Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
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During a hailstorm, huge ice balls crash down from the sky at incredible speeds. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hailstones can fall anywhere from 9 to over 100 miles per hour, depending on their size, wind conditions, and other factors.
For this reason, the destruction they leave behind can be massive. Hail can shatter windshields, puncture your car’s bodywork, and create deep dents. This kind of damage is expensive to repair, especially without insurance coverage.
Does car insurance cover hail damage? Understanding your car insurance policy is important because not all types cover these storms. The last thing you want is to get stuck with a hefty repair bill after a hailstorm, only to realize you’re not protected.
When Is Hail Damage Covered by Car Insurance?
Whether your car insurance covers hail damage depends on the type of coverage you have. Hail damage usually falls under comprehensive insurance, which covers weather-related and non-collision incidents that affect your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not covered against hail damage if you only carry one or both of the following:
- Liability insurance: Covers property damages and injuries caused to others in an accident
- Collision insurance: Covers collision-related accidents, no matter who’s at fault
Coverage for hail damage only comes with comprehensive insurance.
Want full coverage? You’ll need collision and comprehensive car insurance on top of liability coverage.
The Role of Comprehensive Insurance in Protecting Your Vehicle
If you live in a hail-prone area, comprehensive coverage offers peace of mind. But what is comprehensive car insurance?
This type of insurance covers theft and non-collision damages to your vehicle. With it, your insurer helps pay for the cost of damages caused by:
- Hailstorm
- Floods
- Fire
- Vandalism
- Falling objects like tree branches
- Car-animal accidents
Common Types of Hail Damage Covered Under Comprehensive Insurance
Your policy will determine which types of hail damage are covered. Common coverage includes:
- Cracks in the windshield, windows, and bodywork
- Frame damage
- Engine damage
- Deep dents and dings throughout the vehicle’s body
Insurers often exclude coverage for cosmetic hail damage, which affects the appearance but not the functionality of the car.
Major hail damage can be irreparable, or repair costs might be higher than the vehicle’s worth, meaning your car is totaled. In that case, if you have comprehensive insurance, your insurer can pay you the vehicle’s actual cash value instead of covering repair expenses.
How Deductibles Affect Your Hail Damage Claim
When buying comprehensive insurance, you agree to pay a certain amount out of pocket to cover damages every time your claim is approved. This amount is called a deductible.
Suppose you have a $300 comprehensive insurance deductible and file a claim for $800 worth of damage after hailstones destroy your windshield and create dents in the bodywork. If your claim is approved, you’ll pay $300 out of pocket, and your insurer will pay the remaining $500.
Steps To File a Claim for Hail Damage
If a hailstorm damages your car and you have comprehensive insurance that covers the specific incident, here’s how to file a claim.
Step 1: Document the Damage Effectively
Your insurance company may ask for proof of damage when you file a claim. You should first take clear photos and videos of all the hail damage you can see on your car. Hailstorms may affect many car parts, including the roof, hood, windows, trunk, and doors.
Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company
Call your insurer to report your loss. A claims assistant will explain the next steps you should take to initiate the claims process.
Most insurance companies let you file claims online, over the phone, or in a mobile app. Starting the process immediately after the storm damage occurs can speed up the payout.
Step 3: Inspection and Repair Process
An adjuster will investigate your car’s hail damage, determine whether your claim is valid, and calculate how much your insurance company should pay for your loss.
If your claim is approved, your insurer will pay the repair or replacement costs minus your deductible.
Your insurance company may pay the repair shop directly. Alternatively, they could have you pay upfront and reimburse you later.
Common Exclusions and Limitations in Hail Damage Coverage
If comprehensive coverage isn’t part of your car insurance policy, hail damage is not covered. Storms and comprehensive insurance go hand in hand.
But even if your auto insurance policy will cover hail damage, insurers may deny your claim under particular circumstances, including:
- Insufficient or lack of evidence that the damage was caused by hail
- Exclusion of coverage for specific types of hail effects to your car, like aesthetic damage
- Pre-existing wear and tear or lack of maintenance is the cause of damage
Tips To Protect Your Car From Hail Damage
The following tips can help reduce or eliminate the need to file for a hail damage claim:
- Use covered parking lots
- Shield your vehicle with a hail car cover if you park outside and suspect a hailstorm is coming
- Monitor severe weather alerts to stay on top of hailstorms
How Hail Damage Affects Your Insurance Premiums
Filing for a hail damage claim may increase your insurance premium when you renew your policy. Even if your insurer doesn’t raise your rate after just one claim, it still ends up in your claims history. And the more insurance claims you rack up over time, the higher the chances of your premium going up.
Get Customized Car Insurance for Hail Coverage
Looking for the cheapest hail coverage? Insurance options vary a lot by ZIP code and driver profile. So the best way to get the insurance you need at the right price is to compare custom options.
With EverQuote, you can compare customized car insurance rates in your area for free in just a few minutes. Get tailored insurance quotes today.
FAQs
Does liability cover hail damage?
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Does full coverage cover hail damage?
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How much will insurance pay for hail damage?
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Does comprehensive coverage cover hail damage?
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Premiums are sourced from over 30,000 zip codes across 200 insurance companies. We estimate premiums based on public filings for policies seeking 50/100 in liability with $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage. Estimated rates are based on a 35-year-old single female with a good credit score and no history of accidents or violations driving a 2023 Toyota RAV4 LE. We partner with Quadrant Information Services to source our data and assume no unique benefits or discounts are applied for these rates (unless otherwise stated). Your own rates may be different.