Hail Damage to Car - Take to Dealer or Recommendations in West Des Moines?

[h-hawk]

We have always taken the Toyota in to the dealer for service but was wondering if dealers are best for hail repair as well as being close to the damage estimates (Allstate). Our other vehicle is a Nissan which we have not taken back to the dealership. (No negative reasons.)

FWIW we are very impressed with Allstate-received auto payouts same day as inspections, and home insurance money a couple of days after inspection. We were lucky to be outside of the windshield shattering hail. But it is amazing to find out there are almost a hundred, mostly invisible dents on your vehicles.

 

[Rifler]

Pocket the cash and just drive it,.. If you don't like driving a dinged up car, then trade it.

 

[h-hawk]

We probably will take the money for the Versa which is older, and use it for our deductibles on the other vehicle and the house, plus a little extra to put in the bank.

 

[WisestIowan]

OP's mom has hail damage all over.

 

[claykenny]

Pocket the cash and just drive it,.. If you don't like driving a dinged up car, then trade it.

It would be useful to know if he owns the car outright before advising he pocket the money.

 

[Rifler]

It would be useful to know if he owns the car outright before advising he pocket the money.

Assumption on my part,... but I'd still take the cash.

 

[h-hawk]

We do own both autos outright. The Highlander is 5 years old but would cost a fortune to replace with the way even used car prices are now.

 

[Rifler]

My issue with this is that I've never seen a hail repair that fully restored the vehicle,, so all you're really doing is pouring additional capital into a damaged asset that will never fully regain it's previous value... Mechanically, the car is still in good shape, so if you're willing to overlook the cosmetics just drive it to death and pretend that you bought it for the original purchase price minus the insurance check... If you don't like driving a dinged up car then unload it now and let somebody else spend their money on a marginal restoration attempt.