How does waiving the deductible work?
Your Deductible Explained
What’s a Deductible?
Your deductible is the amount (typically $500–$1,000) subtracted from your insurance payout for repairs.An Example:
If your car has $5,000 in damage and your deductible is $1,000, your insurance would pay $4,000 for the repairs.The Traditional Body Shop Approach:
Conventional shops require you to pay that $1,000 out-of-pocket because they need the full amount to replace your damaged panels.Our Advantage with Paintless Dent Repair:
We “massage” the dents out instead of replacing panels, so we don’t need the extra funds from your deductible. This allows us to waive your deductible completely—even though we earn a bit less per repair, we can fix far more cars, keeping your repair hassle-free and at zero cost to you.
How We Handle Your Rental Car Needs
• Insurance Coverage: If your policy includes rental car coverage, your insurance will cover the rental for the entire duration of your repairs.
• No Coverage? No Problem: We have corporate accounts with all major rental car companies. That means if you don't have coverage, we pick up the tab.
• Why We Offer This: Most customers don't have a spare vehicle for the 7-10 days of repair. To keep you moving—and to fix more cars—we provide a rental car.
• Cost Efficiency: Thanks to significant discounts from rental companies (because we repair and rent so many cars), it only costs us a couple hundred dollars to ensure you have a ride.
• Our Commitment: By offering this service, we're able to fix far more cars while keeping the process stress-free and convenient for you.
How does paying for the rental car work?
What’s the difference between PDR and Conventional Shop repairs?
Conventional Repair:
In this approach, all of the damaged parts are replaced with brand-new components. While this method might seem straightforward, it comes with several significant drawbacks:Lowers Your Car’s Value:
Replacing original panels with new parts often reduces your vehicle's value by thousands of dollars.Mismatched Paint:
New parts may not perfectly match the color and finish of the original panels, leading to noticeable inconsistencies in your car’s appearance.Extended Repair Time:
Conventional repairs typically take much longer—often 1-2 months—to complete, leaving you without your vehicle for an extended period.Harsher on Your Vehicle:
The process of removing and replacing parts can be more invasive and may contribute to additional wear or stress on your vehicle.Aftermarket Parts:
Instead of using original components, body shops may install aftermarket parts, which can further diminish your car’s overall quality.Carfax Reporting:
These repairs are reported to Carfax, potentially affecting your car’s resale history and overall value.
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR):
PDR is a method where skilled technicians “massage” the dents out, restoring the damaged panels to their original condition without replacing any parts. This approach offers numerous advantages:Restores Your Car’s Original Value:
By repairing the dents instead of replacing panels, PDR preserves the full value of your vehicle, keeping it just as it was before the storm.Maintains Your Original Paint Job:
Since no new parts are installed, your car’s original, factory finish remains intact, ensuring a seamless, like-new look.Quick Turnaround:
Most PDR repairs are completed in just 7-10 days, significantly reducing your downtime.Gentler on Your Vehicle:
The process is less invasive, preserving the structural integrity of your car and minimizing additional stress.Keeps Original Parts:
By retaining your vehicle's original panels, PDR not only restores the aesthetics but also maintains the inherent quality and craftsmanship of your car.No Carfax Reporting:
Since PDR doesn't involve part replacements, there’s no need to report the repair to Carfax, keeping your vehicle’s history clean.
The Verdict:
PDR is the obvious choice—it offers all the benefits of restoring your car to its pre-storm condition without the downsides associated with conventional repairs. You get a faster, more cost-effective, and less intrusive repair that maintains your car's value and appearance.
PDR stands for Paintless Dent Repair. It’s a specialized method where our professionally trained technicians use precision hand tools to work from behind your vehicle’s panels and gently massage out hail dents—without ever damaging the original factory paint.
This isn’t a quick trick—it’s a skill honed over years, and our team has mastered it over the past 20 years. With PDR, your car retains its original paint job and all of its authentic parts, so there’s no need for a new paint job or panel replacements.
In contrast, many body shops use aftermarket paint that’s often of lower quality than the original finish. This not only risks a mismatch in color and texture but can also lower your car’s overall value. With PDR, your vehicle is restored to its pre-storm condition, preserving its true value and ensuring a flawless, factory-fresh look.
What is PDR?
How does the estimate process work?
After you drop off your vehicle and get into your rental, our expert team conducts a detailed inspection to assess all storm-related damage—from panels and windshields to moldings and more. We determine the repair cost based on the number and size of dents, then email the final estimate to your insurance company.
The following day, an insurance adjuster visits our shop to review our estimate in person. Once approved, we immediately begin the repair process—getting you back on the road as quickly as possible.
