Hail Damaged My Car
The situation: A hailstorm dented my car all over and cracked the windshield. Is that covered, and which part of my policy pays?
Quick Answer
Hail damage to your car is typically covered under comprehensive coverage, if you carry it, not collision. Your comprehensive deductible generally applies, and a car with heavy hail damage can be declared a total loss if repairs cost more than it's worth. Without comprehensive, the damage is generally your own cost.
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What Happened
A spring storm dropped golf-ball hail on Dana's parked sedan. The roof and hood were covered in dents and the windshield cracked. The repair estimate was $6,800, including paintless dent repair and a new windshield. Dana had comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible, so the claim would pay about $5,800. Her insurer inspected the car and confirmed the estimate.
Likely Relevant Policies
- Auto Insurance
Potential Coverages
Comprehensive Coverage High likelihood
Hail is one of the causes the Texas Department of Insurance lists under comprehensive.
Possible Exclusions
- Without comprehensive coverage, hail damage is generally not covered.
- Prior unrepaired damage may be excluded from the new claim.
Questions That Determine Coverage
- Do you carry comprehensive, and what's the deductible?
- Is there earlier damage the insurer might separate out?
- What do repair estimates show compared with the car's value?
Recommended Immediate Actions
- Photograph the damage from several angles.
- Get the car somewhere covered if more storms are coming.
- Get a repair estimate.
- Report the claim.
Documents to Collect
- Photos
- Repair estimate
- Weather reports for the date, if available
Common Claim Process
The insurer inspects the car, often at a drive-in hail center after big storms, and pays the repair cost less the deductible. If repairs exceed the car's value, it may be declared a total loss and paid at actual cash value.
Potential Outcomes
- Repairs paid under comprehensive, less the deductible.
- Heavy damage on an older car can lead to a total loss.
- Without comprehensive, no coverage for the hail damage.
Risk Prevention Tips
- Park in a garage or covered spot when hail is forecast.
- Check your comprehensive deductible before storm season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hail damage collision or comprehensive?
Comprehensive.
Can hail total a car?
Yes, if repairs cost more than the car is worth, depending on the insurer's total-loss rules.
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The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- Auto insurance guideTexas Department of Insurance
Educational information, not advice: This scenario describes how a loss like this commonly goes, not how your claim will be decided. Coverage depends on your policy's wording, limits and deductibles, your state, and the facts. Confirm specifics with your insurer.