Is Hail Damage Covered by Car Insurance
Hail damage is covered if you carry comprehensive coverage, but not if you only carry liability.
Comprehensive coverage pays for hail damage
Hail damage falls under comprehensive coverage, the part of your policy that pays for damage not caused by a collision. Wind, fire, falling branches, and hail all fall into that same category.
If your policy only has liability coverage, hail damage isn't covered at all. Liability pays for damage you cause to other people or their property. It doesn't pay to fix your own car. Whether you have comprehensive coverage is something you can check on your declarations page or by calling your insurer directly.
Whether you carry comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage is optional once your car is paid off. Some drivers drop it to save money, especially on an older car. If you did that, a hailstorm comes out of your own pocket.
If you're still paying off a loan or lease, your lender almost always requires comprehensive coverage as a condition of the loan. In that case you likely already have it, but it's worth confirming the coverage is still active and hasn't lapsed.
If you're not sure which coverages you have, your declarations page will list them by name. Comprehensive is sometimes also called 'other than collision' on the paperwork, so look for either term.
Your deductible decides whether it's worth filing
Comprehensive coverage comes with its own deductible, separate from your collision deductible. You pay that amount before your insurer pays the rest.
For a hailstorm, the damage is often dents across the hood, roof, and trunk rather than one bad spot. An auto body shop or your insurer's adjuster can give you an estimate of the total repair cost before you decide to file.
If the estimated repair cost is close to or below your deductible, filing a claim may not make sense, since you'd be paying most or all of the cost yourself anyway. If the damage is well above your deductible, filing is usually the better move.
Filing a comprehensive claim for weather damage is generally treated differently than an at-fault accident claim, but whether it affects your rate at renewal depends on your insurer. Ask them directly how they handle comprehensive claims before you file.
Questions people ask about this
Does filing a hail damage claim raise my rate?
It depends on your insurer. Some insurers treat comprehensive claims, including weather damage, as no-fault events that don't affect your premium. Others factor in any claim history regardless of fault. Ask your insurer how they classify comprehensive claims before you decide to file.
What if I have an older car with no comprehensive coverage?
Without comprehensive coverage, hail damage repairs come out of your own pocket. You can add comprehensive coverage going forward, but it won't cover damage that already happened. If your car is older, weigh the cost of adding the coverage against what the car is worth and how often hail is a risk where you live.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?
This is set by your insurer and sometimes by state law, and it varies. Some insurers expect a claim soon after the storm, others allow more time. Check your policy documents or call your insurer to confirm the window for your specific policy.
Will my insurer total my car for hail damage?
An insurer totals a car when the cost to repair it is close to or more than what the car is worth. Hail damage is usually cosmetic dents rather than damage to the frame or mechanical parts, so total losses from hail alone are less common, but a car with many years of wear and a lower value is more likely to be totaled than a newer one.
Does a hail damage claim affect my ability to get a new policy later?
Insurers can see your claims history when you apply for a new policy, including comprehensive claims. How much weight they give a weather-related claim versus an at-fault accident varies by insurer. If you're shopping for a new policy after a hail claim, it's reasonable to ask how that claim will factor into your quote.
See how comprehensive coverage and deductibles compare across insurers before your next renewal.
Pull out your declarations page this week and check whether comprehensive coverage is listed. If it is, note your deductible so you know it before you ever need it. If hail has already hit your car, get a repair estimate from a body shop before you call your insurer, so you can compare that number to your deductible. If you don't have comprehensive coverage and live somewhere hail is common, ask your insurer what it would cost to add it. Either way, ask directly how a comprehensive claim would affect your rate at renewal, since that answer depends on the insurer and not on any general rule.
