Wind Damage: How Does it Affect Your Car?

Living in New England, you know that severe storms can pop up out of nowhere. And with such volatile weather comes the risk of storm and wind damage wreaking havoc on your car. The good news is that most vehicle wind damage is just bodywork and can be fixed at a reliable collision center.

Not sure what to do in the event of wind damage to your car? Here is a quick guide to help you get your car back on the road looking as good as new.

Common Wind-Related Repairs

Wind damage to cars is usually inflicted by flying debris, falling trees, or other incidences caused by wind. It’s not the wind itself that will damage your car, but rather the consequences of the windstorm. That being said, the most common types of wind-inflicted damage to vehicles include:

• Scratches — surface-level damage to a vehicle’s paint exterior
• Scuffs — marks on the painted surface caused by contact with another item
• Bends — with wind damage specifically, if wind blows a car door shut too hard, it can bend the hinge
• Dents — impact into the metal surface on the vehicle’s exterior caused by falling or flying debris
• Gouges — deep scratches in a vehicle’s surface that go through the top coat, paint, and into the metal body of the car

Wind Damage FAQs

Q: Is wind damage covered by insurance?
A: Wind damage is typically covered by comprehensive car insurance. There is also a chance, depending on where the vehicle is parked, that certain home insurance policies will also cover vehicle damage caused by wind.

Q: Can wind damage total my car?
A: Absolutely. Depending on the severity of the storm and the corresponding damage, a vehicle can be totaled due to falling trees, power lines, flooding, and more.

Q: How is wind damage assessed?
A: It is best to contact the insurance company to begin the process of making a claim and assessing the total damage. Take photos immediately after the storm (once it is safe) to aid in the proper assessment of the damage.

Q: How much does car wind damage usually cost?
A: It will largely depend on the severity of the damage, but on average, wind damage to a vehicle will cost between $1,500 – $3,500.

What to Do In Case of Wind Damage

Once the storm and winds have subsided, it’s time to start the process of getting your vehicle repaired. Thankfully it doesn’t have to be an overly complicated or time-consuming process if you follow these simple best practices:

1. Take photos: For your own purposes and for potential insurance claims, it’s best to take photos of the situation. Of course, take photos of the damage to the vehicle from as many angles as possible, but also include photos of the surrounding areas and corresponding damage to paint a full picture of what happened.
2. Contact the insurance company: If you have comprehensive car insurance, this is the first avenue to pursue to get wind damage paid for. You’ll want to find out how much the deductible is, the claims process, and what body shops are covered by your policy. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, your home insurance policy may cover the damage if you meet the right criteria.
3. Find a trusted auto body shop: You won’t want to trust your vehicle’s body repair to just anyone. An experienced body shop with certified technicians, an experienced claims department, and top-of-the-line repair tools are all traits you should look for in your body shop of choice.