06/17/2026
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.
