According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) there were over 5,500 significant hail storms in 2014. You may have witnessed the damage caused by these tiny balls of frozen rain firsthand, and were thankful your car was safely in the garage. Unfortunately, that may not always be the case. From working with the insurance company to deciding if your car is salvageable, here is what to do after your car suffers hail damage:

Contacting the Insurance Company

Before you pick up the phone and contact your insurance agent, make sure to document all the damage to your vehicle. Take extensive pictures of your vehicle and write down the time you noticed the damage and where your car was parked.

Next, it's time to actually call your insurance agent and explain exactly what happened. Be thorough and let the agent know you have pictures and an accurate description of the damage. Your agent will then explain what to do next, the amount of coverage you have and if you'll have to pay a deductible.

The amount you'll have to pay to satisfy your deductible will vary depending on your coverage and provider, but expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $1000, or more.

If the damage is extensive, your insurance agent will help you determine if your car is worth fixing. In most cases, this determination is made after the vehicle is thoroughly examined by a mechanic. If it would cost more to fix your vehicle than it is worth in its present, hail damaged state, your insurance company will probably consider it a total loss.

In this case, you will be given a check for the value of your car, which could be used as a handsome down payment on your next dream vehicle.

How Much Will It Cost?

If your insurance company has determined your car is worth fixing, it's time to contact a specialist to determine just how much it will cost to eliminate all those unsightly dings. According to Auto Trends Magazine, the average cost to repair a hail damaged vehicle was around $2,500.

The amount you'll have to pay out of pocket will depend on your insurance provider and coverage.

The cost of repairing the damage will also depend on which technique the specialist utilizes. If there are only a few dings and dents that haven't compromised the panel's finish, the mechanic might utilize paintless dent repair, or PDR.

This technique involves using a specialized tool that uses pressure and suction to remove the dent without damaging the panel or your paint job.

However, if the damage to the panels is more extensive, the specialist may have to utilize more traditional methods to make your car look new again. This usually involves removing the panels that are severely damaged and replacing them with new ones. These new panels will then need to be painted to match your vehicle's existing finish.

The cost to repair your vehicle and the time it will take to eliminate all those dents and dings will vary. Your mechanic will provide you a detailed estimate to help you determine if you want to fix your vehicle, of if you're better off selling it.

Walking outside after a storm to discover your hail damaged vehicle can be scary – especially if you have a high insurance deductible! However, if you take the time to document the damage and work with your insurance provider and mechanic to fix the dings, you'll be behind the wheel of a dent free car faster than you might think. Visit a site like http://www.autobodyomaha.com for more information.