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As the air turns crisp and cold, winter storms can roll in and unleash a surprise attack. One moment your car is parked under holiday lights, and the next it’s being pelted by ice balls. A hailstorm can crack your windshield, ding or dent up your roof, hood, and more.
Your auto policy can cover hail’s icy assault, but only if you have the right coverage. Comprehensive coverage pays for such repairs, while a basic liability-only policy will leave you out in the cold. Here’s what you need to know about car insurance, hail damage and filing a claim.
Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained.
What type of car insurance covers hail damage?
Comprehensive coverage is the type of car insurance that covers you against hail damage. According to 2022 data from the Insurance Information Institute, 80 percent of insured drivers purchase comprehensive coverage in addition to liability insurance, and 77 percent buy collision coverage.
Here’s a bit more about each of those coverages:
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Liability insurance: Helps pay for medical bills and legal expenses if you cause a crash that injures someone else or damages their property. Liability insurance is required by nearly every state.
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Collision insurance: Covers some costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it’s damaged in a crash. Collision insurance isn’t a legal requirement in any state, but most lenders require it as a condition of leasing or financing a vehicle.
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Comprehensive insurance: Kicks in if your vehicle is stolen or vandalized, or is damaged by a severe weather event (like hail, storms, hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes), a falling tree or object, or a collision with an animal. Like collision insurance, comprehensive insurance isn’t state-mandated, but it’s a common auto-lender requirement.
Learn more: The most common types of car insurance explained
Is there a deductible for comprehensive insurance?
Yes, both comprehensive insurance and collision insurance typically have a deductible, which is an amount you’ll have to pay out of pocket before coverage kicks in. (However, depending on your state and insurer, a deductible might not apply if you need your windshield replaced.)
Expert tip: Choosing higher auto insurance deductibles often lowers your car insurance premiums, whereas lower deductibles usually come with higher premiums. The most common deductible is $500, so choosing $750 or $1,000 may help you save. Just make sure to select an amount you can afford if you file a claim.
Does liability cover hail damage?
No, liability insurance doesn’t cover hail damage. Liability coverage is required in most states and kicks in when you’re legally responsible for a crash that injures someone or damages their property, whereas comprehensive insurance (which isn’t required in any state) covers hail damage. If you only carry state-mandated auto insurance, you’ll have to foot the bill for hail damage on your own.
How to file a car insurance claim for hail damage
If your car sustains hail damage, you’ll need to file an auto insurance claim for reimbursement. You can do so by following these steps:
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Check your policy and deductibles: Before starting a claim, check your policy to confirm that you have comprehensive coverage and make note of your deductibles. If the damage is fairly minor, repair costs could be lower than your deductible, in which case you wouldn’t bother filing a claim.
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Contact your insurer: You can often initiate your claim by phone, online or through a mobile app, depending on your insurer.
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Document the damage: Take photos or videos as evidence after your car is damaged by hail. You can send the images or video to your carrier or insurance adjuster after you’ve filed the claim.
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Get an estimate: Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage. However, some insurers require you to get an estimate on your own. Your insurance company will use the estimate to determine your payout.
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Have your car repaired or replaced: Once your claim is approved, you can take your car to whatever repair shop you choose. Your insurer will send the payment directly to the mechanic. If your insurer determines your car is totaled or damaged beyond repair, they’ll cut a check for the value of the vehicle to you. Your insurer will subtract your deductible from any payout it makes.
What is the average insurance payout for a hail-damaged car?
According to State Farm data, the average insurance payout for a hail-damaged car was around $5,000 in 2021. Your exact payout will depend on repair costs (if the car is salvageable) or the car’s actual cash value (if the car is totaled), as well as your deductible. Your payout will be capped at your policy’s limit.
Learn more: Cheapest car insurance
Will my insurance go up if I file a claim for hail damage?
Filing a comprehensive insurance claim for hail damage typically won’t increase your premium, as you’re not at fault. However, you could still see your rates rise after a major hailstorm or another severe weather event as insurers attempt to recover their losses. Insurers also adjust their risk models to estimate the likelihood of similar events following a major disaster, which can lead to higher rates.
Learn more: How much does car insurance increase after an accident?
How is hail damage repaired?
If your vehicle has minor cosmetic hail damage, a body shop may be able to repair it using a technique called paintless dent repair. The repair shop will repair dents using tools to gently apply pressure to the backside and stretch the metal until the dent disappears without repainting or refinishing the surface. However, if hail causes the paint to chip away, more extensive repairs are usually needed. Your car will also require substantial repairs in some circumstances, like if the windshield shattered or your car doors or trunk won’t open due to the hail damage.
Learn more: Best car insurance
Can hail total my car?
Yes, hail can total your car, particularly after a major storm. Your insurer will compare the estimated repair costs against your vehicle’s cash value. If repair costs are likely to exceed the car’s market value immediately before the damage, your insurance company will total the vehicle. You’ll receive a check for the car’s actual value minus the deductible, up to your policy’s limits.
Do I have to fix hail damage with insurance money?
Your lender may require you to use insurance proceeds to repair hail damage if your car is financed or leased since the lender has a financial stake in your vehicle’s condition. If your car is totaled and you still owe money on it, your insurer will pay the lender first to satisfy the lien and send you any remaining funds. Your payout will go directly to the leasing company if you lease your vehicle.
You have a lot more leeway in deciding how to use insurance money for hail damage if you own your car outright. If your car’s hail damage is only cosmetic, you can usually pocket the check instead of using it for repairs as long as your policy doesn’t prohibit it. Keep in mind, though, that even minor dents and dings will affect the car’s resale value. If the damage poses a safety hazard (for example, if the windshield cracked) or affects how the vehicle operates, it’s essential to get it repaired.
Learn more: Does insurance cover windshield replacement?
Is a hail damage claim worth it?
To decide if a hail damage claim is worth it, you’ll need to look at the extent of the damage and your deductible. If the damage is fairly minor and will cost less than your deductible to repair, filing a hail damage claim isn’t worth it. But if the repair bill will significantly exceed your deductible, it’s worth filing a claim with your insurance company.
Tim Manni edited this article.
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