Update: Hail damage keeps body shops busy
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — Cars are lining up at Dent Doctor in Little Rock. All victims of the recent storms.
Dent Doctor President, Tom Harris says his phone is ringing off the hook. He says,Theres quite a list. Theres a lot of cars damaged in the greater Little Rock area and across Arkansas.
Hail up to the size of baseballs pelted the state last Friday and Tuesday night.
Harris says the severity of the damage all depends on the size of the hail and how fast its falling. He says, Typically, hail needs to be about the size of a quarter or larger. One inch or larger to cause damage to the vehicle.
On the hood of ablackMercedes, small dents are visible. Harris says Dent Doctor technicians erase the damage using a paint-free technique. He explains, We have special tools, special training, and special lighting. With a combination of those 3 things we get under the dent, behind the dent and we gently apply pressure. We push the dent out without having to re-paint the panel.
However, a white Mercedes brought into the shop is so battered-that a body shop will have to replace the hood.
Paint-free dent repair is usually done in a day or two and storm-related claims to your insurance company will not raise your priemums.
Harris says if you have hail damage its best to report it to your insurance right a way and get an estimate.
Advice many car owners are taking.
Harris adds, In the last week and half weve seen close to 20 vehicles and weve got many more on the list for future repairs. Were adding to that everyday.
Harris says make sure to verify a dent repair shop is insurance-approved before taking your car in.
And be cautious of hail chasers that follow storms and set up temporary dent repair shops.