Dealing with Hurricane Damage

Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause a variety of damage to your car, including the following:

Cracked windows and Windshields - Hail and debris can crack or break the glass in your car. Although small cracks may seem harmless, it is important to get them inspected and repaired before the issue gets worse. Small damage to glass can quickly get worse in subsequent storms and sometimes even when you're just using your car in normal conditions. Our team can help evaluate damage to let you know your best course of action.

Flooding or water damage - Water can damage your engine's cylinders and electrical components causing myriad issues that can be hard to diagnose at first. There's also the issue of your car's interior getting soaked with dirty water and the health risk that can pose. Water damage can also cause your vehicle to prematurely rust. After a severe storm, take your car to your most trusted auto service professionals and let them know what occurred. It helps us understand what issues your car may be facing and can help us let you know what to communicate during insurance claims.

Body damage from large debris - High winds can cause trees and limbs to fall and hit your car. This may result in body damage that can impact everything from your suspension to your headlights. Our team is well equipped to help you understand the extent of this damage, recommend the right auto parts for your car, and even take care of your car at our service center.

We recommend stepping through the following items in this order:

Safety First! - If your car has flood damage, you may not want to start it- both for the safety of yourself and your car, call a professional first. If you are dealing with broken glass, it may be best to look into a service that cleans auto glass onsite instead of dealing with it yourself. If your car has faced more minor damage, get it repaired ASAP to make sure things don't get worse and you don't put yourself in a dangerous situation. Our team is here to help answer any questions you may have.

Take Pictures - Take photos of the damage to your car, as well as surrounding areas that show context. Include pictures of relevant debris before you move it. You may want to do the next step simultaneously with this step if you're unsure what photos to take.

Call Your Insurance - You'll be able to find out the specifics of your insurance policy, including how much your deductible is and how to file a claim to have your insurer pay for the repairs that are required. If you have damaged belongings inside your car, also call your homeowner's insurance company.

Work with Trustworthy Mechanics - An experienced auto body shop will try to ensure you've followed these steps and guide you through the process of fixing your car. Everything should be transparent, understandable, and make sense for you.