Will my car insurance cover hail damage?

A hail storm does not have to be very severe in order to cause major physical damage to your vehicle. Sometimes, the damage to your car can be purely cosmetic in the form of a few dings, however, hail can also cause major damage, such as broken glass or engine damage.

In any event, the physical damage to your car from a hailstorm can be very expensive to repair. Fortunately, the good news is that you can be covered for this type of damage if you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy.

You might have to pay some amount of the deductible, but you can still be a room burst for the remaining cost of your repairs.

Enter your zip code above to find insurance that covers natural disasters!

What is a comprehensive car insurance policy?

Comprehensive insurance is different from basic auto liability coverage in that it is an optional policy.

Basically, comprehensive coverage helps protect you from damage that is not a result of a collision.

If your car is damaged as a result of severe weather, this would be covered under comprehensive car insurance. Hail damage definitely falls into this category.

Comprehensive coverage is sometimes also called full coverage, but the name should not deceive you. It does not actually mean you are fully covered for anything that could happen to your car. First of all, there are certain policy limits that will be in place.

Also, some types of damage will be excluded from coverage. As always, the best source of information for this is your individual auto insurance policy. Any specific exclusions from comprehensive coverage will be listed in the policy.

Filing a Claim Under Your Comprehensive Car Insurance

If you notice hail damage to your car after a storm, it is best to file a claim immediately.

You may want to take pictures of the damage so you have a clear record of it. Depending on the severity of the damage you are claiming, the auto insurance company may want to appoint a claims adjuster and send him or her out to inspect the damage to your vehicle.

The car insurance company could give you an estimate for what they think it will cost to repair your car. Even if the car insurance company has a shop they use for the estimate, this does not mean you are obligated to use the same auto body repair shop to get your car fixed.

You do have the right to choose your own repair shop, but bear in mind that any reimbursement for the cost of repair must be reasonable.

In order to make the claims and settlement process goes smoothly as possible, it is in your best interest to cooperate fully with the car insurance company. They may have follow-up questions for you after you submit your claim, so make sure to respond to them fully and promptly.

Even if the car insurance company agrees to settle your claim for hail damage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for some of the repairs. This is because a comprehensive car insurance policy typically comes with a deductible.

The deductible is the amount you are required to pay before you get a reimbursement for your claim. For example, if your deductible amount is $500 and the total cost to repair the damage is $1000, you would receive a settlement of $500 from your auto insurance company.

Finding the Right Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy for You

Comprehensive car insurance is definitely an option you want to consider in finding the right car insurance coverage for you. It may not cost very much to tack on to your additional coverage, but it can be a lifesaver if your car is damaged.

Even if you are required by a dealer or a lender to get comprehensive insurance for leased or financed vehicle, you have options in terms of your coverage.

Do your research on the car insurance company before you sign on the dotted line for comprehensive coverage.

Wrap Up on Car Insurance for Hail Damage

The bottom line on car insurance coverage for hail damage is that you could be covered as long as you have a comprehensive car insurance policy.

Although this coverage is not legally required, it is one of the more popular forms of supplemental car insurance coverage. If you are leasing or financing a car, comprehensive car insurance could be a requirement from the dealer or the lender in order for you to sign off on your lease or loan.

Before you are locked into a policy, take some time to do your research on different rates and make sure that you are working with an upstanding car insurance company.

Enter your zip code below to compare car insurance rates from top companies in your area!