What do dealerships do with hail damaged cars?

Originally Answered: What do car dealerships do when it hails? They file claims with the insurance company that insures the inventory. They will then have a paintless dent removal company come out and set up a tent. They will repair any vehicles that can be reasonably repaired.

What happens to dealerships when it hails?

Unfortunately for auto dealers, the hail storm caused significant disruption and damage to many new and used vehicles available for sale. In come the flashy sales and promising discounts on vehicles that have ‘light’ hail damage, as they say anyway.

Are hail damaged cars worth buying?

Cars damaged from hailstorms are tempting to buy, as they often come with deep discounts. Plus, hail damage tends to be superficial, affecting only the body panels and glass, leaving the vehicle’s key functions intact. If you just need a way to get to work every day, a dimpled roof, trunk and hood may not matter.

Can hail damaged cars be insured?

A Comprehensive Car Insurance policy may provide cover for hail damage; however, it typically covers future damage only. You will be unable to make claims on your insurance policy for existing hail damage.

Can hail damaged cars be fixed?

Two Main Types of Car Hail Damage S.M.A.R.T repairs use Small, Medium Area Repair Technology, which focus on fixing and painting the hail dented area, to avoid having to respray the entire hail damaged car part. Alternatively if no painting is required then paintless dent removal (PDR) can be used.

Can hail damage total a car?

Your car can be totaled by hail damage. If the damage is extensive and worth more than your vehicle’s current value it may not be worth fixing. An insurance adjuster will verify whether or not your vehicle receives repairs.

What happens to all the flood-damaged cars?

Once a flood car is totaled, it’s supposed to get a new title, called a salvage title. Totaled cars are typically sold at a salvage auction to junkyards and vehicle rebuilders. Reselling them to consumers may be legal if the flood damage is disclosed on the title.

Are flood-damaged cars worth buying?

So, are flood-damaged cars worth buying? Probably not unless you are getting a really good deal. Therefore, any car that’s been submerged in water should be sold way below its market value unless the dealership has proof of extensive restoration.

What is the warranty on a new car with hail damage?

A car with hail damage may not come with the standard factory warranty as other new cars do. Ask the dealer what the warranty will be on your new car. In my wife’s case, there was no standard manufacturer warranty, but the dealership gave her their own warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles, which was the equivalent of the manufacturer’s warranty.

What happened to the car dealerships after the 2008 hail storm?

Back in 2008, a large storm with baseball-sized hail hit my hometown, and a couple of car dealerships on the West side of town got the very worst of it. Their entire inventory was severely damaged with huge dents in all their cars. The dealerships had no choice but to offer big discounts on their cars, and my wife pounced on the deal.

What happens to the cars once they arrive at the dealership?

If the issues are minor, the cars can be pulled off to the side and repaired once they arrive at port and then sent along to the dealer. After reaching the dealer lot, there are opportunities for the cars to be damaged from being moved around the lot or from other cars that are driven around them.

Do new cars get repaired on the dealership lot?

Buying a brand new car is an exciting experience. Most buyers go in with the expectation that the car is fresh off the factory line, but that may not always be the case. New cars can get damaged in transit or on the dealer lot, and in many cases the dealer is not required to tell you if any repairs have been completed.