Why Your Insurance Rates Don’t Go Up
There are two types of claims:
1. Collision Claims:
Cause: Damage caused by a human error (like a fender bender).
Effect: Filing a collision claim—regardless of fault—typically increases your insurance rates because the damage is attributed to a person’s actions.
2. Comprehensive Claims:
Cause: Damage not caused by a person (such as hail, fire, flooding, or even a tree falling on your car).
Effect: Filing a single comprehensive claim will not raise your rates. In fact, you’re allowed up to four comprehensive claims per year before any rate increase is applied.
What This Means for You:
If you’re filing a claim for hail damage, your rates will not increase whatsoever because it falls under the comprehensive category.
In areas with a high volume of hail claims, insurers might raise rates for everyone in that zip code. If that’s the case, it’s better to file your claim promptly—since rates are already on the rise, you might as well get your car fixed.
This approach ensures you can repair your vehicle without worrying about a sudden jump in your insurance premiums.
Will my insurance rates go up?
How long should I wait to call Ashton?
Waiting to repair your hail-damaged car isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it can cost you thousands and even risk your vehicle’s overall integrity. Here’s why getting your car fixed ASAP is crucial:
Insurance Deadline:
Your insurance only covers repairs if you file within a short window after the storm. Delaying could mean losing out on coverage, leaving you to shoulder the repair costs and a significant drop in your car’s value.Stacking Damage:
Every additional hail storm compounds the damage. Multiple events can turn manageable dents into a scenario where Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is no longer viable—forcing you into costly full-panel replacements or risking a total loss.Prevent Further Damage:
Hail can crack your car’s paint, which, if left untreated, can quickly lead to rust. What starts as a cosmetic issue can evolve into a structural problem that compromises your vehicle’s longevity.Limited-Time Offer:
Remember, we waive the deductible and cover your rental car for the first 100 vehicles that drop off after a storm. Delay too long, and you might miss out on this exclusive benefit.
Don't let procrastination cost you more. Act now to preserve your car’s value and ensure a smooth, hassle-free repair process!
Your Choice Matters: In-Network vs. Independent Shops
Your insurance will pay for the repair no matter which shop you choose. However, there are key differences between the in-network shops your insurance might suggest and independent shops like ours.
In-Network Shops:
Mandatory Deductible:
In-network shops require you to pay your deductible upfront.No Rental Car Coverage:
If your policy doesn’t include rental coverage, they won’t provide a rental vehicle, leaving you to make your own arrangements.Conventional Repairs Only:
These shops typically prefer conventional repairs—replacing damaged parts instead of using Paintless Dent Repair (PDR). This approach can lower your car’s value by compromising its original factory finish and parts.Long Wait Times:
Because insurance companies send most claims to these shops, you often face long waiting lists, sometimes months before you can get your car fixed.
Independent Shops (Like Ours):
Flexible Deductible Policy:
We have the option to waive your deductible, saving you out-of-pocket expenses.Complimentary Rental Car:
If you don’t have rental car coverage, we can provide a rental vehicle at no extra cost to you.Expert PDR Services:
We exclusively perform Paintless Dent Repair, restoring your car’s original condition and preserving its value—just as it was before the storm.Quick Turnaround:
We get you in for repairs within a week of the storm, so you’re not left waiting for months.
Remember, you’re allowed to choose any repair shop you want, and your insurance must pay for the work regardless. By opting for an independent shop like ours, you benefit from waived deductibles, complimentary rentals, expert PDR, and a much faster, hassle-free repair process.
What’s the difference between an in-network shop and an independent shop?
Why do PDR companies chase storms?
Hail isn’t predictable—it rarely strikes in the same place year after year. For a hail repair business to be successful, they need to be where the damage is happening. That’s why most PDR companies base themselves in regions with a high likelihood of hail, such as Denver or Dallas/Fort Worth. However, since hailstorms can occur anywhere, these companies also establish national partnerships to quickly mobilize their expertise wherever it’s needed.
Our approach is simple: Although we're based in Dallas, we work with trusted partners across major and minor cities nationwide. When a storm hits, we can swiftly set up shop in the affected area, ensuring that we help as many people as possible get their vehicles restored to pre-storm condition—fast and efficiently. This proactive strategy enables us to bring our top-quality, value-preserving repair service to you, no matter where you live.
I own a marketing agency that partners with the best and most reputable PDR shops across the country to help them fix more cars each year. As an independent contractor I work with several PDR companies, all of which are fixing cars at different storms across the country simultaneously. I only partner with the biggest names in the industry, and I have an intense qualification process to determine who I will do business with.