The first 24–72 hours after a hailstorm matter more than most drivers realize. The choices you make in that window — what you photograph, what you report, who you call, what you sign — affect the outcome of the entire claim and repair process.
This is the emergency action plan. What to do, in what order, and what NOT to do. Save this guide somewhere you can find it next time the sky turns green.
The team at Caropractors in Edmonton handles hundreds of hail-damaged vehicles every season. The patterns below come from seeing what works and what causes problems downstream.
What NOT to Do First
Before the action plan, the things that consistently cause regret:
Don’t Drive in the Active Storm
If the hail is still falling, stay where you are. Driving into a hailstorm:
- Adds windshield, mirror, and panel damage
- Risks visibility issues
- Can lead to collisions with other vehicles taking shelter
If you’re caught driving when hail starts, pull under cover (gas station canopy, parking garage, dense tree, even a tarp from your trunk if necessary). Stop driving until it passes.
Don’t Try to Push Out the Dents Yourself
The internet is full of DIY dent removal tricks: hot water, dry ice, plungers, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners. None of these work reliably on real hail damage, and most of them risk damaging the paint:
- Hot water can crack older clear coat
- Dry ice can cause thermal stress lines visible later
- Plungers rarely have enough force on hail dents and can damage paint with the rubber
- Vacuum cleaner methods require seal that’s hard to achieve on curved panels
DIY attempts can also reduce the eventual repair payout if the panel needs more extensive work. Leave it to a PDR specialist.
Don’t Accept the First Cash Offer
Some insurers offer a quick cash settlement based on initial photos. The settlement is often lower than full repair cost. If you accept and later find the repair costs more, you typically can’t reopen the claim.
Get a repair shop estimate before accepting any cash. The shop’s number is your leverage.
Don’t Authorize Body Shop Repair Without a PDR Estimate
If a body shop quotes refinishing on hail damage with intact paint, you’re paying for unnecessary work and losing factory finish. Get a PDR specialist’s estimate first. PDR is almost always the right tool for hail damage. (Our PDR vs body shop guide explains the decision.)
Don’t Sign Anything in the Parking Lot
Storm chasers sometimes appear at parking lots, hotels, or apartment buildings after major storms. They offer “free inspections” and try to get you to sign work authorization on the spot. Common scams:
- “We’ll waive your deductible” — illegal in many provinces and US states
- “Free repair if we can use your insurance” — fraud setup
- Pressure to decide today
If a stranger approaches you about hail repair, say no. Reputable shops don’t operate this way.
The 24–72 Hour Action Plan
In rough order:
Hour 0–1: Wait for Safety
Wait for the storm to pass. Confirm:
- The vehicle is in a safe location
- It’s drivable (no broken glass blocking visibility, no major mechanical damage)
- No one is injured
If any glass is broken, cover the openings with tape and plastic before driving. If mechanical damage seems possible (suspension, frame, sensors), don’t drive until it’s been checked.
Hour 1–4: Document Everything
This is the most important step.
Photos:
- Wide shots of all four sides
- Close-ups of every panel showing the dent pattern
- Roof and hood from above (climb safely if possible)
- Any glass, mirror, or trim damage
- License plate visible in at least one shot
Video:
- Slow walk-around narrating the date, time, and location
- Any visible interior damage (water through broken windows, leak signs)
Additional documentation:
- Phone-camera timestamps (most embed time and GPS in metadata; keep originals)
- Photos of the storm itself if you have them
- Photos of accumulated hail near the vehicle (size reference helps establish severity)
Don’t wash the vehicle. Wet panels actually show hail damage more clearly because water enhances reflection.
Hour 4–24: Note Storm Details and Check Your Policy
Storm details to record:
- Date and time of the storm
- Your location during the storm (parked at home, work, store, etc.)
- Storm size if reported (¾”, 1″, 1.5″+)
- Local news coverage or weather service confirmation (screenshot it)
Insurers cross-reference NOAA, Environment Canada, or local weather service hail reports. Having storm details pinned down speeds the claim
Policy check:
- Confirm comprehensive coverage is active
- Note your deductible
- Note the claim filing deadline (typically 30–365 days)
- Look for “preferred shop” language vs full shop choice
(For more on the claim process, see our hail damage insurance claim guide.)
Hour 24–72: File the Claim
Contact your insurer:
- By phone, online, or through your agent
- Provide storm details, photos, and basic vehicle info
- Note the claim number and assigned adjuster
Don’t accept any settlement offer at this stage. Tell the insurer you need to get a repair estimate before agreeing to anything.
Day 1–3: Get a PDR Estimate
Contact a PDR specialist for an estimate. Most reputable shops offer free estimates from photos.
For Edmonton-area drivers, Caropractors provides photo estimates within hours. Send the photos you took, get a written quote, use that quote in dealing with your insurer.
Day 3–7: Insurance Appraisal
Your insurer will arrange an appraisal — at one of their drive-in centers, at your home, or at a body shop they direct you to.
Important:
- Be present if possible — you can ask questions and confirm what they see
- Get a copy of the estimate — it’s your right
- Compare to your PDR estimate — if there’s a gap, your shop will submit a supplement
Day 7–14: Repair Decision
With both estimates in hand, choose your repair shop. Remember: in most provinces (including Alberta) and US states, you have the right to choose. The insurer cannot require you to use a specific shop.
Choose based on:
- PDR specialization
- Years of experience
- Portfolio of similar work
- Written warranty
- Insurance handling capability
(Our companion guide on how to find a good PDR shop covers the full evaluation.)
