Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Whether you’re driving or you have parked your car under the open sky for a while, it can start raining at any moment. While driving in the rain, it can feel soothing, but if it turns into a hailstorm, it can break your windshield, cause visible dents, and even damage your car’s engine and interior. 

Now, if you’re wondering, does car insurance cover hail damage? The answer is yes, but only if you have comprehensive coverage. Let’s explore how car insurance can protect you financially from hail damage, whether your car is on the road or parked.

What Type of Car Insurance Protects You from Hail Damage?

If you want to keep your car protected against hail damage, it’s crucial to ensure your policy includes the right type of car insurance coverage. Comprehensive coverage is the primary type of car insurance that protects against hail damage. Gap insurance may also help, but only if your car is totaled, and you still owe more than its actual value on a loan.  

Keep in mind that, since these are optional coverages, make sure you find a reliable insurer that offers them and that they’re included in your auto insurance policy. Here’s a detailed overview of how these coverages work.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is specifically designed to protect your car against unexpected events like hailstorms, floods, and other natural disasters that are beyond your control. It helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle if it gets damaged due to these non-collision incidents. 

If your car is damaged by hail, comprehensive insurance typically pays for the repairs, minus your deductible. The amount you receive depends on the extent of the damage and your policy limits. 

Keep in mind that comprehensive coverage is optional, but it can be highly valuable if you live in an area prone to severe weather conditions. Without it, you would have to pay out of pocket for any hail-related damage.

Gap Insurance Coverage

Gap insurance does not directly cover hail damage or pay for repairs. Instead, it only applies if your car is declared a total loss and you owe more on your loan or lease than the car’s actual cash value. 

In the case of hail damage, gap insurance works alongside comprehensive coverage. If a severe hailstorm damages your car beyond repair and your insurer totals it, comprehensive coverage will first pay the car’s current market value. If that amount is less than what you still owe on your loan, gap insurance can cover the remaining balance.

Here’s an example: 
Suppose your car is worth $15,000 at the time of a hailstorm, but you still owe $18,000 on your auto loan. If the damage is severe enough for the car to be totaled, your comprehensive coverage may pay $15,000 (minus your deductible). Gap insurance can then cover the remaining $3,000, so you’re not left paying out of pocket for a car you no longer have. 

On the other hand, if the hail damage is minor and your car is repairable, gap insurance will not apply; only comprehensive coverage will cover the repair costs.

Does Auto Liability Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

While auto liability insurance is legally required in most U.S. states, it does not cover damage to your own car, including hail damage. Liability coverage is designed to pay for the other driver’s vehicle repairs or medical expenses if you’re at fault in an accident. 

Since hail damage is caused by a weather event and not a collision you’re responsible for, liability insurance does not apply. So, to cover repair or replacement costs from a hailstorm, you would specifically need comprehensive coverage.

Other Types of Car Insurance Coverage for Extended Protection

While comprehensive coverage is the primary protection against hail damage, other types of car insurance can offer additional financial protection in certain situations. If you’re exploring additional coverage for extended protection, you should explore the following endorsements with comprehensive coverage, as listed below.

OEM Coverage (Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts)

OEM coverage ensures that your car is repaired using original parts from the manufacturer instead of aftermarket alternatives. This helps maintain your vehicle’s quality, performance, and resale value after damage. 

While OEM coverage does not directly cover hail damage, it works alongside comprehensive coverage. If your car is repaired after a hailstorm, OEM coverage ensures that only manufacturer-approved parts are used during the repair process.

New Car Replacement Coverage

New car replacement coverage helps replace your vehicle with a brand-new one of the same make and model if it is declared a total loss. In the case of severe hail damage, if your car is totaled, this coverage can pay for a new replacement instead of the depreciated value of your old car.  

This can be especially valuable for newer vehicles, as standard auto insurance policies with comprehensive coverage typically apply based on your car’s current market value. With new car replacement coverage, you can receive the full cost of a brand-new vehicle, which can help you stay protected from any financial loss.

Full Auto Glass Coverage

Full auto glass coverage helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your car’s glass, including the windshield, windows, and sometimes the sunroof, without requiring you to pay a deductible. 

While it does not directly cover hail damage to the entire vehicle, it works alongside comprehensive coverage. If a hailstorm cracks or shatters your windshield or windows, this coverage can pay for the glass repair or replacement separately. This can be especially useful, as even minor cracks can quickly spread and affect your visibility and safety while driving.

Rental Car Reimbursement Coverage

Rental car reimbursement coverage pays the cost of a rental vehicle while your car is being repaired after a covered claim. 

If your car is in the auto repair shop due to hail damage covered by comprehensive insurance, this coverage can help you stay mobile by covering rental expenses for a limited period, based on your policy limits.

Why Should You Consider Comprehensive Coverage to Financially Protect Your Car Against Hail Damage?

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), there were 5,432 hail events in 2025 and 5,373 in 2024. The report further shows that insurers paid approximately $3.5 billion in auto insurance claims in 2022 and about $2.5 billion in 2021, reflecting a significant increase compared to previous years.

These numbers highlight how common and costly hailstorms can be. Even a single storm can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your vehicle, from dents to broken glass.  

Since hailstorms occur frequently and can lead to expensive repairs, having comprehensive coverage in your policy can help protect you from paying out of pocket for unexpected damage.

When Does Car Insurance Not Cover Hail Damage?

