Moderate hail damage costs about $1,500 to $3,500 to fix
Fixing moderate hail damage on a car costs about $1,500 to $3,500 in 2026 with paintless dent repair, where a technician pushes the dents out without repainting. Light hail runs about $500 to $1,500, and severe storms can pass $8,000. Comprehensive car insurance covers hail, so most drivers pay only their deductible.
What hail damage repair costs
| Light hail | $500 to $1,500 |
|---|---|
| Moderate hail | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| Severe hail | $3,500 to $8,000 |
| Paintless repair, per dent | $50 to $150 |
| Body shop, per dent | $150 to $500 and up |
| Full car, StormWise average | About $6,453 |
| Aluminum panels | 25 to 40 percent more |
These prices are for paintless dent repair. A body shop that sands and repaints usually costs much more. Sources: My Dent Guy, hail damage repair cost 2026, dent repair pricing (September 2026); Autobahn Collision, hail damage and paintless dent costs 2026 (April 2026); Storm Shield, hail damage repair cost in Kansas City (April 2026); The Dent Dude, hail damage repair cost, per dent pricing (July 2026); StormWise, how much paintless dent repair for hail costs (December 2024).
What changes your price
- Number of dents. Adjusters count dents on each panel.
- Dent size. Golf ball dents cost more than pea sized ones.
- Panel. Roofs and hoods are easier to reach than door edges and pillars.
- Aluminum. Aluminum panels take longer and cost more.
- Cracked paint. If the paint is broken, a body shop may be needed.
- Insurance. With comprehensive cover, you usually pay only your deductible.
Paintless repair and insurance
My Dent Guy says moderate hail costs $1,500 to $3,500 with paintless repair, light hail $500 to $1,500 and severe hail $3,500 to $8,000. It says paintless repair is 40 to 60 percent cheaper than a body shop and takes days instead of weeks. It notes that insurers may total a car when repairs pass 70 to 80 percent of its value.
Autobahn Collision says paintless repair averages $50 to $150 per dent, while body shop work runs $75 to $325 per dent plus paint. It says full car hail repairs commonly total $2,500 to $10,000. StormWise, a hail repair company, says its average full paintless repair is about $6,453, from about $2,511 to $16,875.
The Dent Dude gives a simple rule: if the repair is under twice your deductible, paying cash usually wins. At five times your deductible or more, filing a claim almost always wins. It adds that aluminum panels cost 25 to 40 percent more, and that body shop repainting shows up on vehicle history and can cut resale value by $500 to $3,500. Storm Shield says unrepaired hail damage can lower a car's value by $3,000 to $8,000 or more. Sources: My Dent Guy, hail damage repair cost 2026, dent repair pricing (September 2026); Autobahn Collision, hail damage and paintless dent costs 2026 (April 2026); StormWise, how much paintless dent repair for hail costs (December 2024); The Dent Dude, hail damage repair cost, per dent pricing (July 2026); Storm Shield, hail damage repair cost in Kansas City (April 2026).
How long hail repair takes
My Dent Guy says paintless repair takes about 1 to 2 days for light hail, 3 to 5 days for moderate hail and 5 to 10 days for severe storms. A body shop often takes 2 to 4 weeks because paint must dry and parts must be put back on.
If hail also cracked your glass, see our windshield replacement page. If the paint is broken, see our car paint job page. For other car looks, see window tint and car wrap.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the quote is for paintless repair or body shop work.
- Ask how many dents were counted on each panel.
- Ask if the shop works directly with your insurer.
- Compare the total with your deductible before filing a claim.
- Compare with $1,500 to $3,500 for moderate hail.
Ways to pay less
- Choose paintless repair when the paint is not cracked.
- File a claim if the repair is several times your deductible.
- Get a second estimate for aluminum panels, where prices vary a lot.
- Fix hail damage before selling. It protects your car's value.
How we got these numbers
Repair shops set their own prices. The ranges come from 2026 dent repair shop price guides, as dated below. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does hail damage repair cost?
About $1,500 to $3,500 for moderate hail with paintless dent repair in 2026.
How much is paintless dent repair per dent?
About $50 to $150 per dent for hail.
Does car insurance cover hail damage?
Yes, comprehensive coverage does. You usually pay only your deductible.
Should I file a claim for hail damage?
If the repair is five times your deductible or more, filing usually makes sense. Under twice your deductible, paying cash often does.