08/24/2026
Hello Dodge City and surrounding areas! With the recent hail that has fallen this month I have found that many people are misinformed about how insurance coverage works. Car owners are often unaware of their rights with regard to claims and face an onslaught of misinformation when navigating the process. My blog covers almost all your questions and answers, and I will include the link below. But to keep it short and sweet, here is one of the most common misunderstandings:
"Let me call or check with my insurance."
(Do you assume your insurance company works for you and always operates in your favor?)
Many of us do have awesome insurance agents who are there for us. They work hard to set us up with the appropriate coverage so our assets are protected. However, local agents are not the ones who handle your claim when an incident arises. Instead, you are directed to your carrier’s corporate claims department. They may send an adjuster to your home, conduct a virtual inspection over the phone, or ask you to send photos of the damage. All of this inspection happens under standard sunlight or garage lighting, which will never reflect the true damage a hailstorm causes. As a result, they write a cheap "initial" estimate. They do this in hopes that the payout satisfies you, or that you simply decide not to get the damage fixed. This initial amount almost never covers the true extent of the repairs needed to return your vehicle to pre-storm condition.
The Truth About "Approved" Body Shops
The claims department may direct you to an "approved" body shop for repairs under a Direct Repair Program (DRP). By law, however, they cannot demand that you use their shop. While that body shop may have great reviews and perform quality work, most are not equipped with Master Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) technicians who can handle the sheer volume of dents caused by a hailstorm. Consequently, they may resort to conventional body work unnecessarily. Additionally, because a preferred DRP shop is contracted with your insurance carrier, they are strictly required to collect your deductible. In most cases, the damage claim is automatically reported to Carfax through their integrated software. A preferred DRP shop cannot waive a deductible; doing so would violate their corporate contract.
The Independent PDR Advantage
When you contract with an independent PDR company like Performance Auto Hail Repair, our contract is with you, and we advocate directly on your behalf.
No Deductible Required: We do not need to collect a deductible from you. Specialized Inspections: We draft a professional supplemental estimate by capturing every single dent using specialized PDR lighting and photo/video documentation. This covers glass, OEM parts, paint, and expert PDR.
Full Accountability: We hold your insurance company responsible for ALL of the damage incurred during the hailstorm.
Zero Premium Penalties: We process every claim directly through your carrier's claims department and negotiate the full cost of the repair. Payment comes from the comprehensive portion of your policy. Because hail is classified as a "no-fault" event, it does not increase your individual premium.
We can start your claim from scratch or pick up right where you left off. While some insurance companies require the policyholder to file the initial claim, all carriers will contact you to verify the facts of the incident—including the time, place, absence of injuries, and a summary of the damage. Let us handle the stress and restore your vehicle the right way!
