Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage? (2025)
Car insurance generally covers hail damage if you have comprehensive coverage.
Excellent
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Liability-only coverage likely won’t pay for damage from hail. But comprehensive coverage — part of full-coverage car insurance — covers hail damage. As of July 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service report the U.S. has seen more than 4,400 severe hailstorms in the year to date.1
You can’t control the weather, but having the right car insurance often makes all the difference when unexpected weather damage happens — especially if you live in a hail-prone area. Here’s a closer look at what you need to know about car insurance and hail damage.
What comprehensive insurance covers
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.2 But state laws don’t require drivers to have comprehensive coverage.
“You need a comprehensive policy for hail damage coverage,” says Zach Lazzari, owner of Cross Border Coverage insurance agency. “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 comprehensive car insurance costs
Your coverage level, vehicle type, location, value, deductible, and (in most areas) credit history all factor into your comprehensive insurance cost. Your choice of insurance company also affects how much you pay.
The table below shows how much extra per month insurance companies charge for comprehensive insurance for drivers with a $1,000 deductible.
Car insurance costs in hail-prone states
Hail can happen anywhere a severe thunderstorm occurs, so it’s often a good idea to carry comprehensive coverage. But if you live in a hail-prone state, your rates may be higher than drivers who live in a state that doesn’t commonly see hailstorms.
Here’s a closer look at the average full-coverage car insurance costs in the 10 states most prone to hailstorms.
How to file a claim for hail damage
Dealing with hail damage can be a frustrating experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to file a claim:
When to file a claim for hail damage
Drivers with comprehensive coverage may be eligible for reimbursement for hail damage. But it may not be worth it to file a hail damage claim if repair costs are less than your deductible — or if you have an older vehicle that’s worth less than the cost to repair.
Don’t wait until the end of hail season to file one claim for multiple damage events. Instead, file a claim (or choose to pay for repairs out of pocket) for each hail event that causes damage. Contact your agent or insurer if you’re unsure about when to file a claim and what deductible may apply.
Will a hail damage claim increase your insurance rates?
A hail damage claim may increase your insurance rates, or they could stay the same. How a hail damage claim affects rates depends on the insurer, the extent of the damage, and your claims history. For example, a claim for a windshield replacement may affect your rates differently than severe body damage that results in a totaled car.6
Insurers may charge more for high-risk drivers who file a hail claim — especially if they’ve filed many other claims. Check with your insurer to understand your coverage. If rates go up after a claim, ask your insurer about ways to reduce your premium or consider switching companies.
Factors that affect hail damage coverage
How much coverage you have against hail damage depends on a few factors. Understanding how each affects your policy can give you a clearer picture of how your insurance company will handle your claim.
Deductibles
A deductible is the amount you contribute toward an auto insurance claim. Higher deductibles mean you’ll pay more in repair costs. Check your policy or ask your insurance agent how much your deductible is for hail damage.
Personal belongings inside the vehicle
It’s important to note that comprehensive insurance doesn’t include personal belongings left inside the vehicle. If the hail damage was severe and caused damage to items inside the car, your claim payment won’t cover repairs or replacement. You’ll need to file a separate claim with your homeowners or renters insurance.
Vehicle age and condition
Your car’s age and condition affect how insurance companies handle hail damage claims. When repairs are more expensive than a car’s value, the insurance company may determine that your car is a total loss and offer you a payout instead of covering the repair costs. Additionally, if your vehicle has existing damage, the hail damage claim may not cover those repairs.
How to prevent hail damage to your car
Severe thunderstorms can produce large hail, resulting in significant damage to unprotected vehicles. Park your car in a protected area like a garage, carport, or other covered structure. For added protection, consider draping blankets, a comforter, or collapsed cardboard boxes over your car roof, windshield, and hood to soften the impact.
When driving during a storm, pull under a covered structure, like a bridge or underpass, if safe to do so. Wait out the storm to help avoid hail damage.7
Hail damage coverage FAQs
Hail damage is a common concern for vehicle owners. Here’s some additional information about how insurance works and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your car.
What size hail will damage a car?
All sizes. Hail can reach speeds of more than 100 mph, so any size can damage a car. Small hail often causes dents or chipped paint, while larger hail may break the windows or cause frame damage.
Can you insure a car that has hail damage?
Yes. You can insure a car that has hail damage. Insurers may consider a car with severe hail damage uninsurable if the damage caused a total loss.
Can hail damage total a vehicle?
Yes. Hail damage can total a vehicle. Large hail can cause heavy damage that bends body panels and destroys windshields. Your insurer will determine if your car is totaled after you file a claim.
How long do you have to file a hail claim?
It depends. But you’ll want to file a hail claim as soon as the hail damage occurs. Deadlines to file a hail claim vary by insurer and state laws. Ask your agent or check your policy if you’re unsure how long you have to file a hail claim.
Does liability insurance cover hail damage?
No. Liability coverage doesn’t protect against hail damage. You can choose full-coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive coverage to protect against hail, theft, fire, vandalism, and other vehicle damage not caused by an accident.
)
)
)
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)