Introduction Does My Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
When it comes to car insurance, understanding the different types of coverage and what they entail can be confusing. One common question that arises is; does car insurance cover hail damage to my vehicle. If you are concerned whether your insurance will cover the hail damage done to your vehicle, read the article to understand insurance hail damage coverage.
What is Comprehensive Car Insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance is a type of coverage that protects your vehicle from damage caused by events other than a collision. This includes damage from (act of God) natural disasters, such as hail or hurricanes, as well as theft, vandalism, and falling objects. It is important to note that comprehensive coverage is not required by law, but it may be required by your lender if you have a car loan.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
If you have comprehensive coverage as part of your car insurance policy, your insurance company will typically cover the cost of repair less your deductible. The amount of coverage and the deductible will depend on the specifics of your policy.
It is important to review your policy and understand the details of your coverage before filing a claim.
So again, if you have comprehensive coverage; your “Does my car insurance cover hail damage?” is likely a yes.
Should you file a hail claim?
If your car has been damaged by hail and you have comprehensive coverage, typically most people will tell you to file a claim with your insurance company.
We think you should take a step back.
WHY?
Well first, you may not even have enough damage to justify filing a hail damage claim.
If your deductible is $1000.00, and the damages are less than that, there is no reason to file the claim as they will not compensate you due to damages being below your deductible.
Second, prior to reaching out to your insurance company, you should understand how much damage you have. What if you want to use the money against your loan? (You can do that in most cases.) What if you want to fix some panels, but not all? What if you want to use the claim money for other purposes?
We truly do not care what you do with the compensation for your hail claim, and that’s why we offer our Hail Est hail damage cost calculator.
Find out the true cost of your hail damage by using our app, right on your phone.
Once you have used our app, you can now file your hail claim.
The process for filing a claim will vary depending on your insurance company, but it typically involves the following steps:
Document the damage: Take photos of the hail damage to your vehicle and make a list of any damages. You can use our app to create the list, for free.
Contact your insurance company: (CLICK HERE FOR OUR CLICK TO CALL LIST OF THE TOP 50 INSURANCE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS) Call your insurance company and inform them of the hail damage. They will provide you with instructions on how to proceed with filing a claim.
Get an estimate: Your insurance company may require you to get an estimate for the cost of repairing the hail damage. They may also send an adjuster to assess the damage. In either case, present the adjuster and or the shop with the list, or estimate you created with our app. Let them know they are responsible to write the estimate as accurate as possible.
Repair your vehicle (or not): Once your claim has been approved, you can take your vehicle to a repair shop to have the hail damage fixed, or you can apply the compensation against your loan, or you can use the money as you see fit (Read this article on the ramifications of not repairing your hail damage after you have been compensated.)
What to Do If Your Car Insurance Does Not Cover Hail Damage
If your car insurance does not cover hail damage, you may be responsible for paying for the repairs out of pocket. To protect your vehicle from future hail damage, consider the following:
Park in a covered area: If possible, park your car in a garage or under a carport to protect it from hail.
Use a car cover: If you do not have access to a covered parking area, consider using a car cover specifically designed to protect against hail damage.
Monitor weather conditions: Keep an eye on the weather forecast and take steps to protect your car if a hailstorm is expected.
Conclusion
In conclusion, comprehensive car insurance can provide coverage for hail damage to your vehicle. It is important to review your policy and understand the details of your coverage before a hailstorm hits. If your car is damaged by hail and you have comprehensive coverage, you may need to file a claim with your insurance company. If your car insurance does list you as hail damage covered, consider taking steps to protect your vehicle from future hail damage.
A few insurance company links about comprehensive coverage and hail damage;
Many of the smaller insurance companies follow the lead of the larger companies.
