⛈️ Hail Damage from Mother’s Day 2024 in Killeen, TX – Should You Replace or Repair Your Panels?

If your vehicle was hammered by the massive hailstorm in Killeen and Harker Heights in May 2024, you might be wondering whether your hood, roof, or trunk needs to be replaced—or if it can be repaired with paintless dent repair (PDR).



When dealing with insurance claims for hail damage repair in Killeen, TX, it’s common for adjusters to write up estimates that call for panel replacements, especially on heavily dented hoods, roofs, and trunks. But does that mean you must get a new panel?

Not necessarily! Let’s break down how insurance companies approach hail repair, why they sometimes push for replacement over repair, and how we help customers preserve their factory paint whenever possible.

🚘 What Happens When You File a Hail Damage Insurance Claim?

If your car was caught in the 2024 Mother’s Day hailstorm in Killeen or Harker Heights, here’s what happens next:

1️⃣ You Contact Your Insurance Company – You report the hail damage and request an estimate.
2️⃣ An Adjuster Inspects Your Car – Depending on how busy they are, they might send someone out, ask you to visit a drive-thru hail estimate center (like Lowe’s in Temple, TX for Progressive customers), or refer you to a local shop.
3️⃣ They Create a Repair Estimate – The estimate will include paintless dent repair (PDR) pricing and conventional body shop repairs, depending on the severity of the damage.



🚨 Important Note: If an insurance adjuster writes that a panel should be replaced, that doesn’t mean it must be replaced—it just means they’ve determined it’s cheaper than fixing all the dents individually.?

🔍 Why Does Insurance Recommend Replacing Panels Instead of Repairing Them?

Insurance companies set a maximum price they’re willing to pay per panel for PDR hail repair. If the damage exceeds that threshold, they’ll default to replacing the panel instead.

✅ Common Panels Insurance Adjusters Recommend for Replacement

🔹 Hood – Most commonly replaced due to direct hail impact.
🔹 Trunk Lid – Also frequently written for replacement if damage is severe.
🔹 Roof – Can be replaced, but roofs are more complicated due to welding.

🔎 Example: Let’s say your hood has $1,500 worth of hail damage, but the insurance company will only pay $1,000 to replace and repaint it. If we fix it with PDR, we’d need to accept a $500 loss in labor costs to make it work within their budget.

💰 Can You Choose to Repair Instead of Replace?

Yes! Just because insurance writes a panel for replacement doesn’t mean you’re obligated to replace it.

Here’s How We Approach This Situation:

✔ If the panel can still be repaired with PDR, we try to keep the original factory paint.
✔ We accept the insurance payout (even if it’s lower than the actual repair cost) to keep your costs low.
✔ Everyone wins:

• You keep your factory paint (which maintains your car’s value).
• The insurance company pays out their max allowed amount.
• We still get paid to do the repair (rather than sending the work to a body shop).
• 

🚨 Most customers prefer to keep their factory paint rather than having a repainted panel, which can lower resale value!

At Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings, we specialize in expert hail repair in Killeen, TX, ensuring your car is restored without unnecessary repainting.

✅ Our Hail Repair Process:

1️⃣ FREE Damage Inspection – We evaluate your vehicle and check the insurance estimate.
2️⃣ Work Directly with Your Insurance – We handle all the paperwork and claim processing.
3️⃣ Expert Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) – We remove dents without repainting, preserving your car’s value.
4️⃣ Quality Control & Final Inspection – Ensuring every dent is 100% removed before returning your car.



🚨 Don’t wait too long to file your claim! Insurance companies set time limits for hail damage claims after a storm.

📅 Schedule Your Hail Repair in Killeen, TX Today!

If your vehicle was damaged by the Mother’s Day 2024 hailstorm, don’t wait! We are Killeen’s leading hail repair shop, and we specialize in preserving factory paint with expert PDR techniques.



📞 Call us today to book your hail damage repair appointment!

🚘 Get expert hail repair near Killeen, TX—only at Harker Heights Ceramic Coatings! 🛡️