Sometimes, hail happens unexpectedly. For example, you could be driving along peacefully when suddenly you hear a loud noise, and a few minutes later, your car is covered in minor dents and dings and may even have a few chipped windows.  

For many car owners who experience minor hail damage, it’s tempting to go on your way and act like it never happened. After all, why waste time and money getting repairs when you have a few minor dings?

However, ignoring auto hail damage can have severe consequences beyond your car’s aesthetic damage. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers of even mild car hail damage and what you should do when your car gets damaged.

The Danger of Untreated Dents 

Minor dents and chips in your car’s exterior can weaken its structure and make it more susceptible to future damage. 

This is especially true when multiple mild hail damage events are compounded, typically during hail season. For example, one set of minor dings may not do much, but when three more groups of dings are added on top, the car’s structure can become seriously weakened, leading to safety risks for you and your passengers. 

There’s also the chance of minor dings leading to erosion. When dings are left untreated, the metal of your car’s body panels gets exposed to the elements and starts rusting. 

This could eventually cause holes to form in your car’s body panels, which can allow water to seep in and cause damage to critical mechanical components. 

And the more rust and erosion there is, the more difficult it is to fix — a repair job that could’ve been accomplished with simple dent repair now requires replacing entire body panels.

Broken Windows

The next thing that’s more dangerous than car dents is broken windows. 

Unfortunately, even the slightest auto glass damage can be a severe safety hazard. Their structural integrity is compromised as soon as your windshield or windows are cracked or chipped, even just a little bit. 

This means they are more susceptible to further damage, particularly in car accidents or rollovers. In these cases, a small crack can quickly turn into shattered auto glass and put you at risk for serious injury. 

The windshield, in particular, is a considerable safety hazard, as it provides up to 45% of the structural integrity of your vehicle’s entire internal cabin. 

Additionally, auto glass damage can significantly impede your driving visibility and present a safety hazard.

Mitigate the Risks

To protect yourself from minor hail damage, the most important thing to do is to avoid damage in the first place. For example, having a protected, covered space to park your car and listening to weather reports before driving is two of the most practical things you can do.

However, if it’s already too late, the next best thing you should do is get an auto hail repair as soon as possible. Not only will this help you restore the safety and integrity of your car, but it may also save you money. 

Nipping damage in the bud before it spreads into more damage is an easy way to save on hail repairs, as there’s less damage to fix.

To get high-quality repairs, reputable research PDR or paintless dent repair shops near you specialize in hail repair. 

Conclusion

Don’t risk your safety by overlooking auto hail damage. Even minor dents and cracks can weaken your car’s structure, put you at risk for further damage, and endanger you in the event of a car accident. 

Get auto hail repaired as soon as possible to mitigate these risks and keep yourself safe on the road.