Hailstone damage

Poshman
Poshman Forum Participant Posts: 88
edited August 2016 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Went to examine my Lunar in the compound after the owner emailed everyone to indicate the huge hailstorm we had here in south Lincolnshire on Saturday had damaged some vans. From my stepladder I could see at least 16 dents in my caravan's roof caused by
hailstones someone described as the size of golf balls. No penetration of the roof but not a pretty sight. I could see all the caravans around mine had suffered a similar fate. One nearby owner said he was going to contact his insurer. The question I have
is whether it is worth involving the insurance company. No-one can see the dents on site and no-one should notice them when I come to sell. The only concern would be if the larger dents in the roof eventually become holes! Have dealers the equipment to 'suck'
out dents? Or will my insurer pay for a new roof. That would mean another long wait for a repair - and I have only just had the van back after damp repair. Should I just grin and bear it?

Comments

  • Pauljw
    Pauljw Forum Participant Posts: 55
    edited August 2016 #2

    I would grin and bear it , I don't know what the cost would be nor how it may affect Your insurance. Possibly it may be worth getting someone out to see if there is any real damage or perforations to the roof , so that dampness doesn't get in . 

    Paul

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited August 2016 #3

    You can buy a sucker with a lever to pull out, or at least reduce, small dents. Car body shops use them too.

  • Jason12
    Jason12 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited August 2016 #4

    I wouldnt worry too much - the same happened to our caravan near Barcelona several years ago and the whole roof had golf ball sized dents in it. - when I part exchanged it a couple of years later the dealer wasnt concerned at all !!

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #5

    If you are ok with leaving the dents its best to leave if not going through insurance ,as there could be polystirene insulation which will probably not "pull up" if you go down the dent puller option and leave a liittle hollow between the layers

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited August 2016 #6

    The insurance will cover the damage but there will be an excess and loss of any no claim bonus. If it does not affect the resale price then it probably is better left as it is.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #7

    I think I would ask a caravan "expert" how. deep they go.  I had a mishap with a tree to back corner of caravan and didn't claim.  Repair was cheap but didn't last.  I should have claimed for a new back panel some £3000!  Hindsight is a wonderful thing!
     So I wished I had asked someone before the insurance expired that month.

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