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Valley hail damage may be hiding beyond dents, Peoria repair shop says
After Wednesday’s hailstorm, Phoenix-area drivers are finding damage that ranges from dents to shattered windshields. A Peoria body shop manager says thorough inspections under specialized lighting can reveal damage not obvious at first glance.
PEORIA, Ariz. — Hail that battered vehicles across the Valley on Wednesday sent drivers seeking repairs, with some cars too damaged to drive and others showing more harm under close inspection than they did at first glance.
Calls began coming into Autobody Solutions Peoria within about an hour of the storm, general manager Keith McKay said. Damage has varied widely, from dents and dings to broken windshields. Some vehicles had to be towed to the shop.
A quick look may not show the full extent of the damage, McKay said. At the shop, technicians use bright fluorescent lighting and inspection grids to identify additional dents that can be difficult to see in ordinary light.
Repair schedules will depend on the severity of each vehicle’s damage, as well as the availability of parts and the pace of insurance processing. McKay estimated that one severely damaged vehicle he showed could take as long as a month to repair.
He urged drivers to document the damage with photos, contact their insurers and arrange an inspection with a repair shop they trust. With many Valley motorists seeking help at once, McKay said, delays are likely and patience will be needed.