Auto insurance hail claims allow you to seek compensation for vehicle damage caused by hail, typically covered under comprehensive insurance. It’s essential to report the damage promptly to ensure smooth claim processing with your insurer.
Insurance claims for hail damage are rising, and hail claims are especially problematic in states like Texas, Nebraska and Kansas.
- Texas had the highest number of hail damage claims in 2023.
- Comprehensive coverage protects against weather events like hail.
- Liability insurance provides zero coverage for hail events.
Which states have a high number of hail events?
Texas, Nebraska and Kansas are the top three states for hail events in 2023, followed by Colorado and Missouri, which both had 400 hail events in 2023 but didn’t make the top five in 2022. Below, see the table of hail events in the top three states in 2022 and 2023.
| State | Number of hail events in 2022 | Number of hail events in 2023 |
| Texas | 458 | 1,123 |
| Nebraska | 399 | 486 |
| Kansas | 289 | 459 |
| United States | 4,436 | 6,962 |
How does car insurance work when it comes to hail claims?
If your vehicle is dinged by ice balls falling from the sky, you can decide to live with the cosmetic damage or you may want to file a hail damage claim to have it repaired. Before you reach for your car insurance card, here are a few considerations:
- You must have comprehensive insurance coverage. This protection covers theft, vandalism, weather events and animal strikes.
- You will have to pay your deductible. Assess the repair costs – if you have just a few dents, the cost to fix your car will not exceed your deductible. Major hail damage could be several thousand dollars and can total a car, in which case a claim makes sense. But for minor damage, you might want to visit a paintless dent repair shop to avoid a claim.
- If you file a claim, have the insurance adjuster inspect your car in the shade or a garage because bright sunlight can obscure dents.
- Once your insurance company completes its estimate, take your vehicle to a repair shop and get a comparison estimate. If there’s a big discrepancy, the repair shop can contact your insurer and ask for a revised estimate or approval of its estimate.
If you need to add comprehensive coverage to your vehicle, check with your current car insurance company and comparison shop to make sure you have the best rate.
How do you file a car insurance claim for hail damage?
Document the damage: Take clear photos of all visible hail damage to your car, including dents, cracked windows and any other harm caused by the hailstorm.
Review your policy: Check your auto insurance policy for comprehensive coverage, as hail damage is covered under this part of the policy.
Contact your insurance company: Report the hail damage to your insurance provider as soon as possible and inquire about the next steps for filing a claim.
Schedule an inspection: An insurance adjuster may inspect the damage to estimate repair costs; your insurer will advise on this process.
Get repair estimates: Obtain estimates from approved repair shops (if required by your insurer) or bring the car to a repair facility they recommend.
Pay your deductible: Remember that you will be responsible for the deductible amount specified in your policy before coverage applies to repairs.
Follow up on the claim: Keep in touch with your insurer if there are any delays or questions about the claim process to ensure timely repairs and reimbursement.
Learn more about filing a hail damage claim with your old insurer after switching.
Can hail damage total your car?
Hail damage can total your car if the repair costs exceed its actual cash value (ACV). When severe hail damage causes extensive dents, broken glass, or structural harm, insurance companies may decide it’s more cost-effective to declare the car a total loss rather than pay for repairs.
This often depends on the car’s age, pre-damage condition, and current market value. If your vehicle is totaled due to hail, your insurance policy’s comprehensive coverage can help cover the ACV minus your deductible.
Can hail damage increase your car insurance premiums?
Yes, filing a hail damage claim can potentially increase your car insurance premiums, although this depends on your insurer and policy. Hail damage is typically covered under comprehensive insurance, which generally isn’t associated with higher premiums as much as collision claims are. However, if you live in an area prone to frequent hailstorms or severe weather, insurers may adjust rates over time for all drivers in the region.
To avoid possible premium increases, consider covering smaller repairs yourself and saving comprehensive claims for significant hail damage.
Can hail damage be repaired?
Yes, hail damage can be repaired, and the method depends on the severity of the dents and cracks. For minor dents, paintless dent repair (PDR) is often used, which involves reshaping the metal without affecting the car’s paint. More severe damage may require traditional bodywork, where the damaged panels are filled, sanded, and repainted.
Cracked or shattered glass, like windshields or windows, can also be replaced. Comprehensive insurance usually covers hail repair costs, but you’ll need to pay your deductible before coverage kicks in.
Sources
Insurance Information Institute. “Facts + Statistics: Hail.” Accessed October 2024.
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