Put your safety ahead of the car
A dented hood can wait. During an active Colorado thunderstorm, do not go outside to cover your vehicle or drive into the storm looking for protected parking. Follow local weather alerts and stay in a sturdy shelter when possible. Lightning, flooding and downed power lines can remain dangerous even after the hail stops.
Once conditions are safe, check the vehicle before driving. Broken glass, a damaged windshield or loose parts deserve attention before you head to a repair shop. If visibility or safe operation is in doubt, arrange professional help rather than assuming the damage is only cosmetic.
Document the damage before anything changes
Take wide photographs showing the whole vehicle, then close-ups of the hood, roof, trunk, doors and any damaged glass or trim. Photograph from several angles: small dents can disappear in one reflection and become visible in another. Keep the original files, and write down the storm date and where the car was parked.
The Colorado Division of Insurance recommends documenting vehicle damage when it is safe. Your insurer may accept photos during the claim process, but photographs do not replace every inspection or guarantee coverage. If you take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, save receipts and ask your insurer what documentation it needs.
Check your policy and ask about the next steps
Auto hail damage is generally addressed through comprehensive coverage, if your policy includes it, subject to the policy terms and deductible. Do not assume collision coverage alone pays for hail. Contact your insurer to confirm your coverage, reporting requirements and any instructions before authorizing repairs.
Keep your claim number, photos, insurer messages and repair documents together. Mention any previous dents or earlier repairs so the new damage can be assessed separately. Coverage decisions belong to the insurer; a repair assessment describes the work needed, not a promise about what your policy will pay.
Get the panels assessed, not just glanced at
Dents that look minor in daylight can be easier to see under specialized inspection lighting. A professional assessment checks the affected panels, paint condition, dent locations and access behind the metal. Those details help determine whether paintless dent repair is appropriate or whether glass, paint or other work needs separate attention.
Avoid experimenting with heat, household suction tools or do-it-yourself dent removal before the damage is documented and reviewed. Instead, ask the shop to explain its proposed repair method, the work included and any uncertainties. Not every dent can be repaired paintlessly, and the plan should reflect your actual vehicle.
Your next step in Denver
For a Summit Hail Repair assessment, call (720) 715-7171. Have your storm date, vehicle details and any insurer paperwork ready. An inspection gives you a clearer picture of the damage before you decide how to proceed; for the paperwork sequence, see our Colorado hail claim guide in the journal.