Hail Damage Repair
St. Louis gets hit with severe hail storms every year, and when one rolls through, the damage it leaves behind on your vehicle can range from a handful of small dents to hundreds of impacts across every panel. If your car, truck, or SUV has been caught in a hail storm, STL Dent Co. is the go-to shop for hail damage repair in the greater St. Louis area.
​
Our team has over 30 years of combined experience repairing hail-damaged vehicles using paintless dent repair (PDR). Before opening our Kirkwood shop, we spent years traveling the country as hail chasers, repairing thousands of vehicles in the aftermath of major storms. That hands-on storm experience is something most local shops simply do not have, and it is what allows us to handle even the most severe hail damage with speed and precision.
​
What Does Hail Damage Look
Like?
Hail damage is not always obvious at first glance. Depending on the size of the hailstones and the angle of impact, the dents can be shallow and spread across large areas of your vehicle. Here is what to look for after a storm:
​
Small, round dents across flat panels. The hood, roof, and trunk lid are the most commonly affected areas because they face the sky directly during a storm. These dents are often nickel to quarter-sized and can number in the dozens or even hundreds.
​
Dents on the sides of the vehicle. Wind-driven hail hits doors, fenders, and quarter panels. These dents can be harder to spot because they are not on a flat surface, but they are still there.
​
Cracked or chipped paint. In cases where hailstones are large enough or hit at high velocity, the paint can crack or chip on impact. This is less common with modern automotive paint, but it does happen.
​
Damaged trim, mirrors, or moldings. Hail does not just hit metal. Plastic trim pieces, side mirrors, and windshield wipers can also sustain damage.
​
If you are not sure whether your vehicle has hail damage, bring it by our shop at 10456 Manchester Rd in Kirkwood, MO and we will inspect it for free. Hail dents are much easier to see under controlled lighting, and we know exactly what to look for.
How We Repair Hail Damage
We repair hail damage using paintless dent repair, the same technique we use for door dings, creases, and other minor body damage. PDR is the industry-standard method for hail repair because it removes the dents without affecting the factory paint.
​
Our technicians use specialized metal rods to access the backside of each damaged panel. From there, they apply precise pressure to push each dent out individually, restoring the panel to its original shape. For areas where backside access is limited, we use glue pulling techniques to lift the dents from the outside.
​
Hail damage repair requires patience and precision. A single vehicle can have hundreds of individual dents, and every one of them needs to be addressed. Our team's years of storm experience mean we work efficiently without cutting corners. The goal is always the same: restore your vehicle to the condition it was in before the storm hit.
​
If the hail damage on your vehicle is severe enough that paint has been cracked or panels are too stretched for PDR, we will let you know. In those cases, our sister location Briggs Auto Body can handle full collision repair and traditional bodywork. Either way, you are covered.
Filing a Hail Damage Insurance Claim in Missouri
Dealing with insurance after a hail storm can feel overwhelming, but we are here to walk you through every step. We are your advocate throughout the entire insurance process. We work for you, and so should your insurance company.
​
Here is exactly what to do after your vehicle gets hit by hail:
​
1. Call your insurance company and file a claim. Let them know your vehicle sustained hail damage and request a claim number. Hail damage is typically covered under your comprehensive insurance policy, not collision coverage.
​
2. Get your claim number. Your insurance company may direct you to a preferred shop or claims drive for an initial estimate. You are not required to use their recommended shop. In the state of Missouri, you have the right to choose your own repair facility.
​
3. Call STL Dent Co. and schedule your repair. Once you have your claim number, call us at (314)-809-3368 or book an appointment online. Drop your vehicle off and we take it from there.
​
4. We work directly with your insurance company. We handle all communication with your adjuster to make sure every dent is documented and covered. Our goal is to make sure your vehicle is repaired completely, back to its original factory condition, with no out-of-pocket surprises.
​
Many insurance companies will try to steer you toward their own preferred vendors or direct repair program (DRP) shops. These shops often operate under discounted contracts that can limit the quality of the repair. When you choose STL Dent Co., you are choosing a shop that works for you, not the insurance company.
​
Why Choose STL Dent Co. for Hail Damage Repair?
Storm-chasing experience. Before we opened our brick-and-mortar shop, our team spent years on the road as professional hail chasers, following storms across the country and repairing vehicles in high-volume environments. That real-world storm experience translates directly to faster, higher-quality repairs at our Kirkwood location.
​
Volume capacity. Hail storms create a surge of demand for repair work. Because our team has spent years working in post-storm environments, we are built to handle that volume without sacrificing quality or turnaround time.
​
Insurance expertise. We have worked with every major insurance provider and know exactly how the claims process works. We will make sure your claim is documented properly and that nothing gets missed.
​
Factory-condition results. We do not just make hail damage look better. We hold ourselves to a standard that eliminates any visible sign of damage. When we hand your vehicle back, the goal is for it to look like the storm never happened.
​
Full-service support. If your vehicle also needs windshield replacement, paint touch-up, interior repair, or any other reconditioning service, we handle that too. Check out our full list of services on the STL Dent Co. services page.
​
Want to see what other customers have to say about their experience? Visit our reviews page.
​
Frequently Asked Questions About Hail Damage Repair
Does insurance cover hail damage repair?
Yes. Hail damage is typically covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. You will be responsible for your deductible, and your insurance company covers the rest. Comprehensive claims generally do not raise your premium the way a collision claim might, since hail is considered an act of nature.
How long does hail damage repair take?
It depends on the severity of the damage. A vehicle with light hail damage (a few dozen small dents) might be completed in one to two days. A vehicle with heavy hail damage (hundreds of dents across every panel) can take several days to a week or more. We will give you an estimated timeline when you drop your vehicle off.
Should I get my hail damage repaired right away?
Yes, the sooner the better. Unrepaired hail damage can lead to paint deterioration over time, especially if the clear coat has been compromised. It also lowers your vehicle's resale value significantly. Filing your insurance claim promptly also helps avoid any complications with the claims process.
Can STL Dent Co. repair severe hail damage?
We can repair the vast majority of hail damage using PDR. In rare cases where hailstones are large enough to crack paint or severely stretch panels, traditional body and paint methods may be needed. If that is the case, we will refer you to our sister shop Briggs Auto Body for full collision repair. We will always give you an honest assessment of what your vehicle needs.
Do I have to use the shop my insurance company recommends?
No. In Missouri, you have the legal right to choose any repair facility you want. Your insurance company may recommend a preferred shop, but you are under no obligation to use it. Many preferred shops operate under contracts with the insurance company that can limit the scope or quality of the repair. When you choose STL Dent Co., we work for you.
Will hail damage repair affect my vehicle's paint?
No. Paintless dent repair preserves your factory paint completely. There is no sanding, filler, or repainting involved. Your vehicle's original finish stays intact, which also protects its resale value and keeps your vehicle history clean.
What if I also have a cracked windshield from the hail storm?
We offer windshield repair as part of our full suite of reconditioning services. If your windshield was damaged in the same storm, let us know when you schedule your appointment and we can address everything at once.
​
Get Your Hail Damage Repaired Today
If your vehicle was caught in a hail storm, do not wait. Contact STL Dent Co. today for a free inspection and estimate. Call us at (314)-809-3368, book an appointment online, or stop by our shop at 10456 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood, MO 63122. We are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. Let our team of hail repair experts get your vehicle back to factory condition.
