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If hail strikes your car during a storm, it could result in minor scratches or dings, or a serious problem, like a cracked window, windshield, or major body damage. Your auto policy may help cover the costs of hail damage, but you\u2019ll need a type of coverage called comprehensive insurance.<\/p>\n
In this article, we\u2019ll cover the basics of car insurance and hail damage, including how coverage works and the basics of filing a claim.<\/p>\n
Learn more: <\/em>How does car insurance work? The basics explained<\/em>. <\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a bit more about each of those coverages:<\/p>\n Liability insurance<\/strong>: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Collision insurance<\/strong>: <\/strong>Covers some costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it\u2019s damaged in a crash. Collision insurance isn\u2019t a legal requirement in any state, but most lenders require it as a condition of leasing or financing a vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Comprehensive insurance<\/strong>: <\/strong>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\u2019t state-mandated, but it\u2019s a common auto-lender requirement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Learn more: <\/em>The most common types of car insurance explained<\/em><\/p>\n Yes, both comprehensive insurance and collision insurance typically have a deductible, which is an amount you\u2019ll 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.)<\/p>\n Expert tip:<\/em><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n No, liability insurance doesn\u2019t cover hail damage. Liability coverage is required in most states and kicks in when you\u2019re legally responsible for a crash that injures someone or damages their property, whereas comprehensive insurance (which isn\u2019t required in any state) covers hail damage. If you only carry state-mandated auto insurance, you\u2019ll have to foot the bill for hail damage on your own.<\/p>\n If your car sustains hail damage, you\u2019ll need to file an auto insurance claim for reimbursement. You can do so by following these steps:<\/p>\n Check your policy and deductibles: <\/strong>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\u2019t bother filing a claim.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Contact your insurer: <\/strong>You can often initiate your claim by phone, online or through a mobile app, depending on your insurer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Document the damage: <\/strong>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\u2019ve filed the claim.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Get an estimate: <\/strong>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.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Have your car repaired or replaced: <\/strong>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\u2019ll cut a check for the value of the vehicle to you. Your insurer will subtract your deductible from any payout it makes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n 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\u2019s actual cash value (if the car is totaled), as well as your deductible. Your payout will be capped at your policy\u2019s limit.<\/p>\n Learn more: <\/em>Cheapest car insurance<\/em><\/p>\n Filing a comprehensive insurance claim for hail damage typically won\u2019t increase your premium, as you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n Learn more: <\/em>How much does car insurance increase after an accident?<\/em><\/p>\n 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\u2019t open due to the hail damage.<\/p>\n Learn more: <\/em>Best car insurance<\/em><\/p>\n Yes, hail can total your car, particularly after a major storm. Your insurer will compare the estimated repair costs against your vehicle\u2019s cash value. If repair costs are likely to exceed the car\u2019s market value immediately before the damage, your insurance company will total the vehicle. You\u2019ll receive a check for the car\u2019s actual value minus the deductible, up to your policy\u2019s limits.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s hail damage is only cosmetic, you can usually pocket the check instead of using it for repairs as long as your policy doesn\u2019t prohibit it. Keep in mind, though, that even minor dents and dings will affect the car\u2019s resale value. If the damage poses a safety hazard (for example, if the windshield cracked) or affects how the vehicle operates, it\u2019s essential to get it repaired.<\/p>\n Learn more: <\/em>Does insurance cover windshield replacement?<\/em><\/p>\n To decide if a hail damage claim is worth it, you\u2019ll 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\u2019t worth it. But if the repair bill will significantly exceed your deductible, it\u2019s worth filing a claim with your insurance company.<\/p>\n\n
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