Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Storms are no match for certain types of insurance coverage, but hail-damage repairs may nevertheless take a while.

Sami Haj-Assaad | 

Dec 18, 2024 | 3 min read

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Hail Can Damage Every Surface of Your Car

A hailstorm can cause substantial damage to an unprotected car. Depending on the storm's severity, hail can impact and dent almost every exterior body panel. In addition to body damage, hail can chip or crack windshields, windows, and light housings.

Getting these items fixed can be a lengthy process that requires patience. For example, it may not be possible to eliminate all the dents in one go — some dents might be larger than others and could require paint repair in addition to smoothing out the sheetmetal. It can take time for parts to be ordered and repair work to commence. Expect hail damage repairs to vary from $30 to more than $75 per dent, depending on the size of the damage.

Insurance Coverage for Hail Damage

Depending on your coverage, your insurer may reimburse you for the damage caused by hail. If you have comprehensive or full coverage, the insurer will likely be able to assess and cover the damage caused by the storm, leaving you to pay your deductible. Some coverage plans include reimbursement for a rental vehicle, which is handy if repairs for the hail damage take longer than expected.

If you only have collision or liability coverage, however, then you will probably be on the hook for the repair costs.

Paying for Hail-Damage Repair Might Be Smarter

Whether or not you submit an insurance claim could come down to how high your deductible is. If you decide to go through your insurance company with repairs, it could affect your future premiums, which often increase after a claim.

Involving your insurance company in your car's hail-damage repair might also raise other issues. For example, hailstorms can damage many cars in a wide area. Your insurance provider could be overwhelmed with requests from clients seeking coverage, so it might take a while before an insurance adjuster can inspect your vehicle's damage and provide a check to cover the damages.

An insurance provider might also claim the damages exceed the vehicle's value, which could result in your being encouraged to replace your vehicle or deal with it receiving a rebuilt or salvage title. Such titles can affect a vehicle's resale value.

Another option is to get an estimate from a third-party shop in addition to one from a company on your insurance's preferred-vendor list. A neutral third party can likely give you an idea of how long repairs will take and how much they will cost. Compare the estimate with the information provided by your insurance company.

Some insurance providers will let you use a body shop of your choice, so exploring this option could help get your vehicle fixed sooner.

Sami Haj-Assaad

Sami Haj-Assaad is an award-winning automotive journalist who has contributed to several automotive, electric vehicle, luxury lifestyle, and technology publications. His work isn't just limited to the written word, as he's also hosted YouTube videos and podcasts. Having grown up in the '90s, he has a strong sense of attachment to that era's style, though he also loves to geek out about the modern, futuristic tech and powertrains rolling out today.