HAIL DAMAGE!!!

If your insurance covers for "comprehensive", which in my understading covers all weather related stuff, you should get authentic stuff.

Sorry to hear about your baby.

 

awww, that sucks!

first priority: they have to know how to work on a prius. make sure they've got experience. second priority: recommendations and general reputation in the community.

we took our car to the local body shop where the dealership used to outsource their work. they have lots of experience with prius and a good reputation for quality and standing behind their work. the dealer's new body shop had a 4-month backlog and we have yet to see many examples of their work.

like toyota service shops, your experience depends on who runs the place and who's working there.

your car is pretty new... push for all OEM. if you've got comprehensive insurance that will pay minus whatever your deductible is. good luck!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Aug 27 2007, 01:58 PM) [snapback]502791[/snapback]</div>

Holy crap! Given the 2 choices, I would choose the Toyota glass. How much is it going to cost to get all those dents out?

 

You should look into what you would get on a trade on a new one. With insurance you might come out OK if you shop around.

 

OEM.

Man, that sucks. I am so glad I have a garage. Not like we get hail like that in San Diego.

Is there no choice but to park on the street? Is there no kind of cover that can protect a car on the street? Something that is firm enough just on the top side to protect glass, hood and roof? Seems like there's a market for something like that. Even the Sunshade roll up stuff seems like it would offer some protection if it was rolled out over the top of the car.

 

Hail Caesar!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Aug 28 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]503271[/snapback]</div>

I lived in Colorado Springs for four years. While there, I noticed that most hail storms occur during the day. If you are driving, you head for the nearest overpass, covered gas station, or car wash. If you are are work, well, not many companies offer parking garages or covered parking. Car covers are likely to get ripped off by the winds. (Our office sent around a memo reminding us to use the parking brake on our cars as the Chinook winds could push your car out of a parking space.)

The damage to the OP's Prius isn't too bad, compared to some I have seen. A co-worker had a two-day old Acura that had to be totaled after a hail storm. It looked like someone had attacked the car with a ball peen hammer. That storm also broke out the skylights in a local mall. The mall also had to use earth graders to remove the hail stones from the parking lot.

Lynn

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Aug 28 2007, 08:54 PM) [snapback]503529[/snapback]</div>

Based on my experience with having replaced two Toyota windshields due to stone damage, I no longer insist on Toyota OEM windshields.. Reason.. Toyota original windshields are great, but Toyota and most other manufacturers route their production "seconds" with minor defects into the supply chain as replacement windshields.. I was told this by a reputable local windshield replacement business and my personal experience confirms it..

The Toyota OEM windshield (that I insisted on) for my '85 Cressida some years ago, had a blemish on the passenger side. It looked as if the inner plastic sheet separating the laminated glass had been touched by something and marked it before it was put into the windshield..

A non Toyota windshield replaced by SafeLite (and made in Safelites own factory here in North Carolina) was flawless.. Every thing was perfect, no distortion, tint matched, black masking around permeter of the windshield perfect.. The guy who did the work (at my home) did a very nice job.. got to watch the whole process... Very pleased with it......

If I were you, I would talk direct to some of the non OEM people like Safelite if they are in your area and see if that have the HESA glass and whether their glass matches in all respects.. I imagine there could be a lot of variation between different non OEM suppliers...

My particular insurance company subs all their glass work (including the reps you work direct with on a claim) to Safelite.... Maybe I just happened to get a very informed rep when I called in, but when I played 20 questions with them on their glass regarding the tint, trim pieces (that also had to be replaced), black masking, etc. they had all the right answers..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Aug 28 2007, 07:54 PM) [snapback]503529[/snapback]</div>

Aside from the glass I think it borders on stink. First the bra. NO way $150.00. You may need to have it installed and then present them with the bill.

I am also wary of the paintless dent repair. They're going to bang out those dimples and it's going to look like new? I don't think so.

And I have NEVER had any car work done that hasn't gone over the estimate except having my oil changed at the dealership.

 

I feel your pain. Locutus was pummeled by a hailstorm back in June. Fortunately the glass was left intact. My tab was $5100 with a $500 deductible.

Interesting how well you were able to photograph the dings. They didn't photograph on the black car. I went to a Toyota repair shop and they had the car for 4 weeks. They did do a nice job, but 4 weeks driving a Matrix was driving me crazy. I've seen a couple of the "dentless" repairs and you can still see ripples.

The sad thing is you can't leave it, it devalues the car.

Good Luck.

 

OUCH! That is painful to look at. I got into a hail storm last week while 4 blocks from home... about pea size, started getting bigger the closer I got to home. Lets see, what do you do. Gun it and head for the garage fast, turn around and book-it the other direction, ??? I hurried into the garage. In retrospect, I should have turned around, especially now knowing that the storm was heading at right angles to my intended path. Fortunately the hail only got to about penny or nickel size, and I can't see any dents. But it makes you think about what you will do the next time.

My Nissan Pickup got nailed a few years ago by quarter to golf-ball size hail and I collected a few thousand from the insurance but never got it fixed. It's parked outside in the sun all day every day. I can't see the dents anymore, they fixed themselves somehow. I think the expansion and contraction from daily temperature changes fixed them. Glad I kept the insurance money, but if it's damaged by another storm I can't collect again.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Aug 31 2007, 08:08 PM) [snapback]505222[/snapback]</div>

You mean you *could* have a garage? Well, at least put a carport up or something. But at least with a garage you can also have power for the EBH.

 

I just had a windshield replaced. Toyota does not make their own glass but contracts it out to various companies. My new windshield is made by PPG and much to my surprise it seems to keep the car from getting as hot as it did with the OEM glass. The darker top is also easier on the eyes in bright sun and helps with headlight glare at night.
As far as the mechanic who mentioned paintless dent removal problems, he was probably referring to the hood and hatchback. These parts are made of aluminum and stretch when they are dented. It is very difficult to smooth these out. The rest of the body is made out of steel and paintless dent removal should work quite well.
As far as insurance companies paying for various things, the next time you get insurance quotes make sure you ask about accident replacement. Many companies approve ill fitting chinese made parts and or used parts. That seductive low insurance rate is rarely a good thing.

 

Re: HAIL DAMAGE!!!

I just had the same luck here. My Prius got hit pretty badly during a hail storm a week ago here in Austin. Both the roof and hood are being replaced at a collision center and PDR is being done for the rest.

I should be getting the car back tomorrow or the day after, and I have a couples questions for you all:

1. Is there anything important in the stickers on the hood? I meant to take a picture of it before taking the car to the shop, but forgot about it. Can anybody share any pictures or information about them?

2. Is there anything in particular that you recommend me carefully inspect when I get my car back?

Any other advice is very welcome. Thanks!