Quick Summary:
- Move to safe cover, document weather conditions, and stop further damage.
- Photograph every panel, roof, glass, wheels, and the interior skylight.
- Capture timestamped context photos showing location, hail on ground, and signage.
- Notify the rental provider promptly with facts only, without admitting liability.
Texas hail can arrive suddenly, especially around major highways and open parking lots. If your car hire is hit, your aim is to protect yourself from avoidable charges by reducing further damage, building a clear record of what happened, and reporting it correctly. Most disputes arise when there is no proof of when, where, and how the dents occurred, or when a driver unintentionally accepts blame in writing.
The steps below focus on what to do in the first 30 minutes, the exact photos that help most, and how to notify the rental provider in a neutral, factual way. If you arranged your car hire through Hola Car Rentals for arrivals or collections in Texas, your supplier and documents might vary by location, such as Houston IAH airport car hire or Dallas DFW car rental, but the core approach is the same.
First priority, safety and preventing more damage
Before you start taking photos, stop the situation getting worse. Hail can break glass, reduce visibility, and create slick roads. If you are driving, signal and pull over when it is safe, then move the vehicle out of the hail path if possible.
Practical places to shelter include a covered petrol station bay, a multi-storey car park, a hotel porte cochere, or an underpass shoulder only if it is legal and safe. Avoid stopping in travel lanes or flooded low points. If the hail is intense, stay inside with your seatbelt on until the worst passes. The goal is to show you took reasonable steps to mitigate damage, which can matter if the provider argues the dents worsened because the vehicle was left exposed.
Once conditions allow, do a quick visual check for immediate hazards: shattered glass, loose trim, or a cracked windscreen that could obstruct vision. If the windscreen is cracked badly, it may be unsafe to continue driving at speed. Keep receipts for any necessary safety steps, such as purchasing duct tape for a broken window or paying for a secure car park overnight. Do not authorise repairs without the rental provider’s guidance unless you must do so to make the car safe and legal to move.
Secure your evidence before you move the car again
Your strongest protection from charges is a clear, time-linked record. Aim to capture evidence while hail stones are still visible, because it shows the cause was a weather event rather than impact damage. Use your phone camera’s settings so the date and time are recorded in the image metadata. If you can, also enable the on-screen timestamp function, but do not rely on that alone.
Take photos first, then video. Photos are easier to reference in claims, while video provides continuity that the vehicle you photographed is the same one at the location shown. Keep your original files. Do not edit, filter, or crop unless you keep the full originals as well.
The exact photos to take, in this order
Think of your photo set as telling a story: place, time, vehicle identity, then damage detail. Work methodically and capture more than you think you need.
1) Context photos that prove the hail event
Take at least 6 to 10 wide shots that show:
First, the vehicle in its surroundings, including the ground with hail stones visible. Second, a recognisable landmark or signage, such as a petrol station name, hotel sign, or car park level marker. Third, the sky and weather conditions, including any ongoing precipitation, pooling water, or debris. Fourth, if you are near an airport or rental return area, capture the building or entrance signage. These images help establish the timing and location of the incident.
2) Vehicle identification photos
Take clear, well-lit images of the number plate, the VIN plate if accessible (often on the driver door jamb or lower windscreen area), and the rental stickers or barcodes if present. Photograph the dashboard with the ignition on if safe, showing the odometer and any warning lights. This ties your evidence to the specific car hire vehicle and prevents confusion if fleets contain similar cars.
3) Full exterior walkaround, every panel
Do a full 360-degree walkaround with photos taken at chest height, then repeat from a slightly lower angle. Capture the roof if you can safely do so, such as from a safe elevated position in a multi-storey car park or by stepping back and using a wide angle. Hail damage often concentrates on the roof, bonnet, and boot lid, and these are frequently missed in quick documentation.
Take individual photos of: bonnet, roof, boot, front bumper, rear bumper, left and right front wings, left and right rear quarters, all doors, mirrors, and fuel flap area. Include at least one photo per panel even if damage is not obvious. This prevents later claims that new dents appeared because you did not document that area.
4) Close-ups that show dent texture and scale
For each visibly dented area, take close-ups from several angles. Dents can disappear in flat lighting, so change your angle to catch shadows. Include a scale reference without damaging the car, such as holding a coin or a standard key fob near the dent without touching the paint. Do not place tape, magnets, or anything adhesive on the bodywork.
5) Glass, lights, and wheels
Hail can chip windscreens and crack headlamp lenses. Photograph the windscreen from inside and outside, including any star cracks, chips, or edge fractures. Take photos of side windows and rear glass. Photograph headlamps, tail lamps, fog lamps, and indicators closely. For wheels and tyres, capture each wheel face, tyre sidewall, and the area around the wheel arch where hail and debris can cause scuffs.
6) Interior photos, especially water ingress
Even when dents look minor, water ingress can create bigger bills. Photograph the headliner, seats, carpets, and boot interior. If water is present, photograph the droplets, wet patches, and any open seals. Also photograph the boot seal area and door seals. If the hail broke glass, capture where the glass entered the cabin, but do not touch sharp fragments with bare hands.
