Waiting times for car repairs have ballooned to more than 12 months at some car repairers in Sydney after December's hailstorm damaged tens of thousands of cars across the city.

In its latest figures, the Insurance Council of Australia reported its members had received more than 71,000 motor vehicle claims resulting from the storm, which dumped golf ball-sized hailstones across large parts of Sydney.

Tim Culpan is working 12-hour days to cope with demand after December's hailstorm. Credit:Louise Kennerley

Tim Culpan, manager of Super Smash Repairs in Rosebery, has worked in the industry for almost 30 years and said this storm was the worst since a record-breaking storm in 1999 resulted in $1.7 billion worth of damages.

"It was huge," Mr Culpan said of the December downpour. "Whereas we would normally book in two or three weeks in advance, we will be booking up to 12 months, maybe longer with hail. I think that goes to tell you how much work there is around."