Hailstorm Results in Damages Across Southeast Neb.

Sunday evening’s hailstorm in southeast Nebraska reportedly caused widespread damage to cars.

For vehicles damaged, there are six steps car owners should take to restore their vehicle to its pre-accident condition, according to The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.

“We know how important it is to get you and your vehicle back on the road quickly – that’s what our 24/7, in-person claims service is all about. Understanding your repair options can help you save time and money,” said Scott Snapp, catastrophe response director, Progressive.

Progressive has deployed additional Catastrophe Response Team representatives to handle the expected volume of related claims and will continue to monitor the need to allocate additional resources to ensure that its customers are properly serviced in a timely manner. The company has set up drive-in claims centers in the Omaha and Lincoln areas and is encouraging its customers who suffered hail damage to call 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737) as soon as possible.

If one’s vehicle is damaged in a hailstorm, Progressive recommends they take the following steps:

1. Call the insurance company immediately to report the damage.

2. Discuss repairs with one’s insurance company and a body shop. Hail damage to sheet metal may need to be hammered and
painted. However, trained technicians may recommend paintless
dent removal (PDR), which involves using specially-molded
metal tools on the underside of a damaged part that won’t
disturb the factory finish. This method is often utilized by
manufacturers and dealers to repair new vehicles and will not
invalidate paint warranties.

PDR cannot be performed if the dents are too large, if there
are too many dents or if the paint finish is damaged. Prior
body damage that required plastic fillers or bonding may also
make PDR difficult. One’s insurance company will be able to
determine the severity of the damage and consult with individuals and
the body shop on which repair method makes the most sense for
the vehicle.

3. Find a reputable facility. Save time and money by asking one’s
insurance company if it has a preferred PDR provider. If choosing a repair shop on one’s own, contact the Better Business
Bureau or get referrals from friends. Ask the shop how PDR
works and how they access hard to reach places to make the
repair. The preferred method is to pull the dents from the
outside rather than drilling holes to access the dent from
beneath the panel.

4. Find out how long the repair will take. Paintless dent repair
is an efficient and effective technique for repairing damage
to one’s vehicle, and may be completed within a day. However,
in southeast Nebraska, lots of cars were damaged, so the work
may take a little longer due to the volume of vehicles that
need to be repaired.

5. Make sure the vehicle is repaired to one’s satisfaction.
Before accepting the vehicle, look at the surface in
fluorescent lighting and from several angles so that one can
see all the details. Check for any remaining dents before taking
the vehicle home.

6. Ask if the shop guarantees its work. If noticing a flaw in
the vehicle’s repair, one should be able to have it fixed at
no additional charge. Know how one’s body shop will handle any
problems an individual might have with their vehicle after the repair.
Get guarantee and contact information in writing. Ask one’s
insurance company if it guarantees the work of its preferred
body shops.