Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Hail damage will usually be covered by insurance if you have comprehensive coverage. You will be sent a check to cover the cost of repairs at a repair shop. Read this guide on hail damage to learn more.
Written by Jacoba Bood
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Hail damage is not covered by basic liability coverage insurance. If you want hail damage coverage on your car, you must purchase a
comprehensive insurance
policy.
Between
minimum insurance requirements
and the multitude of add-ons, insurance shopping isn’t always easy. That’s why the car insurance comparison shopping app
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, has compiled everything you need to know about finding the best hail damage insurance coverage.
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Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of everything, and even cancels your old policy on your behalf—oh, and it’s free! So if you’re in need of insurance to protect your vehicle from hail damage, just let Jerry handle it.
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Is hail damage covered by auto insurance?

Hail damage is not covered by basic or
liability
-only coverage plans. Purchasing only the minimum required insurance for your state will not provide coverage for hail damage.
Almost all states require a certain amount of liability coverage to help cover the costs for the other party in the event of an at-fault accident. Many states also require medical coverage for you and your passengers as well, whether it be
medical payment coverage
or personal injury protection insurance.
None of the minimum state requirements cover damage to your own vehicle—including damage caused by weather events, like hail damage. You will need extra coverage for your auto insurance to cover hail damage.

How to get hail damage coverage

If you want your car covered for hail damage, you’ll need to purchase
comprehensive insurance
.
Comprehensive insurance is designed to protect drivers from damage to their own vehicles resulting from external events. This includes natural acts like hail, storms, and floods, as well as vandalism and theft.
If you’re worried about hail damage, don’t wait to upgrade to comprehensive insurance. Some insurers won’t allow you to upgrade your insurance immediately before an extreme weather event is scheduled to occur—so don’t wait until it is too late to get hail protection on your car.
No matter what type of coverage you’re looking for, using an intelligent, AI-based tool like
Jerry
is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you.
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. So why do all that extra work finding the most affordable comprehensive insurance plan when Jerry can do it better?
Key Takeaway
If you’re worried about hail damage, upgrade to a comprehensive insurance policy before it’s too late.

Understanding deductibles

If you need to file an insurance claim to cover hail damage, your deductible is what determines your out-of-pocket costs.
Your deductible is the amount you pay on a claim before your insurance company kicks in. Most insurance providers will require you to pay the deductible when you file a
comprehensive insurance claim
. You’ll choose the amount when you purchase your car insurance.
Paying a deductible can feel frustrating when you did nothing to cause the damage, but it’s usually worth it. The cost of hail damage repairs will almost always exceed the deductible amount.
Many policyholders choose to increase their deductible to save money on their policy, but this strategy is not practical in a situation where you may have multiple claims over the life of your vehicle. Some providers will allow you to reduce your comprehensive insurance deductible for a fee—and you might want to consider this option if hails storms are common in your area.
Key Takeaway
Lowering your deductible can help reduce your costs if you need to make multiple hail damage claims.
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How is hail damaged assessed on a car?

When you file a hail-related claim, the insurance company will assign you an
adjuster
to assess the damage. The adjuster will determine the costs of the repairs using one of the following methods:

Paintless dent removal (PDR)

If the damage isn’t too severe, the adjuster will probably rely on the PDR method. This involves estimating the cost to repair damaged panels without needing to repaint.

Traditional method

The traditional method is typically used for more severe damage. The estimate will include the costs of fixing and repainting the panels that can be repaired and replacing the panels that are beyond repair.

Can hail damage total a car?

Sometimes, cars can end up totaled as a result of hail damage. This happens when the extent of the damage exceeds the actual value of the car just before it got hit with hail damage.
Once the adjuster assesses the damage to your vehicle, the insurance company will contact you to let you know whether or not your car can be repaired. Insurers usually have lots of claims to process after a big storm, so you might have to be patient while waiting for your results.

Fixing hail damage

Most insurance companies will send out a
check
to cover the cost of the damage. Reach out to your insurance company to let them know what shop you prefer to use for the repairs. Some providers have trusted repair shops and will guarantee the quality of your repairs when you choose them.
If you don’t have a loan on the vehicle, you might choose to skip the cosmetic repairs altogether. Note that this will decrease the value of your vehicle if you want to sell or trade later down the line.

Finding affordable hail damage insurance

If you want to save money on comprehensive insurance to cover hail damage, the
Jerry
app is a good place to start.
As a licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from top name-brand insurance companies. Jerry will even finalize your purchase and cancel your old policy for you.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal—so you can rest assured that you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. The best part is that you barely have to lift a finger to find the best deals!
This level of service is why Jerry is the top insurance app in the country. The reviews speak for themselves.
"Amazing service & great savings! When I started the process of Jerry through the app I was a little skeptical as the deals and savings looked too good to be true. However, I was quickly proven wrong. I saved over $500 just by switching and got a much higher coverage. The customer service was amazing and I did it all through the app and text message so it was hassle free and easy to use. I will definitely be recommending Jerry to everyone who is looking to get cheaper insurance." " — Satisfied Jerry customer

FAQs

Does full coverage cover hail damage?

Yes, full coverage insurance will cover hail damage. Full coverage policies will include comprehensive insurance, so you can expect weather-related damages to be covered once you pay your
comprehensive coverage deductible
.

How do I know if my insurance covers hail damage?

You can tell if your insurance covers hail damage by checking your insurance policy. If you have comprehensive insurance listed on your policy, you're covered.
If you can't find a copy of your policy, call your insurance agent or carrier to get more details about your coverage.
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