What To Do If Your Car Door Has Been Dented In A Shopping Lot

If you park in shopping center parking lots, then you are at risk of getting dents in your car. People are often reckless with their shopping carts. When they are done packing their car, they might let the carts roll away. These wayward carts can cause small dents in your car door.

Someone parking too close and hitting your car when they open their door can cause a more severe dent. Also, don't underestimate the times when a person might maliciously hit your car.

Whatever the reason, you can come out from a shopping trip and find that your car has a dent in it. So, what can you do?

Assess The Damage And Take Photos

The first thing you need to do is check out the dent and see how bad it is. Is it a small dent or a large one? Is the paint chipped? You should take photos of the dent as well as the surroundings. These photos can be used if you decide to make an insurance claim.

Seek Out Surveillance Footage

If the dent is really bad, you might be dealing with a hit-and-run. In that case, you want to be able to track down the other driver. Many stores have security cameras recording their parking lots. You should check to see if there is footage of the accident. If there is, then you can supply this to the police when you make an accident report.

Don't Fall For The Parking Lot Scammers

One thing you should avoid are the scam artists who offer to fix scratches and dents. These groups will hang around parking lots and offer to do bodywork for a low price. The problem is that often the bodywork is shoddy and can cause more damage than was originally present.

Can You Fix It Yourself Or Should You Visit A Professional

That depends on your skill level and the size of the dent. If it's a small dent and there is no paint damage, then you might want to try a dent removal kit. These are designed for people to use to remove very small dents. The basic principal behind the kit is suction. They work by "pulling" the dent out. You attach a suction cup device to the dent and physically pull out the dent.

The problem with this method is that it only works on small dents. Also, you need to be strong. If there is any paint damage, or cracks in the metal, you will need to go to a professional body shop. A dent that needs to be filled, sanded, and painted is a major task. It's best to leave this to the audobody car repairs professionals.

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