Hail Repair Guide: What the Hail Do I Do Now?

If the recent hailstorm left you staring at a dented hood and wondering where to even start, you are not alone. Thousands of drivers across Kansas are asking the exact same questions right now. They also want to know about insurance claims, repair timelines, trade-in options, or even where they can find a new Subaru nearby.

Salina Subaru is here to cut through the confusion with straight answers and real options, so you can move forward with confidence instead of guesswork. You can choose our Subaru dealer in Salina for hail car repairs or for buying a new, un-dented Subaru in KS.

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Step-by-Step: What to Do After Hail Damage

Step 1: Document Everything Before You Touch It

Before you drive the vehicle, move it to a covered area or attempt any repairs, take photos and video of all the damage from multiple angles. Include close-up shots of each dent, any cracked glass and any paint damage. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim and can directly impact the payout you receive.

Step 2: File Your Insurance Claim Promptly

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to open a hail damage claim. Most comprehensive auto policies cover hail damage, but timing matters because the sooner you file, the sooner the process moves. Your insurer will assign an adjuster to assess the vehicle and determine a damage estimate.

A few things to keep in mind during this step:

You have the right to get your own independent repair estimate
You are not obligated to use the shop your insurer recommends
If you disagree with the adjuster's assessment, you can request a re-inspection
Supplement claims are common when initial estimates miss hidden damage

Step 3: Understand Your Three Main Options

Once your claim is underway, you will generally have three paths forward. Knowing which one fits your situation can save you a lot of time and stress.

Option 1

Repair Your Vehicle

If the damage is moderate and your vehicle is otherwise in good shape, paintless dent repair (PDR) is often a fast and cost-effective solution. PDR works well on dings and dents without broken paint or glass damage. Your insurer will typically cover this minus your deductible.

Option 2

Total Loss

If the repair cost exceeds a certain percentage of your vehicle's actual cash value (ACV) -- usually 70-80% depending on the current Kansas guidelines -- your insurer may declare it a total loss. In that case, you'll receive a settlement check rather than a repair, and you'll need to make a decision about what to do next with those funds.

Option 3

Trade In and Move On

Even if your vehicle isn't totaled, hail damage can significantly affect its resale value. Many drivers find that trading in now while unaffected inventory options are still available makes more financial sense than riding out a lengthy repair timeline. We can help you assess your trade-in value and put it toward a clean replacement vehicle right away.

Look for the Smiley Face: It Means Zero Hail Damage

Here's something important to know right now: not all inventory on the market is clean. A large portion of vehicles across the region sustained hail damage in the storm and will be going through the hail repair process. That's just the reality of the market right now.

At Salina Subaru, we are completely upfront about that. Any vehicle on our lot that has been verified as hail-damage free is marked with a smiley face on the window, on the lot and in our advertising. If it has a smiley face, it is a 100% clean, no-hail vehicle. No surprises, no hidden damage, no repair process ahead of you.

We also have access to over 600 vehicles across our Midway Motors group and are actively sourcing and purchasing additional no-hail inventory every week. The demand for clean vehicles is already climbing, and options will get tighter the longer you wait. If you want to get ahead of the rush, now is the time.

Browse our available new Subaru inventory and look for the smiley face designation to find your clean replacement vehicle today.