On Friday, September 11, 2026, severe thunderstorms moved across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex and dropped hail on cars, homes, and businesses. If your vehicle was parked outside that afternoon or evening, it may be carrying damage you have not noticed yet. Here is what happened, how to check your car, and what to do next.
What the September 11 storm did
According to preliminary storm reports compiled by the National Weather Service and published by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, the September 11 storms produced hail across Tarrant and Ellis counties in two rounds. Around 2:00 p.m., south Arlington was hit with hail up to 1.75 inches — golf-ball size — near Canyon Creek Drive and the Matlock Road at Eden Road area, with tree limbs and power lines blown down nearby. That evening, quarter-size hail (1.00 inch) was reported near Benbrook at 5:46 p.m., near Maypearl at 5:27 p.m., and in southeast Midlothian at 5:50 p.m. Damaging straight-line winds also knocked down trees and power poles in parts of Arlington, Mansfield, and Grand Prairie.
These reports are preliminary — they mark only where hail was measured and reported, not everywhere it fell. If your car was outside anywhere in the storm’s path, get it inspected even if your street never made a report.
How to check your car for hail damage
Hail damage is easy to miss. Small dents can nearly disappear in flat light and only show up when light rakes across the panel at an angle. Inspect your car in daylight, and walk around it slowly looking down the length of each panel rather than straight at it.
Check the horizontal surfaces first — the hood, roof, and trunk lid take the brunt of falling hail. Then look at the tops of fenders, the mirrors, and any roof rails or trim. Run your hand lightly over suspect panels; your fingertips will often find shallow dents your eyes skip. Do not forget the glass: look for chips, star cracks, or pitting on the windshield, and check headlights, taillights, and the sunroof if you have one.
Note any paint that is chipped or cracked, not just dented — a dent with broken paint is a different, more urgent repair.
Paintless dent repair vs. conventional repair
Most hail dents are repaired one of two ways, and the right choice depends on the condition of the paint.
Paintless dent repair (PDR) reshapes the metal from behind the panel using specialized tools, without sanding, body filler, or repainting. I-CAR notes that PDR leaves the factory finish completely intact — but only dents with undamaged paint qualify, making it the preferred method when the paint survived.
Conventional repair is needed when the hail cracked or chipped the paint, stretched or sharply creased the metal, or hit a panel edge that cannot be worked from behind. I-CAR specifically cautions that hail damage on panel edges where the finish cracked will require refinishing. Conventional repair involves straightening the metal, applying filler where needed, and repainting the panel.
A qualified shop will map every dent — counting them and noting size, depth, and paint condition — and recommend the right method panel by panel. Many hail jobs end up as a combination: PDR where the paint survived, conventional repair where it did not.
Filing a hail damage claim in Texas
The Texas Department of Insurance advises that your insurer should pay for hail damage to your car if you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. Liability-only coverage will not pay to repair your own vehicle. Here are the steps TDI recommends:
- Document the damage. Take photos and video of every dented panel and any glass damage before anything is repaired. Note the date and location of the storm.
- File your claim promptly. Call your insurer or agent as soon as you can, and keep a record of everyone you speak with.
- Prevent further damage. Cover broken windows and holes to keep out rain. Save receipts for any temporary repairs — your policy may reimburse them. Do not authorize permanent repairs before the adjuster has seen the car.
- Be available for the adjuster. Make sure the adjuster sees all of the damage, and point out anything they might miss.
- Choose your own shop. TDI’s claim guide lists “pick a contractor or shop” as your step — the choice of repair facility is yours.
- Understand the timeline. Per TDI, the insurer has 15 business days to acknowledge your claim, 15 business days to decide once it has the information it needs, and five business days to pay. You pay your comprehensive deductible to the body shop.
If the repair estimate comes in near or below your deductible, talk through the math with your agent before filing — but do not skip the inspection. Knowing the real number puts you in a far stronger position than guessing.
Why prompt repair matters
It is tempting to live with a few dents, especially if they are hard to see. Three reasons not to wait:
Corrosion. Anywhere hail chipped or cracked the paint, bare metal is exposed to moisture. Texas humidity and rain will start surface rust on unprotected steel faster than most drivers expect, and rust turns a simple refinish into a bigger job.
Resale and trade-in value. Unrepaired hail damage shows up on vehicle history and inspection reports, and dealers discount for it. Repairing it properly — especially with PDR that keeps the factory paint — protects what the car is worth.
Shop scheduling after a big storm. When one storm damages vehicles across the Metroplex, repair demand spikes. I-CAR notes that after a large hail event, repair time can be at a premium and customers may wait weeks for an opening. Getting your inspection and estimate done early puts you in line sooner.
What to expect when you bring your car in
A proper hail inspection starts with a full walk-around under strong, angled lighting that reveals dents you missed in your driveway. The estimator counts and maps every dent, checks paint condition panel by panel, and inspects glass, trim, and moldings for cracks or pitting.
From there you will get a written estimate showing the repair method for each panel, any parts that need replacement (such as a cracked windshield), and the expected scope of work. If you are going through insurance, the shop coordinates with your adjuster — including documenting any additional damage found once panels or trim come off, so the insurer can review it.
Ask the shop to show you the dent map and explain which panels are slated for PDR and which need conventional repair. A straight answer to that question tells you a lot about the shop.
If your car was under the September 11 storm, do not assume it escaped damage just because the dents are hard to spot. Call Sindibad Auto Collision at 973-873-5050 for a free estimate, or Get a Free Estimate online and we will inspect it properly.
Frequently asked questions
Was my neighborhood hit by the September 11, 2026 hail storm?
Confirmed reports from the National Weather Service show hail in south Arlington (up to golf-ball size, 1.75″), Benbrook, Maypearl, and Midlothian, with damaging winds in Mansfield and Grand Prairie. Reports are preliminary and only mark where hail was measured — if your car was parked outside anywhere in the storm’s path that afternoon or evening, have it inspected.
Will my auto insurance cover hail damage in Texas?
Yes, if you carry comprehensive coverage — the Texas Department of Insurance states your insurer should pay for hail damage to your car under a comprehensive auto policy. Liability-only coverage will not repair your own vehicle. File your claim promptly and document everything with photos and video.
Is paintless dent repair or conventional repair better for hail damage?
It depends on the paint. Per I-CAR, paintless dent repair (PDR) is the preferred method when the factory paint is intact — it reshapes the metal without repainting. If hail cracked or chipped the paint, stretched the metal, or hit an inaccessible panel edge, conventional repair with refinishing is required. A shop inspection determines the right method panel by panel.
Do I have to use the repair shop my insurance company recommends?
No. The Texas Department of Insurance’s claim guide lists “pick a contractor or shop” as your step in the process. You are free to choose the body shop you trust; the shop then coordinates the estimate and any supplemental damage findings with your adjuster.
What happens if I ignore small hail dents?
Dents with intact paint are mainly cosmetic, but anywhere the paint is chipped, exposed metal can begin to rust — and unrepaired hail damage lowers resale and trade-in value. After a widespread storm, shop schedules also fill up, so an early inspection gets you in line sooner.