Hail storms can be frightening and they can be damaging to your car. The extent of the damage will be determined by how large the hail is, how exposed your car is and how long it is exposed to the hail. If your car has been damaged by hail, the first thing to remember is that the damage isn’t permanent – it can be fixed.

If you’re in that small minority that has some experience with body work, you’re probably already well acquainted with how to remove dings and dents. The rest of us, on the other hand, will likely need to seek professional help to repair the damage.

First, realize that hail damage isn’t as much a technical problem as it is an administrative one. The first step is to adequately assess the damage. You’ll need plenty of light, as the damage may not be visible without the right light.

Once you have an idea of the extent of the damage, go get an estimate from a body shop. A good shop will be glad to give you an estimate. Now, compare the estimate to the deductible on your insurance if it covers hail damage. If the estimate is less, pay the repair out of pocket or, if the damage isn’t severe, do nothing. On the other hand, if the damage is severe or the deductible is less than the estimate, it may be time to file a claim.

If this is the case, it’s time to contact the insurance company that has underwritten your policy. You’ll need to make an appointment with an adjuster to assess the damage. This is where the private estimate you have will serve you well. Be sure to be present when the agent goes over the car. Compare his report to yours and offer him the one you’ve already got. Agents can make mistakes, so be professional but firm.

Once the value of the claim is established, you need to see what your options are. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have to do what the insurance company says. Ask questions. They will have their preferred shops, but they may also give you the option to pay a flat fee so that you go to whatever shop you choose. Know what options are available before you commit to any repair shop.

You can also try to negotiate the way the payments will be handled. Some companies will ask you to pick up the payment, while others will want to pay the repair facility directly. While this is the simplest option for you – the policy holder – it may be the most expensive. On the other hand, there are cases where the repair must be paid for by the policy holder before you’ll be reimbursed for the cost of the repair. This can be a long, drawn out process, but the savings can easily be in the hundreds of dollars.

Once you’ve had the repair done, check the repairs against the original estimate. In addition, check to be sure that all that was damaged was properly repaired.

While this may seem like a rather involved process, you can use the system to your advantage. By doing so, you’ll be able to not only get the damage repaired – you might save yourself a quite a bit of change in the process.