Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage? Plus Tips on Protecting Your Car from Hail Damage

Hailstorms can strike with little warning, leaving behind costly dents, cracked windshields, and significant damage to your vehicle’s exterior. For many drivers, the financial burden of repairing hail damage can be overwhelming, prompting an important question: does car insurance cover hail damage?

Join us as we answer that and more, explaining how hail damage coverage works, what types of insurance apply, and what GEICO Auto Insurance offers to help protect your vehicle from unpredictable weather events.

Key Takeaways

• Hail damage refers to physical harm caused by falling hail, including dents, cracked glass, and chipped paint, which can lead to costly repairs.
• Comprehensive car insurance is the only type of coverage that typically protects against hail damage—liability-only policies do not apply.
• Deductibles apply to hail damage claims and will impact how much you pay out of pocket before insurance covers the rest.
• After a hailstorm, it’s important to inspect your vehicle, take photos, and report the damage quickly to your insurer, as filing deadlines may apply.
• You can reduce the risk of hail damage by parking in covered areas, checking weather alerts, using car covers or hail blankets, and applying windshield protection film.

What Is Hail Damage and Why Does It Matter?

Hail damage occurs when falling hailstones strike a vehicle, often resulting in visible dents, shattered windows or windshields, and chipped or cracked paint. Even a brief storm can cause significant cosmetic and structural damage, especially to vehicles left unprotected outdoors. Repairing hail damage can be expensive, with costs quickly adding up for bodywork, glass replacement, and repainting.

That’s why having the right car insurance coverage is so important—it can help offset these costs and protect you from paying out of pocket after an unexpected storm.

What Type of Car Insurance Covers Hail Damage?

Hail damage to your vehicle is typically covered under comprehensive car insurance, which is designed to protect against non-collision-related incidents.

This type of coverage includes damage caused by weather events such as hail, falling debris, fire, theft, and vandalism. If you only carry liability insurance, which covers damage you cause to others in an accident, hail damage to your own vehicle will not be covered. To ensure you're protected from costly repairs after a storm, it’s essential to have comprehensive coverage included in your auto insurance policy.

Deductibles and Payouts

A deductible refers to the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your comprehensive coverage kicks in to cover the rest of the repair costs.

For example, if your deductible is a certain amount and hail damage exceeds that amount in repairs, you would pay the amount specified in your deductible, and your insurance would cover the rest. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium tends to be—but it also means more out-of-pocket expense when you file a claim.

How Does Filing a Hail Damage Claim Work? Steps to Take After a Hailstorm

While comprehensive car insurance does cover hail damage, it's important to follow a clear set of steps once you discover the damage to ensure you receive the full compensation you're entitled to. Acting quickly and documenting the damage properly can make a big difference in how smoothly your claim is processed.

Here are some steps to follow to streamline the process and avoid unnecessary delays or complications:

• Inspect your vehicle and document the damage – Take clear, well-lit photos of all visible dents, broken glass, or paint damage from multiple angles.
• Contact your insurer promptly to report the claim. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, as some policies have time limits for filing.
• Review your policy and deductible – Understand your comprehensive coverage details, including your deductible and what repair costs may be covered.
• Schedule a damage assessment or inspection – Your insurer may require an in-person evaluation at an approved body shop or claims center.
• Keep records of all communication and repairs – Save claim numbers, adjuster notes, repair estimates, and receipts for your own records and future reference.

How to Protect Your Vehicle from Hail Damage

The most reliable way to protect your car from hail damage is to take proactive steps to prevent the damage from happening in the first place. If you have access to a covered garage, that’s an ideal first line of defense. Even without one, there are still effective measures—like using a car cover or monitoring weather alerts—that can help reduce your risk of costly hail-related damage:

• Park in a garage, carport, or other covered area – Keeping your vehicle sheltered during storms is the most effective way to prevent hail damage.
• Check weather apps and sign up for severe weather alerts – Staying informed can give you enough time to move your vehicle to a safe location before hail hits.
• Use a car cover, blankets, or padding in urgent situations – While not ideal long-term, these can offer emergency protection; however, always prioritize your personal safety over saving your car.
• Apply hail-resistant windshield film – This protective layer can help reduce the risk of your windshield cracking or shattering during a hailstorm.
• Invest in inflatable hail protectors or heavy-duty hail blankets – These specialized products are designed to absorb hail impact and shield your car’s surface during severe weather.

Get Protection From Hail Damage With GEICO

Investing in comprehensive car insurance and taking preventive measures to shield your vehicle from hail damage is the smartest way to ensure you're fully protected.

Hail can cause substantial harm—after all, it’s essentially rocks falling from the sky—and without the right insurance, the out-of-pocket repair costs can be significant. That’s why so many drivers across the nation trust GEICO, preferred for its unbeatable combination of reliable customer support, flexible coverage and payment options, and a wide range of discounts that make the right protection accessible for every type of driver.

Ready to ensure your vehicle is sufficiently protected against hail damage and other risks? Get your free quote from GEICO Auto Insurance today—it only takes a few minutes and can save you a ton of trouble down the road.