Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage? (2023)

Hailstorms are common in the United States. The country saw more than 4,600 major hailstorms in 2020 alone, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.^[1]

Fortunately, most home insurance policies cover hail damage. With auto insurance, though, it depends on the type of policy you have. If you just have the bare-minimum liability coverage, your insurer probably won’t pay for damage from hail. Comprehensive policies, on the other hand, usually will.

If you live in a hail-prone area, here’s what to know about hail and car insurance coverage.

When does car insurance cover hail damage?

Car insurance usually only covers hail damage if you have comprehensive coverage — a type of add-on coverage that covers non-collision related damage to your vehicle, like damage from natural disasters, hail, animals, falling objects, and more. State laws don’t require drivers to have comprehensive coverage — only liability insurance, which doesn’t cover hail damage.

“You need a comprehensive policy for hail damage coverage,” says Zach Lazzari, owner of Crossborder Coverage. “Liability won’t cover you in any state for hail damage or other naturally occurring events.”

Other types of insurance — including collision, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage — won’t extend to hail damage either. Comprehensive insurance coverage is the only type of auto policy that covers hail damage.

How much does comprehensive coverage cost?

The cost of comprehensive insurance depends on a lot of factors, including the amount of coverage you get, the type of car you have, your location, your car’s value, your credit score (in most areas), and your driving history.^[2]

The insurance company you choose will also play a role in how much you’ll pay for comprehensive coverage. See below for a look at the average cost for some of the most popular insurers.

How much does it cost to repair hail damage to a car?

The repair costs for hail damage largely depend on the number of dents on the vehicle and where the dents are located. You can expect to pay $30 to $325 per dent. In some cases, a car can be totaled by hail — meaning the cost of the repairs outweighs its value.

Is it worth filing a hail damage claim for a car?

It depends on the amount of damage and your deductible, as well as other factors. If your deductible is $500 and your car sustains a few dents that cost less than $500 to repair, it might not be worth filing a claim. In this scenario, the damage would likely cost less than your deductible to repair, so your insurer wouldn’t chip in at all.

Additionally, filing a hail damage claim can, in many cases, increase your policy’s premiums, says Lazzari.

If higher premiums would pose a financial challenge, then filing a claim — particularly if the damage is minimal — may not be worth it.

How to file an auto insurance claim for hail damage

If you have comprehensive coverage and a hailstorm damages your car, you can file a claim with your insurer for the repairs.

Here’s what that process looks like:

1. File the claim. The exact process depends on your car insurance company, but you can usually call your agent, file a claim online, or use your insurer’s mobile app to get started.

2. Have the damage assessed. Your insurer will send out an assessor (if the car is undrivable) or recommend an approved auto body shop where you can have the damage evaluated. When the assessment is done, the assessor or shop should give you an estimate of the total repair cost.

3. Get the car repaired. In some cases, your insurer may write you a check you can cash and then put toward the repairs. In others, you may need to get the car repaired and then wait for reimbursement.

If your car suffers too much hail damage, it may be considered a total loss.

“When damage will cost more to repair than the vehicle value, the value is compensated [to the policyholder], minus the deductible,” Lazzari says. “The vehicle receives a salvage title and is often scrapped altogether.”

How is hail damage assessed on your car?

An insurance adjuster or approved auto body shop will assess the hail damage to your car. Once the insurance company has the estimate for your repairs, it’ll issue a check — minus your deductible — which you can cash and use to cover your repairs. Sometimes, the insurer may reimburse you after the repairs are complete.

If you think your insurance company is offering you too little to repair the car (or too little if it’s totaled), you may be able to negotiate. This would require getting extra estimates for the repair (or the car’s value) and negotiating with your insurer directly. You can also file a complaint with your state’s insurance department if you feel the insurer has mishandled your claim.

How to protect your car from hail damage

With hail damage, the cost of repairs can add up quickly. Even with comprehensive coverage, you’d still owe your deductible.

To avoid these costs, it’s best to protect your car from hail damage from the start. You can:

• Park your car in a covered area before storms. You can move it to your garage, under an awning, or into a carport — anywhere that will protect it from falling hail.

• Cover your car. Car covers, also called hail protection blankets, can protect your car from damage in a storm. You can buy these online or at car supply stores. If you’re short on funds, you can use your car’s floor mats or blankets from your home to protect the vehicle.

• Stay on top of weather alerts. Download a weather app to your phone, and make sure you’re aware of any brewing storms. The more proactive you can be, the better.

You should also know how prone your area is to hailstorms. If hail is common, think ahead and have a plan. Where could you move your car if a storm is coming? Talk to neighbors, friends, and family members if you don’t have a covered garage or carport.

Hail damage car insurance FAQs