When Hail Damages Your Vehicle: Six Simple Steps to Getting Back on the Road

HASTINGS, Neb.--May 1, 20052, 2005--Last night's hailstorm in Hastings, Neb., caused widespread damage to cars and rooftops. If you've got damage to your car, paintless dent removal might be the answer to restoring your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.

"We know how important it is to get you and your vehicle back on the road quickly - that's what our 24/7, in-person claims service is all about. Understanding your repair options can help save time and money," said Scott Snapp, catastrophe response director, The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies.

If your vehicle is damaged in a hailstorm, Progressive recommends that you take the following steps:

1.  Call your insurance company immediately to report the damage.

2.  Discuss your repair with your insurance company and your body 
    shop. Hail damage to sheet metal may need to be hammered and 
    painted. However, trained technicians may recommend paintless dent
    removal (PDR), which involves using specially-molded metal tools 
    on the underside of a damaged part that won't disturb the factory 
    finish. This method is often utilized by manufacturers and dealers
    to repair new vehicles and will not invalidate paint warranties.
    
    PDR cannot be performed if the dents are too large, if there are 
    too many dents or if the paint finish is damaged.  Prior body 
    damage that required plastic fillers or bonding may also make PDR 
    difficult. Your insurance company will be able to determine the 
    severity of your damage and consult with you and the body shop on 
    which repair method makes the most sense for your vehicle.

3.  Find a reputable facility.  Save time and money by asking your 
    insurance company if it has a preferred PDR provider.  If you 
    choose a repair shop on your own, contact the Better Business 
    Bureau or get referrals from friends.  Ask the shop how PDR works 
    and how they access hard to reach places to make the repair. The 
    preferred method is to pull the dents from the outside rather than
    drilling holes to access the dent from beneath the panel.

4.  Find out how long the repair will take.  Paintless dent repair is 
    an efficient and effective technique for repairing damage to your 
    vehicle, and may be completed within a day. However, in Hastings, 
    lots of cars were damaged, so the work may take a little longer 
    due to the volume of vehicles that need to be repaired.

5.  Make sure your vehicle is repaired to your satisfaction.  Before 
    accepting your vehicle, look at the surface in fluorescent 
    lighting and from several angles so that you can see all the 
    details. Check for any remaining dents before you take your 
    vehicle home.

6.  Ask if the shop guarantees its work.  If you notice a flaw in your
    vehicle's repair, you should be able to have it fixed at no 
    additional charge. Know how your body shop will handle any 
    problems you might have with your vehicle after the repair. Get 
    guarantee and contact information in writing.  Ask your insurance 
    company if it guarantees the work of its preferred body shops.

Taking these simple steps can help you get your vehicle repaired and get you back on the road. In addition, ensuring that you receive safe, high quality, cost effective repairs, keeps the cost of your claim down and can help to keep down the cost of auto insurance for all consumers.

Progressive is the third largest auto insurance provider in Nebraska based on 2004 direct written premium.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance based on premiums written and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7, in-person and online service. The products and services of the Progressive Direct Group of Insurance Companies are marketed directly to consumers by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE and online at progressivedirect.com through the Progressive Direct(SM) brand. The Drive Group of Progressive Insurance Companies offers insurance through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies that market their products and services through the Drive Insurance from Progressive(SM) brand. For more information, go to driveinsurance.com.