PDR and Panel Beating, Done Right
Hail Damage Repairs Melbourne
- 348+ five-star Google reviews
- PDR and traditional panel beating – all damage types covered
- Insurance-approved repairer – we handle your claim
- Free vehicle pickup across Melbourne
What Happens to Your Car in a Hailstorm?
Melbourne regularly experiences some of Australia’s most severe hail events. Large hailstones fall fast and hit hard, and the damage they leave behind ranges significantly depending on stone size, wind direction, and where your car was parked.
Typical hail damage includes shallow cosmetic dents, deep panel deformation, cracked or chipped paint, and, in more severe events, windscreen fractures. Damage to the roof is especially common but often goes unnoticed. Without a professional inspection under proper lighting, roof dents can go unnoticed.
Leaving hail damage unrepaired can affect your vehicle’s resale value, allow rust to develop where paint has cracked or lifted, and complicate an insurance claim if it’s filed too long after the event. Acting early gives you more hail damage repair options and a smoother claims process.
Types of Hail Damage: What Does Autobody Prestige Repair?
|
Damage Type |
Typical Repair Method |
Paint Affected? |
Insurance Usually Covers? |
Small dents, no paint damage |
PDR (Paintless Dent Repair) |
No |
Yes – comprehensive |
Multiple small dents (hail pattern) |
PDR or PDR + spot repaint |
Possibly minor chips |
Yes – comprehensive |
Large dents / creased panels |
Traditional panel beating |
Yes – repaint required |
Yes – comprehensive |
Cracked or chipped paint |
Panel beating + Cromax repaint |
Yes |
Yes – comprehensive |
Roof panel dents |
PDR or panel replacement |
Depends on severity |
Yes – comprehensive |
Windscreen/glass cracking |
Glass replacement |
N/A |
Yes – if comprehensive includes glass |
Structural deformation |
Full panel replacement |
Yes – full repaint |
Yes – may approach total loss |
PDR vs Traditional Panel Beating for Hail Damage
Choosing the right repair method matters, not just for cost, but for the quality of the result. Here’s how the two approaches compare for hail damage repairs:
Factor |
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) |
Traditional Panel Beating |
Best for |
Small-to-medium dents where the paint is intact |
Required when paint is cracked, chipped, or the dent is too deep or creased for reshaping |
Process |
Technicians reshape metal from behind the panel – no sanding, filler, or repainting |
Panel straightening or replacement, sanding, primer, Cromax colour-match repainting |
Paint |
Preserves factory paint and finish, no colour mismatch risk |
Necessary for severe or widespread damage; results in a seamless factory-standard finish |
Turnaround |
Faster, often 1-3 days for hail-only PDR |
Longer, 3-7 days, depending on the extent |
Cost |
Lower cost – fewer materials and time |
Higher cost, but covered by comprehensive insurance |
ABP verdict |
Preferred method for standard car hail damage repairs |
Used when PDR limits are reached, no compromise on finish quality |
At Autobody Prestige, we offer both methods. After inspecting your vehicle, we recommend the hail damage repair approach that is right for your situation, not whichever costs more. In many cases, a single vehicle requires both PDR on some panels and traditional panel beating on others.
Our panel beaters in Melbourne have the training and equipment to handle both, including PDR on aluminium panels, which require different tooling than steel.
What to Do in the First 48 Hours After a Hailstorm
The steps you take immediately after a hail event can make a real difference to your repair outcome and insurance claim.
Move your car to covered parking if possible: Protect it from any follow-on weather or debris. If your vehicle is undriveable, Autobody Prestige offers free towing across Melbourne and can come to you.
Document all damage thoroughly: Photograph every panel from multiple angles in wide shots and close-ups (roof, bonnet, boot, and all doors). This is your primary evidence for an insurance claim and helps our team assess the full scope of damage before your inspection.
Check your insurance policy: Hail damage repair in Melbourne is only covered under comprehensive car insurance. Check your excess amount. If the repair cost is close to or less than your excess, it may be worth paying privately rather than lodging a claim.
Do not attempt DIY repair: Hair dryers, dry-ice kits, and suction-cup tools sold online can crack paint or permanently stretch metal, making professional PDR impossible and increasing repair costs.
Book a free inspection with Autobody Prestige: Call 1800 002 276 or upload photos online. We assess the full extent of the damage, including any roof dents that aren't immediately obvious, and provide a detailed quote ready to submit to your insurer.
We handle your insurance claim from here: Autobody Prestige manages all documentation, contacts your insurer, and arranges repair authorisation. You drop off your car (or we collect it) and pick up a fully repaired vehicle when ready.
