A hailstorm that hit Estevan last year continues to have lasting effects, with thousands of vehicles still awaiting repairs. CarStar Hail Otto Estevan, led by owner and president Dan Rawlyk, is working to address the backlog by expanding operations and incorporating new technology to improve efficiency.
Rawlyk said Estevan has one of the highest per capita rates of hail-damaged vehicles in North America due to the severity of last year’s storm. To help manage the demand, CarStar has introduced the Drive and Scan system, a European technology that automates damage assessment by taking over 2,000 images and creating a video estimate for insurance claims.
With repairs expected to take several years, CarStar has expanded its operations. The company recently acquired a semi-trailer hauler to transport vehicles to its 20,000-square-foot Saskatoon facility for additional repairs. While paintless dent repair (PDR) is completed first in Estevan, about 90 per cent of vehicles also require conventional repairs such as repainting, which takes more time.
“If we don’t transport vehicles to Saskatoon, we will never get through the backlog,” Rawlyk said. “Without additional capacity, it could take over five years to complete the necessary repairs.”
CarStar is currently repairing 35 to 40 vehicles per week, which Rawlyk said is more than most local collision centres can manage. To help increase capacity, the company is opening a second facility on Service Road with an additional paint booth and refinishing system.
The business has also expanded its workforce. The Estevan team includes experienced service writers from local dealerships, and the number of employees is expected to grow from 18 to over 50 across both locations in the coming months.
Rawlyk estimated that approximately 6,000 vehicles were damaged in the storm, with an average of 30 man-hours required per car. He said the overall repair capacity in the region is not enough to meet the demand.
“People don’t realize how much work needs to be done,” he said. “Many assume their vehicles will be repaired quickly after booking an appointment, but every shop is overloaded. Some have even stopped taking hail repairs this winter to focus on standard collision work.”
CarStar offers insurance claim assistance, allowing customers to provide a claim number and have the company manage the process.
As repairs continue, CarStar has expanded its operations to help address the backlog and reduce wait times for vehicle owners in the area. CarStar has locations in both Estevan and Saskatoon. While the Saskatoon shop has been in business for 38 years, the company expanded to Estevan in December, acquiring a local body shop previously owned by Bill Fonstad.