Most of the confusion around hail claims comes down to one line on the policy.
Hail is comprehensive, not collision
Comprehensive covers damage that is not a crash: hail, flood, fire, theft, falling objects, animal strikes. It is optional coverage in every state. If you carry liability only, hail damage is yours to pay for.
Your comprehensive deductible is the amount you pay before the insurer pays. Common figures are 250, 500 or 1,000 dollars. It is often different from your collision deductible, so check the declarations page rather than assuming.
Does a hail claim raise your rate?
Comprehensive claims are generally treated differently from at-fault collision claims, because hail is not something you caused. Many carriers do not surcharge for a single comprehensive claim. That said, this varies by carrier, by state and by your claims history, so the honest answer is: ask your agent directly and get it in writing.
When filing is not worth it
Run the arithmetic before you open a claim:
- Light damage, high deductible. If the repair is 600 dollars and your
deductible is 1,000, there is no claim to make.
- You are close to a policy change. Worth a conversation with your agent
first.
And when it clearly is worth it:
- Glass is involved. Windshield and sunroof replacement puts most hail cars
well past any deductible.
- Dent counts in the hundreds. Sustained hail produces damage that no
deductible is going to cover.
On deductible assistance
You will see shops advertise that they will cover or absorb your deductible. The legality of this varies significantly by state. Some states permit it, others treat it as insurance fraud, and the rules change.
Our position: we absorb your deductible as part of our pricing, so an insured customer pays $0. Ask any shop to put its deductible policy in writing before you hand over the car.
Before you file
Photograph the vehicle, note the storm date, and get the damage scoped under lighting so you know the real number before you commit. Schedule an in-person estimate.