7) A continuous video with narration
Finish with a slow video walkaround where you narrate the date, time, and location, then show the number plate and the damage areas in one continuous clip. Keep your words factual. Avoid statements like “I caused this” or “I should not have been there”. Your aim is to show an unfolding weather event, not fault.
Collect supporting proof without overcomplicating it
In addition to photos, gather a small set of supporting items: a screenshot of your local weather app showing hail warnings for your area, and if available, a news alert screenshot. Do not include external links in messages to the rental provider. A screenshot kept in your own records is enough. If you were parked at a business, keep a receipt showing you were there at that time, for example a fuel receipt. If police attended due to broader storm damage, note the incident number, but minor hail damage usually does not require a police report.
How to notify the rental provider promptly, without admitting liability
Notify the rental provider as soon as you are safe. Most rental agreements require prompt reporting, and delays can create suspicion. Use the contact method listed on your rental agreement or your booking documents. If your rental was arranged via Hola Car Rentals, your paperwork will typically point you to the supplier’s instructions, which can differ across providers and locations, including options associated with Budget car rental at Dallas DFW or Hertz car hire at Dallas DFW.
Use factual, neutral language
When you report, stick to: what happened, when, where, and what you observed. Avoid opinions about responsibility. Hail is generally a weather event outside the driver’s control, but your wording still matters.
A safe message template you can adapt
“Hello, I’m calling to report weather-related damage. On [date] at approximately [time], the rental vehicle [make/model] registration [plate] was exposed to a hail storm at [location]. After moving to a safe covered area, I observed dents on [areas] and possible glass marks on [areas]. I have timestamped photos and video of the vehicle, location, and conditions. Please advise the next steps for inspection and whether I should continue driving or arrange an exchange.”
This approach documents that you acted reasonably, and it requests instructions instead of making admissions. If asked direct questions, answer accurately, but keep it objective. For example, say “hail fell while the vehicle was parked” rather than “I left it out” or “I shouldn’t have parked there”.
Do not authorise repairs or valet services without approval
After a storm, you may be offered quick dent removal or glass repair in car parks. Politely decline until you have the rental provider’s approval in writing. Unauthorised repairs can create disputes about workmanship, costs, and whether the damage was fully assessed. If the car is unsafe, the provider may direct you to a specific repairer or arrange a replacement vehicle.
Protect yourself at return and during inspection
When returning the car hire, do not rush the check-in. Ask for a written damage report and keep a copy. If you are returning outside hours, follow the after-hours procedure and take extra timestamped photos of the parked vehicle, the key drop location, and the fuel level and mileage. Make sure your return photos include the roof and bonnet again, because those are common hail impact zones.
If staff note hail damage, stay calm and reference your earlier report. Offer to share your photo set and video. If there is a disagreement about when the damage occurred, your context shots, vehicle ID photos, and continuous video are what usually help resolve it.
Common pitfalls that lead to avoidable charges
First, only photographing one dent close-up and nothing else. Without context, it is hard to prove timing and extent. Second, forgetting the roof. Third, cleaning the car immediately, which can remove visible hail residue and reduce the credibility of “storm just happened” photos. Fourth, sending messages that accept blame, even casually, which can be used to justify charges. Fifth, continuing to drive with a cracked windscreen, which can be argued as worsening damage.
Understanding what you might be charged for
Charges depend on your rental terms, the level of cover you selected, and the provider’s damage assessment. Hail dents can be treated as body damage even when paint is intact. Windscreen or light lens cracks can be treated as glass damage. If your rental agreement includes a deductible or excess, hail may fall under it. Your best protection is demonstrating it was a sudden weather event, that you promptly reported it, and that you took reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
If you need a larger replacement vehicle due to luggage or group size after an incident, availability can vary. Some travellers in Texas use people carriers or vans, and fleet options may differ by airport, such as van rental in Texas at IAH. The key point is to follow the supplier’s process for swaps so you are not seen as abandoning the original vehicle.
FAQ
Do I need to call the police for hail damage in Texas?
Usually no. Hail damage is typically not a police matter unless there is a broader emergency, injuries, or road hazards. Focus on safety, evidence, and notifying the rental provider promptly.
What if I only notice hail dents the next morning?
Take the full set of photos immediately, including context like hail remnants or weather alerts, then notify the provider right away. Explain when you discovered it, not when you think it happened.
Should I accept responsibility if the agent says I am liable?
Do not argue on the spot, and do not admit fault. State that the damage appears weather-related, that you have timestamped evidence, and that you are following the reporting process in your agreement.
Can I keep driving after hail damage?
Only if the car is safe and legal. If the windscreen is cracked in the driver’s view, lights are broken, or visibility is reduced, stop driving and ask the rental provider for instructions or a replacement.
Which photos matter most if I have limited time?
Prioritise: wide context with hail on the ground, number plate and VIN, full exterior walkaround including the roof, and close-ups of each damaged area plus any glass cracks.