What to Cover Against More Weather
If more weather is forecast in the coming days, take steps to prevent additional damage:
Garage if Available
The simplest protection. If you have a garage, use it for the next several days regardless of forecast.
Hail Cover
Padded car covers designed for hail provide meaningful protection. Quality matters — cheap covers don’t absorb impact effectively. Expect to pay $200–$400 for a hail-rated cover.
Tarp Layering
In a pinch, layered moving blankets, foam mats, or thick tarps can reduce hail impact. This isn’t ideal — covers can flap in wind and scratch paint — but it’s better than nothing.
Indoor Parking
Public parking garages, dealer service bays, or storage facilities can provide overnight shelter. Some insurers will pay for temporary covered parking after a hail event.
Drivability Check Before Going Anywhere
Before driving the vehicle anywhere after a hail event:
- Windshield — any cracks that could spread? Wiper function intact?
- Mirrors — secure and functional?
- Lights — headlights, taillights, signals all working?
- Sunroof or moonroof — leaks? cracks?
- Tires — any large hail can crack tire sidewalls; check for damage
- Sensors — does the dashboard show any new error codes?
If any of these is concerning, drive to the nearest service center, not all the way to your insurer’s drive-in. Some hail events damage sensors, cameras, or ADAS components that aren’t visible until diagnostic check.
Documentation Drift
A common mistake: drivers take great photos in the first hour, then forget about documentation for days. By the time they file the claim, they’re missing details.
Three things to do every day for the first week:
- Re-photograph the vehicle — sometimes hidden damage emerges as the panels relax over a few days
- Track any new symptoms — leaks, electrical issues, sensor errors
- Save all communication — emails, voicemails, screenshots of insurer chat sessions
This documentation supports any supplements the repair shop submits.
The “Should I File at All?” Question
Some drivers wonder whether to file a claim at all. The math:
- Damage above deductible by significant margin? File.
- Damage marginal vs deductible? Get a PDR estimate; if you’re keeping the car, often still worth filing.
- Damage below deductible? Don’t file (no benefit, but get a PDR estimate to confirm cost).
For most hail damage, filing is the right call. Comprehensive claims usually don’t raise rates (more on this in our post on insurance and hail claims). The cost of not filing — paint deterioration, rust, resale loss — is typically much higher than the rate impact.
What If You Were Driving During the Storm?
If your vehicle was struck while moving (not parked), the documentation gets more complex:
- Damage may be on a single side rather than top-down
- Possible coincidental events — debris from other vehicles, road impacts during evasive maneuvers
- Witness statements if available
- Police report if any collision-like event happened during the storm
Most insurers handle moving-vehicle hail damage as a comprehensive claim regardless. The documentation just needs to be more thorough.
Common Post-Storm Mistakes
A summary of what we see go wrong most often:
- Waiting too long to file — claim window expires
- Accepting first cash offer — undervalued repair
- Letting insurer pick the shop — you have choice
- Skipping the PDR estimate — overpaying for unnecessary refinishing
- DIY dent removal attempts — paint damage that worsens the problem
- Signing anything in the parking lot — fraud and quality risks
- Forgetting to document supplemental damage — claim closed before all damage discovered
- Choosing storm chasers — disappear when warranty issues arise
Avoid these and your hail repair process will be straightforward.
Get a Same-Day Estimate
If your vehicle was hit by hail recently and you need an estimate fast, Caropractors provides photo estimates within hours. Send clear photos of all affected panels and we’ll quote the repair, advise on insurance approach, and walk you through next steps.
Visit 7320 Yellowhead Trail NW, Edmonton or call (780) 996-9035. We serve Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, and Spruce Grove, and handle insurance claims directly.
For protection against future storms, see our existing post on how to protect your car from hail and storm damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do after a hail storm damages your car?
Wait for the storm to pass, confirm the car is safe and drivable, then document everything with photos and video before doing anything else. Record the storm date, time, and location, check that your comprehensive coverage is active, and file the claim within 24-72 hours. Get a PDR estimate before accepting any settlement from your insurer.
Should I wash my car before documenting hail damage for insurance?
No – don’t wash the vehicle. Wet panels actually show hail damage more clearly because water enhances reflection. Focus instead on photographing all four sides, close-ups of every dented panel, the roof and hood from above, and any glass or trim damage, with your license plate visible in at least one shot. Keep the original files so the timestamps and GPS data in the photo metadata stay intact.
Do DIY hail dent removal tricks like hot water or a plunger actually work?
No – none of the popular DIY methods work reliably on real hail damage, and most risk harming the paint. Hot water can crack older clear coat, dry ice can cause thermal stress lines, plungers rarely have enough force and can damage paint, and vacuum methods can’t get a proper seal on curved panels. DIY attempts can also reduce your eventual repair payout if the panel ends up needing more extensive work. Leave it to a PDR specialist.
Are the hail repair people who show up in parking lots after a storm legit?
Treat them as a red flag. Storm chasers appear at parking lots, hotels, and apartment buildings after major storms, offering free inspections and pressuring you to sign work authorization on the spot. Common scams include offers to waive your deductible – illegal in many provinces and US states – and free repair through your insurance, which is a fraud setup. Reputable shops don’t operate this way, so say no and choose your own repairer.
Can my insurance company force me to use their repair shop for hail damage?
No. In most provinces, including Alberta, and US states, you have the right to choose your repair shop – the insurer cannot require you to use a specific one. Compare the insurer’s appraisal against your own PDR estimate, and pick a shop based on PDR specialization, years of experience, portfolio, written warranty, and insurance handling capability. If there’s a gap between the two estimates, your shop will submit a supplement.