Hail is a fact of life on the Great Plains, and after a storm crosses central South Dakota this auto body shop fills up in a day. We have repaired a great many vehicles this way.

What a storm does to a vehicle

Damage lands on horizontal surfaces first: roof, hood, deck lid. Then the upper edges of fenders and quarters. Severe storms take out glass, mirror housings, and light lenses too. A vehicle can look fine standing beside it and show a hundred dimples once you sight down the panel under a light.

That is why an assessment happens under proper lighting rather than in the parking lot.

Comprehensive, not collision

Hail claims fall under comprehensive coverage. Most policies cover the full repair, no fault is assigned, and your deductible is usually lower than the collision one. We handle the claim with your insurer directly.

Do not accept a total loss determination on a hail-damaged vehicle without a conversation. Panels full of dimples produce alarming estimates, and a car that is entirely sound mechanically is sometimes written off on paper when it could be repaired.

The repair itself

Where the paint is unbroken, paintless dent repair is the better answer and keeps the factory finish intact. Where hail cracked the paint, or where a panel is too heavily hit to work, conventional repair and refinishing follow.

Most storm vehicles need a mix, and we plan which panels get which rather than defaulting one way.

After a storm, call early

Everyone in the county calls the same week. Getting in touch quickly means a place in the queue. (605) 494-0436, and ask about a rental from our own department while yours is in.