Buying a Used Car Ontario: Hail damage
Buying a Car Ontario Hail damage: Searching and looking around to buy a used car is a headache, to say the least. You are required to make expensive decisions and compromises in a short period of time.
A good price is what we look for, but what if a good price is too good to be true? Then most likely something is wrong, somewhere. Hail damage is one of “something is wrong” things when a car comes with a cheaper price.
1) What is Hail Damage
Hail damage on cars is caused by severe and heavy hail. Ontario has its own share of hail every year. Usually is harmless but there are times when hail becomes destructive causing property victims. Cars are one of these victims making hail damage one of most common insurance claims.
2) How hail damages cars
Hail likes horizontal car surfaces, a lot. Most hail damages will be localized on vehicle roof, hood, trunk, windshield and rear glass. After hail is done with a car, windshield and rear window will be shattered while roof, hood and trunk will look like Swiss cheese.
3) Does Hail Damage Affect Car Structural Integrity
No, contrary to a collision accident, hail damage does not affect vehicle structural integrity of a vehicle. Hail damages are primary cosmetic, if windshield is not broken you can even drive your car with hail damage. It will look weird driving a Swiss cheese around, but your car will be normally drivable, no problem there.
- How much hail damage repairs cost
Repair costs will generally depend on severity of hail damage and what type of car it is. A 5 series BMW for example will cost much more to repair than a Corolla. Usual estimates will be $2,000 to $ 5,000, but in some cases repairs can easily go over $10,000 for premium cars.
- How Hail Damage is repaired
Windshield and rear glass are easily replaced. Hood and trunk will be replaced with new parts if hail damage is extensive. Cost of repairs for hood and trunk can higher that replacing with new parts. Not much can be done about roof though, it has to be filled, sanded and painted in place.
- Insurance for Hail Damaged Cars
Hail damage is considered same as accidents and collisions. Unless a vehicle has been branded as “Salvage” or “Rebuilt”, there will be no problems insuring a car with previous hail damage repairs. Insurance rates should not be affected.
4) Hail Damaged Car Value
Well, values for previously hail damaged cars will be the same as cars with collision accidents on their history, price depends on severity. Severity is measured by repair costs, higher severity or repair costs equal lower car price.
For example: if you are looking to buy a car with previously repaired hail damage of $2,000, expect price to be equal as any other vehicle. Damages of $2,000 are considered minor and wont affect vehicle value. If hail damages are $5,000 (or higher) then vehicle price should be cheaper. Higher than $5,000 in repair costs usually mean severe damage and will affect sale price.
5) How To Check if a car had previous hail repairs
vehicle history reports are the best way to check history and previous insurance claims. Carfax provides an extensive vehicle history report and can be obtained online in few minutes, cost is around $30.
However, if previous owner of the car did not go thru with insurance claims but paid for vehicle repairs themselves, vehicle history will not provide that kind of information.
6) Buying a previously hail damaged car in Ontario
Decision to buy a previously hail damaged car will depend on severity of damage and quality of previous repairs. If repairs are done properly you won’t be able to tell if a car has been repaired form hail damage.
If you see signs of previous hail repairs, then repairs are not done professionally. Most likely you will get paint peeling and other cosmetic problems in the future. Since hail does not cause damage structural or mechanical integrity and if a car has been properly and professionally repaired, these cars can be a good deal for the right price.
(If you are also looking for a fast and easy solution to sell your car, more here on “How To Sell Your Car Fast In Ontario”. )
Details on Things to Check When Buying a Car
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