If you’re one of the many unfortunate people who have had their car damaged by hail, you’re probably wondering what to do first. Sometimes you forget to bring your car to the garage —other times, the hall catches you off guard while driving. No matter how it happens, car hail damage is no joke and can be very costly to repair.

While you might think to take your car to the nearest body shop immediately, there are a few things you should do first to assess the damage and ensure you’re getting the most out of your insurance claim.

This guide will take you through the three most important things you should do right after your car takes hail damage.

#1: Document the Damage

You’ll first want to take pictures or videos of the hail damage from different angles. Be sure to document any and all dents, no matter how small. A visual record of the hail damage is important because it will be useful when making an insurance claim.

You should also make note of the date and time the hail damage occurred, as well as the location. This will help create a timeline of events in case you need to reference it later.

If possible, try to find shelter for your car before the hail storm worsens. Stay in your car until the hail has subsided if you can’t find any shelter.

#2: Call an Expert

After you’ve taken the necessary pictures and videos, your next step should be to call an expert. Hail damage can sometimes be difficult to assess, and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you might miss damage that your insurance company will hold you responsible for.

The best way to know for sure is to have a professional look at your car. They’ll be able to give you an accurate estimate of the hail damage car repair cost and what needs to be done to fix your car.

Finding the right expert can be tricky, but you can start by googling “car repair Lakewood” or whichever city you live in. Once you’ve found a few, call them and ask if they offer free hail damage inspections.

If they do, take your car in and get an estimate. If they don’t offer free hail damage inspections, you can still take your car in, but you might have to pay for the inspection.

#3: Make a Claim for the Hail Damage That Has Been Done to Your Car

After you have the expert’s opinion on the hail damage car repair cost, it’s time to make a claim with your insurance company.

Call your insurance agent to inform them that your car has been damaged in a hail storm. They’ll ask you some questions about the incident, like where it happened, and then they’ll start the claims process.

Honesty is one of the most important things to remember when making an insurance claim. If you try to hide any damage or lie about what happened, your insurance company could deny your claim or cancel your policy altogether.

Once you’ve filed your claim, an insurance adjuster will likely come out to inspect the hail damage. After the inspection, the insurance adjuster will give you a report with their findings. If you agree with their assessment, you’ll have to sign it and send it back.

Remember, many hail repair shops will work with your insurance company on your behalf so that you don’t have to. This can make the entire hail damage car repair process easier for you.

That’s it! These are the three most important things you should do after your car is hit by hail. By following these steps, you’ll be well on getting your car repaired and back on the road in no time.