During a vacation in Italy with his still-young Tesla Model Y this summer, our reporter not only found that traveling in an electric car is still not that easy without trying to use the practical supercharger network: Tuscany In 2012, Tesla ended in mid-August also saw a violent hailstorm, which fortunately was steep, but largely unprotected. Parts up to the size of a golf ball leave dents around the Model Y, which are hard to see in the photo above but impossible to miss in reality. Back home, it is now revealed that the repair should only cost 3100 euros – which is not yet certain.
Model Y with around 100 hail marks
Fortunately the weather was unlucky: the Model Y’s windows were not damaged—the result of an even more severe hail attack on a Model 3 in Canada around the same time was very different. Only sheet metal parts of our made in China vehicle were visible. Dents remained on all metal components, including the molding around the windows. Our Model Y is insured with workshop binding. The day after the storm, we reported the damage by phone and sent photos by email. A friendly clerk shared the next steps: First, an expert opinion had to be prepared, for which someone would contact us over the phone. Then repairs or a financial arrangement can be followed.
A day later, an appraiser actually called to make an appointment. Only six days after the damage, he was able to test the Model Y, which took about 30 minutes. In the report, they have listed 100 dents spread throughout the vehicle. The entire damage should be repaired for just under 3100 euros. However, the condition is that all repairs are done without painting. The dent only needs to be pulled out again. Probably because of the workshop connection, the appraiser also set an hourly rate of 73.50 euros, which is low for a Tesla.
Tesla Body Shop takes care of repairs
What surprised us: Regarding the rear flap, which was hit hard enough, the expert said the impact of hail on the rear tear-off edge could pose a problem—filling in the area and healing without painting. Its difficult. The local workshop will have to be fixed here. But there is nothing in the report about this. The experts also did not want to tell in the conversation whether the flap could be saved at all. The impacts span a width of more than 50 cm, making it questionable whether their curvature can be accurately recreated.
Another clerk called us after the report came through e-mail. He asked if we wanted to pay for the damage or if we wanted to have it repaired. What will be the benefit of payment? The calculated amount will be transferred directly without sales tax and you can then sell the damaged Model Y with a lower price discount than the insurance compensation predicted. Considering the fact that it is difficult to calculate the delivery time at Tesla, we prefer to keep it, that is, have it repaired. In addition, our Model Y doesn’t end up in cheap workshops because of our commitment to lower premiums: repairs must be made at a Tesla-certified body shop in Leipzig, as we’re glad to learn.
