AUSTIN, Texas — Since a North Austin auto body repair shop closed its doors in August, more customers have reached out to the KVUE Defenders, concerned about getting their cars back.
Laura Zendejas took her car to Hail Specialists Auto Body and Collision in July to fix accident damage. But the Del Valle resident said she started to worry when she couldn't get repair updates after about a month.
"The reason why I contacted you is because I've been dealing with the Hail Specialists, trying to get my vehicle back," Zendejas said. "They wanted me to pay [an] outstanding balance that my insurance is not paying for."
Zendejas is just like other customers who told the Defenders about similar issues earlier this year.
She said she called, texted and emailed Hail Specialists several times in August and September. She also said her bank, which carries her car loan, told her to report the car stolen. She did that in late August.
Zendejas said Hail Specialists finally notified her in late September that she could pick up her car if she paid the outstanding balance of a little more than $5,000.
Emails show Zendejas' insurance already paid $4,082.37 of Hail Specialists' estimate of $8,497.32 – a balance Zendejas said her insurance refused to pay and that she couldn't pay.
She said she was luckily able to pick up her car without the additional funds, but shop employees are still asking for the money.
The Austin Police Department told the Defenders that investigators are looking into a few cases related to Hail Specialists at this time, but can't say more until the investigations are finished.
The Defenders also reached out to the owner of Hail Specialists, but we haven't heard back.