1. If it was storm damage it would be a comp. claim which does not count toward a higher insurance rate.

2. As a renter of Hertz multimonth contracts the last several years I have gone through the claim process many times (three deer hits in 2 years). Hertz is actually cheaper repairing their cars then if you take it to a body shop. (which you are not suppose to do). They bill you actual repair cost where they get like a 50% discount on parts and labor is also below market rates. (My guess is body shops fight hard to get Hertz's business because of the high volume.