When your car gets damaged by a hail storm, there are many things that go through your mind. You may be wondering how hail damage is assessed on a car, where you should bring it in for repairs, and most importantly, how much the repairs will cost.
The cost of hail damage repairs can fluctuate depending on the extent of the damage, the repair methods required to fix it, and several other factors. In general, a hail damage repair can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for a few quick dents, or as much as several thousand dollars for more extreme damage.
Keep reading to learn a breakdown of the four most important factors that influence the cost of auto hail damage repair.
#1. Paintless Dent Repair
Paintless dent repair, or PDR, is one of the most common repair methods for hail damage. It involves using special tools to push the hail dents out from the inside of your car’s body panels. This is a fairly quick and easy repair that can often be done in an hour or two.
In general, PDR can cost anywhere from $35 to $200 per dent and is priced according to something called a PDR pricing matrix. The overall cost of your repair depends on the number, size, and location of the dents. It may also depend on the material your car is made out of, and, of course, the specific shop you go to.
#2. Remove and Install Costs (R&I)
PDR usually (but not always) requires removing a panel from your car and then reinstalling it after the dents are taken out. When this has to be done, the inspection to assess what parts need to be removed as well as the costs associated with conducting the removal and installation will be charged under “remove and install” or “R&I” on your auto repair estimate.
The cost of R&I can vary depending on the damage your car has and may be charged differently depending on the auto shop. Generally, this fee is charged separately from your regular dent repair quote, and can range from $50 to a few hundred dollars.
#3. Part Replacements
When certain parts of your car are so damaged they become more costly to fix than to replace, your hail damage repair estimate will include the cost of part replacements. This will usually show up on your estimate as “R&R” or “remove and replace”.
The cost of replacing parts will depend on how easy it is to get replacement parts and what the going rate for those parts is. Expensive or rare cars that need specialized parts will generally have more expensive replacement costs than more affordable cars.
The cost will also depend on whether original manufacturer parts or aftermarket parts are appropriate or available. Aftermarket parts are considerably cheaper, and most dealerships will default to using them unless it seriously compromises the look or safety of your car.
#4. Sales Tax
The final cost of your hail damage repair will include sales tax. The amount of sales tax charged on auto hail repairs will usually be consistent with the regular sales tax charged on other transactions for your state.
Some states like California and Indiana have a high sales tax, with rates topping six or seven percent. Other states, like Oregon and Delaware, have no sales tax at all.
Some states may also have special rules regarding sales tax for auto repair. For example, Texas doesn’t impose a tax on repair costs but does impose a tax on parts.
Conclusion
There are a lot of different factors that go into determining the total cost of auto hail repair, and these are just four of the biggest ones.
If you want a better idea of how much repairs will cost for your specific damages, check out this car hail damage repair cost calculator.