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If you’ve ever purchased a vehicle, you probably remember the many add-ons and warranties offered to you. For many, it is difficult to understand which are necessary and which are simply a waste of money.

In this article, 618 Dent Guy breaks down how a dent & ding warranty typically works – and why it may be in your (and your wallet’s) best interest to simply go directly to a local PDR technician instead. 

What is a Ding & Dent Repair Warranty?

Written to seem similar to many insurance policies, a dent warranty allegedly covers dent damage that occurs to your vehicle. However, you won’t see these deals offered directly by your dealership or manufacturer, but are rather provided at a marked-up rate by a third-party provider who would handle your claim.

This is because you are not insured, but rather included in a club (much like AAA). As you would need to work with this third-party provider if you sustain dent damage that needs to be repaired, you will quickly find out some of the pitfalls of this warranty.

Most Vehicle Owners Are Already Protected from Dent/Ding Damage

Those who have purchased a new vehicle must have auto insurance that includes coverage for various levels of damage – including dents/dings. Therefore, you can utilize this resource to assist you with finding a reliable paintless dent repair company to take care of dents of all sizes as well as hail damage repair.

Most PDR companies like 618 Dent Guy are more than happy to work with your insurance provider if you decide to file a claim after sustaining dent/ding damage. 

However, unlike dent & ding warranty plans, you have the freedom to use whichever company you like to perform your vehicle repair – even if you don’t wish to involve your insurance company at that time.

You can simply make a Google search for “best PDR company” or “mobile paintless dent repair near me” to view the top-rated and most convenient businesses that can help you out. Similarly, your insurance provider may also have a list of recommended companies to utilize.

Dent Protection Warranties Are Not Provided By Dent Repair Experts

Unfortunately, the reality of these programs is that the providers (both the companies that provide the warranty and the dealerships shilling them) are simply looking to make a quick buck. This means that if they do receive a claim, the warranty provider will not have the industry expertise to correctly estimate the damage, and no incentive to use a moderately-priced PDR company; they will go for the cheapest one every time.

Similarly, they do not directly hire paintless dent repair experts but will instead sell your claim to a technician of their choice to handle instead, so they cannot vouch for the quality level of the service provided.

There are plenty of ways to find reliable and cost-efficient PDR companies near you to use for your dent or hail damage repair that you can trust. Here are a few tips to look out for when researching each paintless dent repair company:

  • Are There Great PDR Testimonials?: Does the company have PDR testimonials from real customers on their website?
  • Do They Have Active Social Media Profiles: Do they post frequently on social media/Google My Business and engage with their audience? Do they have positive reviews there as well?
  • What Is Their Better Business Bureau Score: Is the company rated highly on BBB? If there have been any complaints or claims against the company, they will usually show up here.
  • Do They Provide Mobile PDR?: Some PDR providers will offer mobile paintless dent repair – a convenient perk meaning they will come to you to either repair the vehicle on-site or transport the vehicle back to their location for repairs and then return it to your home or office.

What Will Dent & Ding Warranties Cover?

Unfortunately, not a lot. These companies have done their due diligence in closely studying the location and severity of the most common dent/ding claims, and have covertly excluded coverage for those in their contracts. As many people either don’t fully read their terms or don’t understand them, they get caught signing for a lot less coverage than they initially thought. 

Here are a few common exclusions often seen on dent repair warranty plans:

  • Dents that are over 3 inches in diameter (large dent repair)
  • Dent damage caused by collision damage
  • Hail damage repair
  • Dents that are obstructed or difficult to access

The amount of damage that this leaves unprotected is astounding considering the amount of money they expect you to pay for the plan. Especially for those living in the Illinois/Missouri area where hail is so prevalent, not having coverage for hail damage would be a nightmare. 

Bottom Line: Get Your Dent Repair Completed Directly By PDR Professionals

Ultimately, it is less costly and a lot more convenient to simply go to a local PDR company in your area for any dent repair needs. You will be more in control of who works on your vehicle, and you won’t have to pay a premium for a service that may end up being lower than your standards.

At 618 Dent Guy, we guarantee your satisfaction and take pride in restoring dented vehicles back to factory-new condition!

Contact us today for an estimate or to schedule an appointment.

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