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Hailstorms relentlessly pummel everything in their paths, from trees to power lines to vehicles. If a hailstorm catches you while driving, you should take extra precautions to protect yourself and your car.
Prepare
Here's what you do if you drive into a hailstorm:
- Stay inside the vehicle. Hail can travel at highway speeds or higher -- the larger the hail, the faster it falls.
- Stop driving and pull to a safe place so hail doesn't break the windshield or any windows -- driving compounds hail's impact with your car. Stop under an overpass, and don't forget to pull out of traffic lanes and onto a shoulder. Avoid ditches due to possible high-rising water.
- Keep your car angled so the hail is hitting the front of your car. Windshields are reinforced to withstand forward driving and pelting objects. Side windows and backglass are not, so they're much more susceptible to breakage.
- Lie down, if possible, and keep your back to the windows. If you have a blanket, cover yourself with it to prevent possible debris from hitting you.
Repair
If your car becomes an unlucky victim of hail damage, you'll most likely need repair work done to remove the dimples left by the dents. Repair options include the conventional method done at a body shop or Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) -- a process involving specially molded metal tools that massage the underside of a damaged panel until the dent is removed -- which doesn't disturb your vehicle's factory finish and generally can be completed within a day.
Here's what you do if a hailstorm damages your vehicle:
- Call us immediately at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (1-800-776-4737) to report your claim at any time of the day or night.
- Discuss the damage with your claims representative to determine the best repair method. Generally, we'll arrange a convenient vehicle inspection to determine the amount of damage and how to proceed with repairs. When possible, we'll issue you a check on the spot, give you a copy of the estimate and notify you of the estimated length of repair time.
- Get your vehicle repaired. We can help you locate a preferred shop or PDR provider if PDR is recommended for your vehicle. Verify the shop that completes the repairs also guarantees its work. If you choose a recommended Progressive network repair shop or PDR provider, both Progressive and the shop will offer a limited lifetime guarantee.
- Ensure your vehicle is repaired to your satisfaction. Discuss any issues with the provider and check for any remaining dents before you accept your vehicle and take it home.
- Get a written guarantee and contact information from the shop before you leave.
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