Car insurance will not cover hail damage unless your policy includes comprehensive coverage. If you only have liability insurance, your car will not be covered for any damage caused by a hailstorm. 

Even if your policy includes other types of coverage, such as collision coverage, it still won’t apply to hail damage. Collision coverage is designed to cover damages from accidents involving another vehicle or object, not weather-related incidents. In short, unless you have comprehensive coverage in your policy, you will have to pay out of pocket for any repairs or replacement costs caused by hail damage.

How to Get Comprehensive Coverage for Hail Damage?

To ensure your car is protected from hail damage, your policy must include comprehensive coverage. Here are the steps to obtain comprehensive coverage for hail damage and other unexpected events.  

• Review your current policy: If you already have car insurance, check whether your policy includes comprehensive coverage. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to add it. If you’re getting a new policy, make sure comprehensive coverage is included.   
• Contact your insurance provider: Reach out to your insurer or agent and ask to add comprehensive coverage to your policy. You can usually do this online, over the phone, or through an app.   
• Choose your deductible amount: Select a deductible that fits your budget. A higher deductible can lower your premium, while a lower deductible means less out-of-pocket cost when filing a claim.   
• Confirm coverage details and limits: Review what’s included in your comprehensive coverage, including protection against hail damage and other non-collision events.   
• Activate your coverage before a hailstorm: Make sure your policy is active before any hailstorm occurs, as insurance won’t cover damage from events that happen before coverage begins.

Will a Hail Damage Claim Increase Your Car Insurance Premium?

In most cases, filing a hail damage claim will not significantly increase your car insurance premium. This is because hail damage is considered a comprehensive claim, which falls under events that are beyond your control, such as natural disasters, theft, or vandalism. 

However, this doesn’t mean your premium will always stay the same. Insurance companies may still adjust your rates based on your overall claims history, location, and risk factors.  

For example, if you live in an area that frequently experiences severe weather, your premiums may increase over time due to higher risk. It’s also important to consider your deductible before filing a claim. If the cost of repairs is close to or lower than your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim, as you would end up paying most of the cost out of pocket. 

Overall, while a hail damage claim is less likely to raise your premium compared to an at-fault accident, it can still have a minor impact depending on your insurer and individual circumstances.

How to Protect Your Car from Hail Damage?

There’s a famous saying that prevention is better than cure. While comprehensive coverage provides substantial protection if your car gets damaged by a hail event, it’s best to take the right steps to prevent the damage in the first place. Here are some effective tips to protect your car from hail damage.  

• Park in a covered area: Whenever possible, park your car in a garage or under a carport to avoid direct exposure to hail.   
• Use a car cover or hail protection cover: A thick car cover or a specially designed hail cover can help reduce the impact of hailstones.   
• Check the weather forecast regularly: Stay updated on weather alerts so you can move your car to a safer location before a hailstorm begins.   
• Park near sturdy structures (with caution): Parking beside buildings or under strong structures can offer some protection, but avoid weak trees or unstable objects.   
• Use temporary padding in emergencies: If a hailstorm is imminent, you can use blankets, floor mats, or cushions to cover your car and minimize damage.   
• Avoid driving during a hailstorm: If possible, pull over and find a safe, covered place to protect your car and reduce the risk of damage. 

If you can prove that you took adequate steps to prevent hail damage, then your car insurance premiums may not increase after a hail damage claim as it’s clearly not your fault and you did everything possible to prevent it.

The Bottom Line: Is Comprehensive Coverage for Hail Damage Worth It?   

It’s almost impossible to predict when a hailstorm will occur, and even a single storm can cause serious damage to your car, from broken windows to dents and internal issues. 

If your policy doesn’t include comprehensive coverage, your car insurance won’t pay for any hail-related damage. Since hailstorms can happen unexpectedly in many parts of the U.S., having comprehensive coverage is a smart way to avoid costly out-of-pocket repairs. 

If you’re exploring comprehensive coverage to protect your car against hail damage, you can contact us to purchase auto insurance with comprehensive coverage and other endorsements for adequate financial protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it worth making an insurance claim for hail damage?

It depends on the extent of the damage and your deductible. If the repair cost is significantly higher than your deductible, filing a claim is usually worth it. However, if the damage is minor and the repair cost is close to your deductible, it may be better to pay out of pocket to avoid potential premium increases.

Will car insurance pay for hail damage?

Yes, insurance will pay for hail damage, but only if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. It typically covers repair or replacement costs after you pay your deductible, up to your policy limits. Liability or collision coverage alone will not cover hail damage.

How long do you have to file a hail damage claim?

The time limit to file a hail damage claim varies by insurer, but most companies require you to report the damage as soon as possible. Typically, this can range from a few days to a few weeks after the incident. Filing early helps ensure a smoother claims process and reduces the risk of complications.

Does hail damage affect your car’s resale value?

Yes, hail damage can lower your car’s resale or trade-in value, especially if there are visible dents, chipped paint, or cracked glass. Even if the damage is only cosmetic, buyers and dealers may offer less due to the cost of repairs.

Will insurance cover multiple hail damage claims?

Yes, comprehensive coverage can cover multiple hail damage claims as long as your policy is active. However, filing frequent claims may lead to higher premiums over time, especially if you live in an area prone to severe weather.

Can hail damage total a car?

Yes, severe hail damage can total a car if the repair cost exceeds or comes close to its actual cash value. In such cases, the insurance company may declare it a total loss.