Yes, car insurance covers hail damage, but only if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. Liability-only policies do not cover hail damage, as liability coverage pays for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles, not damage to your own.

This guide explains exactly how comprehensive coverage handles hail damage, how to decide whether to file a claim, and what happens from the moment the storm passes to the moment your car is repaired.

Does Comprehensive Coverage Cover Hail Damage?

Comprehensive auto insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by events outside of collisions, including hail, windstorms, flooding, fire, theft, and falling objects. Hail is one of the most common comprehensive claims filed in the United States, with billions in claims processed annually.

When a hailstorm damages your vehicle, your comprehensive coverage pays for the repair cost minus your deductible. If the repair cost is less than your deductible, filing a claim doesn’t make financial sense.

What Does Car Insurance Pay for Hail Damage?

Insurance pays the repair cost assessed by the adjuster, minus your deductible. The adjuster’s estimate is a starting point, not a ceiling.

Here’s how it works in practice:

Adjuster assessment:
After you file a claim, the insurance company assigns an adjuster who inspects your vehicle and writes a repair estimate. Many insurers now use photo-based digital assessments, though a physical inspection can be requested.

Repair estimate:
The estimate covers the cost of PDR or traditional body repair to restore the vehicle to pre-loss condition. PDR for hail is typically cheaper than body shop estimates.

Supplements:
If the repair company finds additional damage not captured in the original estimate, they file a supplement with the insurance company. This is very common with hail damage, where interior damage to the AC condenser, sunroof drains, or trim pieces may not be caught in the initial walkthrough.

Your out-of-pocket cost:
You pay your deductible. If the actual repair cost is less than the adjuster’s estimate (common with PDR), the insurance company pays the repair cost and the difference stays with the insurer.

Does Filing a Hail Damage Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?

This is the central question when deciding whether to claim. The general answer: hail damage is a comprehensive claim, and comprehensive claims typically do not raise your rates as significantly as at-fault collision claims. However, it depends on:

• Your state: some states limit rate increases from comprehensive claims
• Your insurer: policies vary on how comprehensive claims affect premiums
• Your claim history: a first comprehensive claim has less impact than multiple claims in a short period
• Your policy type: some policies have ‘accident forgiveness’ provisions that may or may not apply to comprehensive claims

Before filing, call your insurance company and ask directly: ‘Will filing a comprehensive claim for hail damage affect my premium or policy standing?’ Get a straight answer, you are entitled to one. If the premium increase over the next 3 years would exceed the repair cost minus your deductible, it may not be worth claiming.

Should I Claim Hail Damage on My Car? The Decision Framework

Use this framework to decide:

Step 1: Get an accurate repair estimate.
Get a professional PDR assessment (free with Oh Wow) so you know the actual repair cost, not a guess.

Step 2: Compare to your deductible.
If the repair cost is close to or less than your deductible, claiming makes no financial sense. Pay out of pocket.

Step 3: Check the rate impact.
Call your insurer and ask specifically how this claim would affect your premium over the next 3 years. Calculate the total additional premium cost.

Step 4: Calculate total out-of-pocket either way.
Claiming: you pay deductible + additional premium increase over 3 years. Not claiming: you pay full repair cost. Whichever is lower is the right financial decision.

Step 5: Consider your deductible type.
Some policies have separate comprehensive deductibles (often lower, $250 or $500) vs. collision deductibles ($500–$2,000). A low comprehensive deductible often makes claiming worthwhile for moderate hail damage.

What Size Hail Damage Is Worth Claiming?

As a practical guide:

• Minor denting (pea-size hail, few dents): Compare repair cost to deductible, often not worth claiming
• Moderate damage (quarter-size hail, multiple panels): Usually worth claiming if deductible is $500 or less
• Severe damage (golf ball or larger, extensive denting): Almost always worth claiming, repair costs typically far exceed the deductible

How to File a Hail Damage Claim

The process is straightforward:

1. Document the damage
   Photograph the vehicle thoroughly in good lighting, ideally with a light source that shows surface contour. Include all panels. Also photograph any cracked glass, damaged trim, or broken mirrors.
2. Contact your insurance company
   Call your insurer or file through their app. Provide your policy number, date of the storm, and location. They will assign a claim number and adjuster.
3. Get your own repair estimate
   You have the right to choose your own repair provider. Get a PDR estimate before or during the insurance assessment process. If the insurance estimate is lower than the repair cost, your PDR company can work directly with the adjuster on a supplement.
4. Select your repair company
   Choose the company you want, not necessarily the one your insurer recommends. Insurance companies can suggest shops but cannot require you to use them.
5. Pay your deductible
   Pay the deductible to the repair company. They collect the insurance payment directly.

Can I Get Hail Damage Repaired Without Insurance?

Yes. Many vehicle owners choose to repair hail damage out of pocket, either because they have high deductibles, they’re concerned about rate increases, or the damage is minor enough that it doesn’t exceed their deductible. PDR for minor to moderate hail damage is often affordable enough that out-of-pocket repair makes sense.

Oh Wow provides written estimates for both insurance and out-of-pocket scenarios with no pressure on how you proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does liability insurance cover hail damage?
No. Liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to other people’s vehicles or property. Hail damage to your own vehicle requires comprehensive coverage.

Does comprehensive cover hail damage on a new car?
Yes, comprehensive coverage works the same regardless of vehicle age. New vehicles may be worth more and therefore repair costs may be higher, but the coverage applies the same way.

What if the hail damage totals my car?
If the cost of repairs exceeds the actual cash value (ACV) of the vehicle, the insurer may declare it a total loss and pay you the vehicle’s ACV minus your deductible. This is more common with high-severity hail events and older vehicles.

Will insurance cover hail damage from last year?
Claims generally have a time limit, most policies require claims to be filed within a ‘reasonable time’ after the loss, often 30 days to one year depending on your state and policy. However, pre-existing hail damage that pre-dates your policy or occurred before you took out comprehensive coverage would not be covered. Check your specific policy terms.

Have hail damage? Get a free mobile assessment from Oh Wow, we work directly with all major carriers on comprehensive claims.