If you’ve ever experienced a hailstorm before, you’ll know how dangerous it can be. Plus, it’s quite common for these hailstones to cause damage to vehicles. They can:
Depending on the severity of the damage to your vehicle, you could be facing some costly repairs or even find yourself in need of a replacement vehicle.
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Hail damage might be covered under your insurance, depending on the type of policy you have. There are two kinds of car insurance policies:
If you have a comprehensive coverage policy, then your provider would pay the cost of repairs. If the vehicle is totalled, then they would pay the actual cash value of the vehicle. A car is considered totalled when the cost of repair exceeds the value of the car.
Deductibles are the amount that is paid out of pocket for a given claim before insurance can be paid. Deductibles will vary based on your policy, but the higher the deductible, the lower the premiums and vice versa.
You should only make a claim for hail damage if the cost of repair or replacement exceeds your deductible amount. For example, if the damage is $500 and your deductible is $1,000, then there is no use in filing a claim because you’d have to pay the $500 out of pocket regardless. Getting a quote from a repair shop before filing a claim is a good idea.
Some insurance providers also make special exceptions for glass repairs with regard to deductibles. If the glass is repaired instead of replaced, an insurance company might be inclined to waive the deductible. They may also offer full glass coverage, meaning that they cover all glass damages without deductibles.
Be sure to check with your provider what coverage they offer.
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When you make a claim for an at-fault collision, your monthly premiums will likely increase. This is not necessarily the case for making a claim due to hail damage.
Generally speaking, making one or two claims for hail damage will not affect your insurance rates. However, if you make frequent claims, regardless of why they are made, then you will be flagged as a high-risk customer and your insurance rates are likely to increase.
Regardless of whether or not you have insurance coverage, avoiding hail damage to your vehicle will save you a ton of hassle. Here are some tips:
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Hail damage is generally covered by car insurance, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. But preventing hail damage is often easier than filing a claim for compensation and can save you money. Stay safe out there, but check your coverage to make sure you’re protected should the unexpected happen.
Margaret Huntley Margaret Huntley is a creative writing and philosophy student at Western University. She has been working as a freelance writer for over two years and has written about everything from insurance, to poker, to health and wellness for international businesses.
