Does My Auto Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Hail storms can dent your vehicle, scratch paint, and even damage your car’s mechanical systems in extreme cases.

You can take precautions when you know hail is coming — like parking in a garage or using a car covering. But, to be truly protected, you’ll want to have insurance that covers hail damage repair as well.

With this guide, we’ll show you how to purchase auto insurance that covers repair costs for minor and severe hail damage.

Once we’ve answered your questions about auto insurance for hail, enter your ZIP code in our free online tool to compare rates and find the most affordable auto insurance that covers hail damage.

Does auto insurance cover hail damage?

Yes, most auto insurance providers can cover hail damage to your car, but you need to have the right type of policy first.

Auto collision insurance will not protect you from falling objects, like hail. Likewise, auto liability insurance — the kind that covers damage you cause to other vehicles and is required by most states — won’t cover you here.

Comprehensive auto insurance coverage is the type of insurance that protects your vehicle from hail damage of all kinds. Since insurers don’t provide specific hail insurance, comprehensive insurance policies cover much more than damage from harsh weather.

Comprehensive coverage tends to include the following:

• Natural disasters (such as severe hail storms)
• Fire
• Animals (as in a collision involving deer or damage from rodents)
• Theft (not including any items left in the vehicle when it’s stolen)
• Vandalism
• Falling objects (like hail)
• Windshield replacement

Where can I buy comprehensive auto insurance that covers hail damage?

Finding auto insurance that covers hail damage is easy: contact a major auto insurer or a trusted alternative in your area and ask about its comprehensive coverage options.

Blanket protection from hail is a standard component of most comprehensive auto insurance plans, so you won’t have to look too hard to find a satisfactory option.

If you’re happy with your current auto insurance plan, you can contact your insurer directly to add comprehensive coverage. If you’re looking for a new auto insurance policy, we recommend comparing multiple auto insurance companies before you buy.

Going by market share, State Farm, Progressive, and Geico are the top insurance providers in the United States, so you may find it helpful to start by comparing these options.

How do I submit a claim for hail damage repair?

If you need to submit an insurance claim for hail damage to your vehicle, take plenty of pictures of dents, marks, and other damage. By documenting hail damage as early as possible, you make the claim process easier and help ensure that you’ll receive a fair payout.

Likewise, you should contact an insurance professional right away since there’s a good chance you’re not the only one in your area affected by the hail.

Certain insurance companies also offer mobile apps you can use to file your claim and upload photos of your vehicle.

What does hail damage look like?

• Most often: Hail damage is superficial, leaving small dents on your car’s body and cracks on your windshield.
• More severe cases: Hail scratches the paint on your vehicle and/or shatters your windshield entirely.
• Worst-case scenarios: Hail hits the wrong spot and leads to costly mechanical problems and/or hail breaks through your windshield, causing water damage.

It’s worth keeping in mind that hail damage that doesn’t affect the mechanical parts of your vehicle can still leave your car ‘totaled’ by insurance standards.

Essentially, suppose the cost of superficial hail damage repair to your vehicle is greater than the value of the vehicle itself. In that case, your insurer may opt to replace your car or pay you for the value of the vehicle instead of covering the hail dent repairs.

How do I protect my vehicle from hail storms?

Fortunately, comprehensive auto insurance will cover hail damage no matter how severe, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile to take steps to protect your vehicle if you know a hail storm is on its way.

Ideally, you could park your car in a garage or other covered area. If that’s not an option, covering your vehicle with a protective sheet designed specifically for hail is your best option.

That said, a good car cover can be expensive. You may also not have time to track one down if time is of the essence. In a pinch, Oklahoma’s News 4 recommends using moving blankets, cardboard boxes, or bags of potting soil to shield your vehicle from hail.

Where in the United States are hail storms most common?

According to the Insurance Information Institute, you should be especially concerned about hail damage if you live in Texas, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, or Nebraska, the five states where major hail events are most common.

While it does matter where in the state you live when considering the risk of hail damage to your car, it’s likely worth it to buy a protective car covering.

What to Consider When Comparing Auto Insurance Companies that Cover Hail Damage

If you’re looking for affordable auto insurance that protects your vehicle from hail damage, we recommend considering the following when comparing options:

How high should my deductible be?

A lower deductible could save you if you live in an area with a high risk of hail storms. However, a higher deductible that lowers your premiums is a better option for those confident they can protect their vehicle.

Does the overall cost of this insurance company seem reasonable?

Consider the risk of damage caused by hail or other non-collision damage to your particular vehicle.

Does this company’s customer service record give me confidence?

If there’s a large-scale hail storm, you’ll want to be sure that they can take care of your claim painlessly.

Before you buy auto insurance that covers hail damage, try our free online tool to compare quotes from companies that offer hail insurance for cars.