We can’t tell when a hailstorm will strike. Therefore, it is usually prudent to prepare your car by keeping them in a secure area with a solid ceiling. However, what if we are driving or just parking our cars outside? We have no control over whether hail will strike and harm our cars. That is why it is best to have car insurance.
With various insurance coverage choices available today, we must familiarize ourselves with them. Determine whether policies would cover hail damage and other non-collision losses. Whether your car is protected against hail damage, it is always wise to be prepared and ready.
Liability and Car Collision Coverage for Hail Damage
Both liability insurance and collision coverage do not cover hail damage.
Liability Insurance
Unfortunately, liability insurance does not cover hail damage to your car. It only ensures that you get compensation only if another car was engaged in a road accident and caused damage to your car. This policy helps pay for the other driver’s medical costs and property damage if you are at fault in a car accident. Liability insurance does not cover the damage to your car and your medical bills.
Collision Coverage
Like liability insurance, collision coverage does not cover hail damage. It only pays for damage to your car caused by another vehicle in a covered accident. It is distinct from liability insurance, which covers just the other driver’s vehicle in the event of an accident.
Avoid the misconception that liability insurance and collision coverage will cover hail damage if you plan to get insurance from hail damage. Both liability insurance and collision coverage do not cover hail damage.
Comprehensive Coverage for Hail Damage
The comprehensive coverage covers hail damage.
The comprehensive coverage covers hail damage. It contributes to the coverage of storm damage, animal damage, and falling items — including hail.
Hail damage may cause vehicle body dents and dings, broken glass, and even interior water damage. Comprehensive assists in the repair or replacement of your car if it is damaged in a non-collision accident. Thus, to guarantee that your car is covered from hail damage, you must have comprehensive coverage.
Car Hail Damage To-Do List
Make sure that you have taken enough proof of the damage to be checked by your insurance provider. Avoid taking pictures or videos during the storm because it is dangerous. However, the aftermath of the storm is the best time to take some proof.
In addition, note this procedure in submitting your claim to your insurance company:
- Check your car insurance to ensure you have comprehensive coverage
- Photograph the damage and any leftover hail around the vehicle
- Record the time, date, and length of the storm
- Determine if the damage suffices to support a claim.
- To begin the filing procedure, contact your car insurance agent.
It’s critical to evaluate if the degree of the damage supports your claim rather than paying for a small aesthetic problem out of pocket. In most instances, filing a claim will NOT increase your auto insurance rates.
Car Insurance Claim After A Hail Storm
The claim filed after a hailstorm depends on hail damage. A hail storm claim may cost up to $3,000 on average. However, it may not exceed the cost of your deductible in more minor instances. Assume your deductible is $500, and your windshield gets chipped by hail. As discovered in prior studies, most windshield chips can be fixed for less than $130.
Paying for the repairs yourself would be more cost efficient than filing a claim with your insurance and paying the $500 deductible. However, even if the cost of repairs is more than your deductible, making a claim will not cause a premium increase.
Insurance Deductible For Hail Damage
Comprehensive coverage includes a deductible. It is the amount you must pay out of cash in the event of a claim. Increasing the deductible on your insurance may help you save money on your premium.
It’s beneficial to know that your insurer may waive the deductible on the glass part of your comprehensive coverage under certain situations. For instance, if your insurance waives the deductible if the glass is fixed rather than replaced. You may get comprehensive glass coverage as part of your policy, which usually eliminates the need for deductibles on glass claims.
Hail Damage Repair Cost in Colorado
If you have comprehensive coverage, your responsibility is limited to the amount of your insurance deductible. For example, assume the hail damage repair cost is $1,000, and your deductible is $250. You would make the $250 down payment, and the insurance company would cover the remaining costs.
Average Hail Damage Cost New Car
Insurance.com reports that the average hail damage claim is $3,000. In most instances, this would not total a new car. However, hail damage in Colorado has been severe enough to cause even a new vehicle to total.
Minor dents cost between $80 to $100 to fix, while medium-sized dents may cost up to $200. The more significant dents will be the most expensive, costing up to $300 apiece. Therefore, following a severe hailstorm, your new vehicle may need extensive repairs. In addition, if the car is totalled, you will need to buy a replacement.
Average Hail Damage Cost of Used Car
Given that the typical hail damage claim is about $3,000, it is workable for a used vehicle to be rapidly wrecked after a severe storm. However, having extensive insurance coverage guarantees that the owner is compensated for the cost of a replacement car.
It is the same price to repair hail damage on a new or old vehicle. The distinction is that major damage is required in order to declare an automobile a complete loss, which means you’d be searching for a new vehicle rather than hail repair.
Conclusion
A hail storm is an inevitable natural phenomenon that can damage our properties, especially our cars. Always inspect the coverages included in your policy.
While liability and collision coverage protects you from the cost of collision-related damages, only comprehensive car insurance covers non-accident damage like hail damage. Suppose you live in a region prone to severe hailstorms. Consider purchasing comprehensive vehicle insurance as a supplement to your regular policy.
Hail Free Solutions has been working to repair hail damaged cars for many years. In terms of deductibles and vehicle rentals, they may be able to help waive the deductible so you pay nothing out of pocket for your hail repairs. For additional information, please call us at 1-888-511-HAIL.
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