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Hailstorms can strike unexpectedly, pelting your car with balls of ice the size of a pea or as large as a grapefruit. When hail of any size damages your car, who's responsible? Comprehensive car insurance typically covers hail damage and pays to repair or replace your vehicle up to its actual cash value, but this coverage isn't necessarily included in your policy.
Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
Full coverage car insurance usually includes comprehensive insurance, which covers damage not caused by a collision, including hail damage. Comprehensive car insurance covers damage from falling or flying objects such as hailstones and tree branches, theft or vandalism, fire, natural disasters or animals (such as rodents under the hood).
It's possible a large hailstone could shatter your car window or windshield and injure you or a passenger inside the car. In this situation, comprehensive insurance won't pay the cost of medical care—it only covers vehicles, not people.
Not every driver has comprehensive car insurance. For example, the minimum car insurance requirements of many states typically don't include comprehensive coverage. You might also drop comprehensive coverage if you own an older, paid-off car that isn't worth much. However, comprehensive insurance is usually required for leased or financed vehicles. Check your policy details or contact your insurance company to see whether you have comprehensive insurance.
Common Signs of Hail Damage
Hailstones can range from pea-sized to 4 inches or more in diameter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The larger they are, the faster they generally fall and the more danger they pose to your vehicle. The largest hailstones can batter your car at speeds of over 100 mph.
Damage from hailstones can include:
- Cosmetic damage, such as small dents or chipped paint
- Cracked or broken windows or windshields
- Smashed headlights, taillights or side mirrors
- Major dents in body panels, which can interfere with operating the vehicle or make it hard to close doors, trunks, tailgates and hoods
- Damage to vehicle safety sensors
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Does Filing a Claim Increase My Insurance Premium?
Filing a comprehensive car insurance claim for hail damage could cause your premiums to rise. The more insurance claims you file, the greater the likelihood that insurance companies will consider you a risky driver and raise your rates.
However, there are many other factors that impact the cost of car insurance, including your age, gender, type of vehicle and location. For example, whether you file a claim or not, your insurance company may raise your premiums if you live in a region where the frequency of hailstorms is on the rise. Texas, Nebraska and Kansas had the largest amount of hail incidents nationwide in 2023, according to NOAA.
Repairing hail damage to a vehicle costs an average of $2,500, the Insurance Information Institute reports. That can be a lot to pay for out of pocket. You'll need to weigh the risk of triggering higher premiums against the cost of repairs and the size of your deductible (more on that below).
Learn more >> Why Did My Car Insurance Go up Without an Accident?
How to File a Claim for Hail Damage
To file an insurance claim for hail damage, follow these steps.
- Collect documentation. You'll need your auto insurance policy number, the date the damage occurred and any photos or videos of the damage to your vehicle.
- Contact the insurance company. You can typically file your claim using your insurer's mobile app, online or by calling the company.
- Work with your claims adjuster. A claims adjuster will inspect the damage, either in person or by using photos you submit through the app. They'll then estimate the cost to repair the damage. If your insurance includes rental car reimbursement coverage, the adjuster may arrange for you to use a rental car while your vehicle is in the shop.
- Have your vehicle repaired. Your insurance company may recommend an auto repair shop, but you can also choose to go with a shop you select. The insurance company may pay the repair shop directly or may send you a check or electronic funds transfer so you can pay them.
Keep in mind your deductible will be subtracted from your insurance payout. It's important to weigh that cost when deciding if filing a claim is worthwhile. For example, if repairs are estimated at $2,500 and your deductible is $2,000, insurance will only cover $500 of the repairs. In this case, it may be worth paying for repairs yourself to avoid filing a claim and risking your insurance premiums going up.
On the other hand, if repairs are estimated at $5,000 and your deductible is $500, insurance will cover $4,500 of the repairs. In this situation, filing a claim makes sense unless you can easily pay $4,500 out of pocket.
If you live in an area where hail damage is common, see if your insurance company offers expanded auto glass coverage. This add-on protection covers windshield and window glass repair with a $0 or minimal deductible. In cases where only your auto glass is damaged by hail, this coverage could save you money by eliminating the need to pay a larger comprehensive deductible.
Learn more >> Is a High Deductible Better Than a Low Deductible?
How to Prevent Hail Damage
You can't always avoid hail damage, but there are some things you can do to help prevent it.
- Park in a garage or covered carport. If you don't have covered parking at home, scope out the nearest public covered parking lot. It may be worth driving there when a severe hailstorm is predicted.
- Purchase a protective car cover. Options range from basic car covers to padded car covers to inflatable car covers that can cost several hundred dollars. Depending on how frequent hail is in your location, these may be worth the investment.
- Use blankets. Thick blankets, comforters, weighted blankets or padded moving blankets can help protect your car. Tuck them into windows and doors to keep them from blowing off in high winds. Don't use duct tape to secure blankets; this can damage your car's finish.
- Park near a building. Tucking your car close to a building or parking under a tree may help minimize hail damage. However, in a severe storm, you'll have to weigh the risk of a tree branch hitting your car.
While they're not ideal, in a pinch you can use flattened cardboard boxes or even your car's floor mats to protect the vehicle's glass or body.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining comprehensive car insurance coverage can help ensure your vehicle is protected when hail hits. While you can't control the weather, you do have some control over your car insurance costs. Increasing your deductible, searching for discounts and regularly shopping around for car insurance could help you lower your premiums. You can use Experian's free car insurance comparison tool to get quotes from multiple top insurers all in one place. It's an easy way to see if switching providers could save you money on car insurance.