Hail hit your car. Here's what to do today.

Right now (10 minutes)

Photograph every panel at an angle so the dents show in the reflection: roof, hood, trunk, each side. Photograph any broken glass, mirrors or lights. If the sunroof or a window is broken, cover it with plastic and tape before the next storm; water in the headliner is a bigger repair than the hail.

Don't wash or wax the car yet. Don't let anyone 'pop out a few dents' for cash in a parking lot.

Today (one phone call)

Report a comprehensive claim to your insurer and get the claim number. Say it was hail and give the date. If they offer a drive-in inspection, take it, and bring your photos. If they 'recommend' a shop, you can say you've chosen Best Deal.

Tonight (two minutes)

Send us four photos and your VIN from your phone. A real estimator looks at them and emails you a written range the same business day. No appointment, nobody calls to pressure you.

The storm-chaser trap

After every big Valley hail storm, out-of-state PDR crews show up in parking lots with tents and signs. Some do good work. The problem is what happens if they don't: the paint cracks on a dent, the headliner sags, or the insurer won't pay their invoice, and the crew is in Texas by then. A shop with a Glendale address and a warranty is the safer bet for the same money. If someone wants you to sign an assignment of benefits in a parking lot, don't.

What happens at Best Deal

We count every dent by panel, photograph it, and send the insurer our estimate (and a supplement if their first number is low). PDR on every panel it works on, conventional repair where the paint is cracked. Deductible assistance up to $1,000 means most hail repairs cost you nothing out of pocket. Free tow if the glass is gone and you'd rather not drive it; loaner for repairs over $3,500.