Hail Damage and Your Car Insurance
Hail is classified as a weather event, which means it falls under comprehensive car insurance, not third-party property, CTP, or third-party fire and theft policies. If you’re unsure what cover you hold, check your policy documents or call your insurer before lodging a claim.
Because hail isn’t caused by driver error, filing a hail damage repairs claim generally does not affect your no-claim bonus, but this depends on your specific insurer and policy. It’s worth confirming directly with your insurer before you proceed.
Your excess applies when you lodge the claim. If the repair cost is lower than your excess, paying privately may be the more practical option. Autobody Prestige provides a free, no-obligation quote so you can compare costs before making a decision.
As an insurance-approved repairer for all major Australian insurers, including RACV, AAMI, and Allianz, we handle your insurance claim entirely on your behalf. And you have the right to choose your preferred repairer, so you don’t have to stick to whoever your insurer recommends. For accidents involving another driver rather than weather damage, we also offer not-at-fault accident repairs.
A Note on Modern Vehicles and Hail
Newer vehicles add a layer of complexity to hail damage repair that’s worth being aware of.
Many newer bonnets and roofs are aluminium rather than steel. Aluminium responds differently to PDR and requires specialist tooling and a technician who knows how to work with it during car hail damage repair.
Vehicles with ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) are another consideration. Cameras, radar units, and sensors are often built into or near the roofline, so roof panel repairs may require recalibration of these components once the work is complete. Our team flags both of these at the initial inspection, so there are no surprises mid-repair or at handover.
Victoria’s Accredited & Award-Winning Smash Repair Experts
Why Choose Autobody Prestige for Hail Damage Repairs in Melbourne?
Both PDR and panel beating under one roof
We assess each vehicle individually and apply the right technique to each panel. You get the best result for your specific damage, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
35+ years of hail damage repair experience in Melbourne
We've seen every type of hail damage Melbourne brings. That experience means faster diagnosis, fewer surprises, and repairs carried out to a standard that lasts.
Cromax professional paint system
When hail has cracked paint and repainting is required, colour matching has to be exact. Our spray painting service uses the Cromax system, which delivers the accuracy needed so your vehicle's finish looks factory-fresh.
OEM parts for any panel replacement
If a panel can't be restored, we replace it with genuine OEM-grade components. No aftermarket substitutes.
Lifetime guarantee on all repair work
Every hail damage repair we carry out is backed by our lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Free vehicle pickup and delivery
We collect your vehicle and return it when repairs are complete. You don't need to arrange anything.
Full insurance claim management
From the first call to final handover, we handle everything: documentation, insurer communication, and repair authorisation.
348+ five-star Google reviews
Melbourne drivers trust us with their vehicles, and our reviews show it. We're one of the most reviewed smash repairers in Melbourne for a reason.
Areas We Serve
After a hailstorm, the last thing you need is a long drive. Autobody Prestige is based in Maribyrnong and offers free vehicle pickup across Melbourne’s western suburbs and the wider metro area, including Footscray, Sunshine, Altona, Williamstown, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, and beyond.
Just ring us at 1800 002 276, and we come to you.
Hail Damage Repairs FAQs
Does comprehensive car insurance cover hail damage in Australia?
Yes. Car hail damage repairs are covered under comprehensive car insurance policies. It is not covered by third-party property, CTP, or third-party fire and theft policies. If you’re unsure what type of cover you hold, check your policy documents before lodging a claim.
Will making a hail damage claim increase my insurance premium?
In most cases, no. Because hail is a weather event rather than a driver-at-fault incident, it typically does not affect your no-claim bonus. However, this varies by insurer and policy. Confirm with your insurer directly before proceeding.
What is the difference between PDR and traditional panel beating for hail damage?
PDR is used when dents are small, and the paint surface is fully intact. Specialist tools massage the metal back into shape without any repainting. Traditional panel beating is required when paint has cracked, dents are deep or sharp, or a panel needs replacing. Our team offers both and will recommend the right method after inspecting your vehicle.
How long does hail damage repair take?
It depends on the extent of the damage and the repair method required. PDR-only hail damage repairs can often be completed in one to three days. More extensive damage requiring panel beating and respraying takes longer. We’ll give you a clear timeframe after the initial assessment.
Can hail damage be a total loss write-off?
In severe cases, yes. If the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds its market value, your insurer may declare it a total loss. This is more common after large-scale hail events, when multiple panels are heavily deformed. Autobody Prestige provides a detailed assessment and quote; your insurer makes the final determination on whether to write off or repair.
Is there a time limit for lodging a hail damage insurance claim in Australia?
Most insurers require you to lodge a claim within a reasonable time of the event (typically within 30 days, though this varies by policy). Delays can complicate the claims process, particularly if further damage occurs in the meantime. We recommend booking an inspection and lodging your claim as soon as possible after a hail event.
Not at fault?
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