A hail storm can leave dozens of dents across a roof, bonnet and boot in a few minutes. Capital SMART repairs hail damage on drivable vehicles, assessing every dent and restoring panels and paintwork.
Hail damage repairs for drivable vehicles
Hail damage is different from most accident damage: you’re dealing with many small, round dents across the roof, bonnet, boot lid and the tops of the guards. Larger hail can also crack paint, break mirror housings, damage trims and, in severe storms, break glass. Because the dents are shallow and numerous, careful assessment matters as much as panel work.
Light to moderate hail damage sits within our scope for drivable vehicles and is repaired with our usual dent repair, panel repair and refinishing processes. Hail damage can be repaired as an insurance claim through one of our partnered insurers (AAMI, GIO, Apia, Shannons Insurance, Vero, Bingle and Suncorp Car Insurance) or as a private repair if you’d rather not claim.
What hail damage repair involves
Roof, bonnet and boot dents
These panels take the most hits. Each dent is reshaped and checked under light before refinishing.
Dents with the paint intact
Shallow dents with intact paint may be reshaped without repainting where size, position and panel allow.
Hail that has cracked the paint
Dents with broken paint are repaired, primed and colour matched so the metal is protected.
Guards, doors and side panels
Wind-driven hail marks vertical panels too; dents are repaired and blended so panel lines match.
Mirrors, trims and bumpers
Cracked mirror caps, chipped trims and pitted bumper tops are repaired or replaced alongside panel work.
Heavily damaged panels
Panels with too many dents or stretched metal are replaced, painted to match before fitting.
How we repair hail damage
Assessment
Every dent is counted and assessed, noting size, depth, broken paint and any damaged mirrors, trims or lights. Private repairs start with photos via our online quote form.
Choosing the repair for each panel
Shallow dents with intact paint may be reshaped without repainting where panel and position allow; cracked-paint or body-line dents are repaired and refinished; heavily damaged panels are replaced.
Refinishing
Primed panels are colour matched to your vehicle and blended into adjacent panels so repairs don't stand out. Hail repairs often involve several panels, so colour consistency matters.
Quality check and collection
Each panel is checked under workshop lighting. We confirm an estimated timeframe once your vehicle has been assessed. Every repair is backed by our warranty on all repairs.
After a hail storm: what to do
Check whether the car is safe to drive
Dents alone don't affect safety, but broken glass, damaged mirrors or lights, and debris can. If the windscreen is cracked in your line of sight or a mirror is hanging off, sort that before you drive anywhere.
Photograph the damage
Take clear photos of each panel in good light, including close-ups of any cracked paint and damaged trims. They are useful for your insurer and are exactly what our online quote form asks for if you're paying privately.
Decide whether to claim
Comprehensive car insurance policies typically cover hail damage, but check your policy and excess. If the damage is light, or you'd rather not claim, request a free private quote and compare it with your excess. We currently only accept insurance repairs from our partnered insurers.
Don't wait for the marks to fade
Hail dents don't pop out on their own, and dents with cracked paint will start to corrode. After widespread storms, demand for repairs rises quickly, so lodging your claim or requesting your quote promptly helps you get booked in sooner.
Related repair services
Dent Repairs
Individual dents and dings in panels, doors and bumpers.
Panel Repairs
Panels repaired or replaced when hail damage is too extensive to reshape.
Paint and Refinishing
Colour matching and blending across roofs, bonnets and boots.
Mirror and Trim Repairs
Mirror housings and trims cracked by hail, repaired or replaced.
Insurance Repairs
How repairs work through our partnered insurers, from claim to collection.
All accident repair services
Explore the full range of accident repair services we offer for drivable vehicles.
Common questions about hail damage repairs
Can hail dents be repaired?
Yes. Each dent is assessed on its size, depth and whether the paint around it is intact. Shallow dents with unbroken paint may be reshaped without repainting where the panel allows; dents with cracked paint are repaired and refinished; heavily damaged panels are replaced.
Is hail damage covered by car insurance?
Comprehensive policies typically cover hail damage, subject to your excess, but every policy is different, so check yours. If you’re insured with one of our partnered insurers (AAMI, GIO, Apia, Shannons Insurance, Vero, Bingle and Suncorp Car Insurance), your insurer will book the assessment and repair with us once your claim is approved and your vehicle is referred to us.
Will hail dents need repainting?
Not always. If a dent is shallow and the paint hasn’t cracked, it may be possible to reshape the metal without repainting. Once the paint has broken, or a dent sits on a body line, the area needs refinishing. The right approach for each panel is decided at assessment.
How long does hail damage repair take?
It depends on how many panels are affected, whether any need replacing and parts availability. Light hail damage on a couple of panels is a much shorter job than a car with every horizontal panel marked. We confirm an estimated timeframe once your vehicle has been assessed.
Will my car be written off because of hail?
That decision sits with your insurer and depends on the cost of repair against the value of the vehicle. Most hail damage on drivable vehicles is repairable. If you’re unsure, an assessment will give you a clear picture of what the repair involves.
Can you repair hail damage if I'm not claiming on insurance?
Yes. Hail damage can be repaired as a private repair. Upload photos for a free quote, choose a convenient centre and time, and pay by credit or debit card before the work begins.
