Take photos right away.
Shoot every panel and all the glass in daylight. Date-stamped photos help with insurance and with selling.
Calgary, Alberta
Cash for Hail Damaged Cars Calgary
Sell hail damaged cars in Calgary as they are. Understand your insurance options, write-offs and salvage rules, then get a firm offer and free towing.
Firm offer Free towing Paid at pickup
As-is offerFree towPaid at pickup
In Calgary, summer storms can turn the sky green in minutes.
Then the hail comes. Ten minutes later, your car looks like a golf ball. The windshield is cracked, the roof is dented, and you're wondering what happens next.
You have more options than you think. This page walks you through them: repair, insurance, write-offs and selling. If selling makes the most sense, our cash for hail damaged cars Calgary service buys your car as it is. You get a firm price, a free tow, and payment on the spot.
Call Us (403) 688-7302
Why Calgary Gets So Much Hail
Few Canadian cities see as much hail as Calgary. Warm summer air meets cooler air near the Rockies, and storms build fast over the foothills. Hail season usually runs from June to August.
The damage can be huge. A storm on June 13, 2020 caused about $1.2 billion in insured damage. The August 5, 2024 storm was even bigger, at about $3.25 billion. Vehicles alone made up close to $1 billion of it. Storms like these leave thousands of dented cars across the city at once.
The First 48 Hours After a Hailstorm
What you do right after the storm can protect your car's value, whatever you decide later.
Cover broken glass.
Tape plastic over cracked or missing windows to keep rain out.
Check for leaks.
Look for water near the sunroof, windshield and door seals.
Don't drive with a shattered windshield.
If you can't see clearly, have the car towed.
Call your insurer early.
After a big storm, claims pile up fast. Getting in line early helps.
Keep every letter.
Save emails and forms about your claim and the car's status.
Understanding Hail Repair
Most hail dents are fixed with paintless dent repair, or PDR. A technician pushes the dents out from behind the panel, without new paint. It works well for small and medium dents.
Bigger damage is harder. Cracked paint, sharp dents, and damage on edges or roof rails may need new panels and paint. Broken glass, sunroofs and lights add to the bill. After a major storm, body shops can be booked for weeks or months.
On a newer car, repair usually makes sense. On an older car, the bill can be close to, or more than, what the car is worth.
Insurance Write-Offs and Salvage in Alberta
If the repair cost is too high compared to the car's value, your insurer may declare it a total loss. Here's what that means for you.
If you take the payout and give up the car, the insurer owns it. You can't sell it to anyone else.
If you keep the car, your payout is usually reduced by its salvage value.
If the car is declared salvage, it can't be registered again until it passes a Salvage Vehicle Inspection. This is done by a licensed technician at an approved facility. You'll also need a Rebuilt Vehicle Work Plan.
If it passes, its status changes to “rebuilt.” That label stays with the car for life. It can also lower its resale value.
If it's declared non-repairable, it can only be used for parts.
Many people keep a hail-damaged car, then realize the inspection and repairs aren't worth it. That's often when they call us.
When Selling Makes the Most Sense
Selling your hail-damaged car as it is often beats the alternatives when:
You don't have comprehensive coverage, so insurance won't pay.
Your deductible is close to what the repair would cost.
The car is older, and the damage is worth more than the car.
You kept the car after a write-off and don't want to go through the salvage process.
You simply want it gone without months of repair shop delays.
Remember, you can only sell a car you own. If your insurer has already taken ownership, the car is no longer yours to sell.
What Affects Your Hail Car's Offer
Hail damage lowers a car's value, but it rarely makes it worthless. Here's what we look at.
How bad the damage is.
Light dents on the hood are different from a caved-in roof and shattered glass.
Whether it runs.
Most hail cars run perfectly. That helps your offer.
Its age and model.
Newer and popular models are worth more, even with dents.
Its status.
A car with a clean status, a salvage brand or a rebuilt brand is priced differently.
Other damage.
Rust, mechanical problems or past accidents also count.
How to Sell Your Hail Damaged Car
Take photos.
Get the roof, hood, trunk and glass in good light. They help us give you an accurate number.
Gather your papers.
Have your registration, photo ID and any insurance letters about the car's status.
Get a firm offer.
Call us with the details. We'll give you a real number.
Book free pickup.
We tow the car for free, even if broken glass makes it unsafe to drive.
Get paid.
You're paid before the car leaves. Then cancel your registration and insurance.
Need the car towed today? Every pickup includes free towing. Hail damage plus other problems, like a dead engine? See how we price cash for junk cars.
We Buy Hail Cars Across the Calgary Region
Hail doesn't stop at the city limits. We buy hail damaged cars in Calgary and in nearby towns like Airdrie and High River. Selling a car without hail damage? Head to our cash for cars Calgary page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I fix hail damage before selling?
Usually not. Repairs rarely add back what they cost, especially on older cars. Sell it as it is and save yourself the wait.
Can I sell a car with a salvage brand?
Yes, as long as you own it. Tell us about the brand so we can price it correctly.
Will you buy a car with a broken windshield?
Yes. We tow it, so you don't need to drive with cracked glass.
Does a "rebuilt" status lower what you'll pay?
It can, because rebuilt cars usually sell for less. We still make a fair offer based on the whole car.
Is there a best time to sell after a storm?
Sooner is usually better. A dented car can pick up rust and leaks over time, and repair shops fill up fast after big storms.
Get Your Hail Car Offer Today
Don't wait months for a repair slot. Send us photos or call (403) 688-7302 to get a number today. Our cash for hail damaged cars Calgary team buys your car as it is. Towing is free, and you are paid at pickup.