How to Take Photos for Virtual PDR Estimates
Modern technology has definitely made the life of a vehicle owner easier in many different aspects – dash cams keep the driver safe from false liability, some states are opting to make driver’s licenses accessible via phone, and of course, ordering vehicle accessories online is incredibly easy thanks to your smartphone. But how can your phone help make your life easier if you’ve sustained dent or ding damage?
Some dent repair companies like 618 Dent Guy now accept texted photos and videos of the damage to provide estimates; this means you don’t even have to leave your home to see how affordable PDR is and to get the process rolling! When sending photos, try to send 2-3 photos at different angles of the dent for the most accurate estimate possible.
Here are some tips to get the best quality photos of your dent damage:
Clean Your Vehicle
This may seem counterintuitive, but having a clean vehicle can more accurately show the details of the dent(s). You certainly don’t have to detail the car, but a quick wash and dry of the affected area can greatly help with visibility.
Use a Common Object for Scale
Simply sending a photo of a dent can be misleading if there isn’t an object there to help reference the size. It’s important that your PDR technician has an accurate view of how large your dents are to improve the preciseness of your estimate. It is best to use either a tape measure or a ruler and hold it up next to the dents, but you can certainly use other common items to help your PDR expert reference the size of a dent. Try to hold the item next to and over/under the dents as opposed to right over it so you’re not obscuring any part of the dent. If you aren’t able to use an item, you can also place your hand next to the dent to show the approximate size.
Use a Damage Template
In the event of hail damage or other large-volume dents (such as from flying debris during a storm), you will want to make sure you accurately document how many dents there are, and where they are located on the vehicle. We have created an easy PDR Dent Map for you to mark off where the dents occur on your car and truck, which you can print off at home and send to us along with your photos.
Take a Video
Feel free to send a video alongside your photos to us to help ensure we get the full view of the vehicle damage. As much as possible, try to keep the camera steady when you are filming, and get some close-ups as well as wide shots of the affected area. Be sure to move slowly and avoid changing directions or positions quickly!
Ensure There’s Good Lighting
Lighting is incredibly important when taking pictures or videos of vehicle damage – poor lighting will impair visibility as well as obscure details that can help make your estimate that much more accurate. If you typically park your vehicle in a garage, move it out onto the street or driveway to document the damage and try to do this in the late morning or early evening. At the sunniest times of the day, you may find it difficult to avoid glares that can conversely make your photos/videos too bright which removes finer details, and should instead take the photos inside a garage or undercover.
Turn Effects/Filters Off
Your phone has the capability of turning even the most mundane selfie into a beautiful masterpiece with the help of filters and other effects. While this does serve a purpose, it has no place for when you’re taking pictures of your dent & ding damage! Using these effects will distort the image to the point where it may be impossible to provide an accurate estimate. Be sure these extra features are turned off whenever you are taking a photo or shooting a video.
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Typically, 618 Dent Guy will be able to provide estimates for your dent & ding damage by photo or video submissions. However, there may be instances where we simply cannot provide an estimate based on the quality of the photo/video submitted.
Similarly, for extreme situations (like widespread hail damage), we may need to come for an in-person consultation to provide an estimate to you. This does not mean you have to make any extra trips, however – we provide mobile PDR service where we will come to your home or office to take a look at your vehicle of charge. We suggest you try sending in some photos initially, and we will reach out if we need to travel to you to provide a follow-up for an accurate estimate.
