If you’re a car owner in Texas, then you know how unpredictable the weather can be. One minute it’s sunny and warm, and the next you’re dealing with a hailstorm. So, as we approach the hail season of March through August, what happens if your car is hit by hail? Does car insurance cover hail damage? We’ll answer that question and give you some tips on how to deal with hail damage to your car. Stay safe out there, North Texans!
Who Is Most at Risk for Hail Damage?
Some states in the US are statistically far more likely to be battered by hailstorms, and of course, Texas is at the top of the list. With 637,977 hail damage claims made between 2017 and 2019 in Texas alone, Colorado and Nebraska trailed behind at #2 (380,066 claims) and #3 (150,673 claims) respectively. We might not see hailstorms very frequently here, but when we do, it’s proven that they hit us hard and leave billions in damages behind them.
Which Insurance Type Covers Hail Damage
The two most common types of auto insurance coverage are Liability and Comprehensive. Luckily, it’s a pretty straightforward answer here: In the vast majority of cases, liability insurance will not cover hail damage, but comprehensive coverage most likely will. Double-check your particular policy, but since Comprehensive was specifically designed to cover damage not caused by collision (i.e. hail damage), odds are good that you won’t be left with 100% of the bill.
Remember, this specific policy is optional except where required by leasing or auto loan terms. Many car owners try to save a few bucks by passing on this policy, which usually amounts to about $100 to $300 annually. However, you run the risk of spending much more, even thousands, once it’s too late. Without comprehensive coverage, any repair expenses will be all up to you.
How much does hail damage affect a car’s value?
As long as your insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, hail damage repair expenses should be taken care of. But what about when it comes time to sell your car? Will the repairs go on the vehicle report at AutoTrader or CarGurus, bringing down your value? Not if you go the paintless dent removal or PDR route! This method isn’t really a repair so much as a reversal. Thus, it’s like the damage never happened in the first place, leaving you and your car’s resale value unaffected by the stigma of repairs on its record.
Say you decide to leave your car as is after a rough hailstorm, every dent left in the body will most certainly damper the car’s value. With repairs costing anywhere from $75 to $200 and up for each dent, it may just come down to whether you prefer the expense of those repairs or receiving a lower sale from the next buyer.
If You’re Hit by Hail Damage, Act Fast!
If you’re faced with vehicle damage from hail in the coming months, don’t hesitate to contact your insurance agent immediately. Some providers will only consider or accept a claim if it’s filed within a certain timeframe after the incident.
If you’re able to do so safely, take a photo of the hail next to a size reference and ideally attach metadata recording when the photo was taken to support your claim of damage. Also, be sure to take photos of the damage itself to attach to your claim.
Even though there’s no way to always prevent damage made by Mother Nature, forward-thinking and a proactive insurance plan will always be your best bet once the storm has passed.
If your car has been affected by hail, don’t wait to take action. Contact your insurance agent and a BodyGuard representative at (469) 660-0128 today for help getting the damage fixed. We can work with you and your insurance company to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Plus, our teams of experts will get the job done quickly and efficiently so you can get back on the road in no time!