The Dent Eraser

If your car just got hammered by hail around Greeley, here’s the playbook right after the storm passes:
Immediately after the storm

1. Check for safety before inspecting
○ Wait until the hail fully stops. Make sure there’s no flooding or downed power lines.
○ Watch for broken glass before touching door handles or getting in/out.

2. Document everything fast
○ Take photos/video from all angles: roof, hood, trunk, windshield, side panels.
○ Get close-ups of the worst dents and any cracked glass.
○ Note the date, time, and location — Greeley hail storms are well-documented, but timestamped proof helps insurance.

3. Cover broken windows
○ If glass is shattered, tape a trash bag or tarp over it to keep rain out.
○ Don’t run the defroster on a cracked windshield — the temp change can make it spread.

4. Check if it’s drivable
○ Minor dents = usually fine to drive.
○ Cracked windshield in your line of sight, broken mirrors, or busted lights = not safe/legal. Call for a tow.
Within 24-72 hours

5. Call your insurance ASAP
○ Hail falls under “comprehensive” coverage, not collision — so it usually won’t raise rates.
○ Most policies have a time limit to file, often 1 year, but earlier is better.
○ Ask if they have preferred body shops for Paintless Dent Repair (PDR). It’s faster and cheaper than traditional body work.

6. Get 2-3 repair estimates
○ PDR shops can often pop out hail dents without repainting if the paint isn’t cracked.
○ In CO, hail repair shops book up fast after big storms. Get on a list early.

7. Don’t fall for “storm chaser” scams
○ If someone shows up at your door offering to handle insurance for you, be careful. Use local, reputable shops with a physical address in Colorado.

Quick tip: If the damage is purely cosmetic and less than your deductible, you can choose not to claim. But get an estimate anyway — hail damage kills resale value if you don’t disclose it later.

Storm season is here.

5 Hail Storm Driving Safety Facts

1. Reduce speed and increase following distance
Hail makes roads slick like ice. Wet hail + pavement = major traction loss. Slow down gradually — no hard braking — and leave 3x more space than usual to avoid sliding into others.
2. Find cover ASAP, but don’t stop under overpasses
The instinct is to pull under a bridge, but that creates pileups and blocks traffic. It’s actually illegal in many states. Instead, aim for gas station awnings, parking garages, or even heavy tree cover if nothing else. If you must stop on the shoulder, pull completely off the road and angle your car so hail hits the windshield — it’s reinforced and less likely to shatter than side/rear glass.
3. Stay inside with your seatbelt on and lie down if it gets bad
Your car is your best protection. Glass can shatter inward. Angle your body away from windows, lie down across the seats, and cover yourself with a coat, blanket, or floor mats to shield from broken glass.
4. Keep your windshield wipers and lights on
Hail often comes with heavy rain that kills visibility in seconds. Low beams + wipers help you see and be seen. High beams will just reflect off the hail and make it worse.
5. Never leave your vehicle during the storm
People get hurt running for cover. Hailstones can be baseball-sized and fall at 100+ mph — enough to cause concussions or worse. You’re safer belted inside than exposed. Wait it out; most hail cores pass in 5-15 minutes. If you’re around Greeley, CO, you know spring/early summer hail can pop up fast. After the storm, check for dents and cracked glass before driving again. Insurance usually covers hail as “comprehensive” damage.
Stay safe out there — hail is no joke when you’re on the road.

Still driving around with that "souvenir" from the last Colorado hail storm? ⛈️🚗

At The Dent Eraser, we don't just "fix" dents—we erase them. With over 25 years of experience right here in Greeley, we use specialized Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) to repair your car back to factory-perfection without touching your original paint.

✅ Preserves factory finish
✅ Faster than traditional body shops
✅ Insurance claim assistance included

Don't let a ding dampen your ride. Stop by for a free estimate today!

📍 6380 W 10th St, Ste 4, Greeley, CO 80634

📞 (970) 673-8473

🌐 thedenteraser.com