. If that doesn’t fix it, you can go to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA).
Choosing who repairs your car
Some policies let you choose your own repairer. Others send you to the insurer’s network. Check your policy, or ask your insurer before the car is booked in.
Bailey Smash Repairs is a CGU preferred smash repairer. We also regularly repair cars for AAMI, Allianz, APIA, Budget Direct, GIO, NRMA, QBE, Suncorp, Youi and other insurers. You can read more about how we work with insurers on our insurance claims page.
- In business in North Parramatta since 2005.
- Paintless dent removal done in-house.
- Recognised by the Insurance Council of Australia, and we follow the Motor Traders’ Association of NSW safety frameworks.
- A lifetime guarantee on workmanship for as long as you own the vehicle. Paint and replacement parts are covered by their own manufacturer warranties.
Don’t leave hail damage too long
Small dents can look harmless, but cracked or chipped paint lets moisture reach the metal underneath, and that can lead to rust over time. Unrepaired damage can also make a car harder to sell. Check your policy for any time limits on lodging a claim, and get the car looked at while the damage is fresh.
Hail damage FAQs
Can every hail dent be fixed with paintless dent removal?
No. PDR works best on shallow, rounded dents where the paint hasn’t cracked. Sharp creases, dents on panel edges and damaged paint usually need panel repair and a respray.
Can I drive my car with hail damage?
Usually, if the only damage is dents. Don’t drive it if the windscreen is cracked in your line of sight or if lights or mirrors are broken. Get those fixed first.
Will a hail claim affect my no-claim bonus?
It depends on your insurer and your policy. Ask your insurer before you lodge the claim so you know where you stand.
Do I have to use my insurer’s repairer?
Not always. Some policies let you choose, others don’t. Check your policy or ask your insurer.
Hail damage on your car?
Send us a few photos for a free estimate, or call the team on (02) 9630 4699. We’re at 11 Bourke St, North Parramatta, open Monday to Friday 7am–3pm and Saturday 8–11am, and we look after drivers across Parramatta, Westmead, Northmead, North Rocks, Carlingford and Baulkham Hills.