After the Storm: Handling Hail Damage on Vehicles Effectively

Hail storms come without a warning and can destroy your vehicle, costing you a lot of money.  

According to this article, State Farm’s report on 2021 hail claims found the average hail claim for vehicles was $5,000. That’s up 16% from the 2020 report that showed auto hail claims averaging around $4,300. To help you avoid costly repairs, here’s what to do after the storm hits.

Hail Damage? Here's What To Do Next:

windshield Hail Damage Checklist with an SUZ to the left with a starburst crack on its windshield

Black icon of a light bulp emanating light to signify that the bulb is on. What you should know about hail damage and insurance What you should know about hail damage and insurance:

You are covered if you have comprehensive insurance or “other than collision” insurance. You have to submit a claim and then pay the deductible. If the damage is not more than the deductible, it is not worth claiming. But if the damage is major, your car could be totaled.

A simple red icon of a telephone handset with sound waves emanating from it, enclosed in a circle, representing a phone call or communication. How to inform your insurance company:

Call your insurance company with your insurance card in hand. It is helpful to have pictures of the car and the hail size for reference. They will then want to set up an appointment to look at the car. Make sure in this meeting that the adjuster is thorough and points out any spots that you think they might have missed. Only the things documented will be repaired. Keep in mind that although the insurance company will give you recommendations on where you should take your vehicle, it is completely your choice.

Black icon representing "no." What if you dont want to fix the damage What if you don’t want to fix the damage?

If your car is damaged enough to submit a claim and you own the car, you can submit the claim and keep the reimbursement. This works well if you have an older car and were going to get a new one soon anyways, or if it is already pretty damaged from a previous incident. But if you have a loan out on the car, you have to fix the car completely.

A simple red icon of a tombstone with the letters 'RIP' engraved on it, representing the concept of something being deceased or ended. What if your car is totaled?

If your car is totaled because of the storm, your insurance will give you the money for what your car is worth.

A black-and-white illustration of a car viewed from the front, with a large crack in the upper left corner of the windshield. Is your windshield cracked?

If you notice any hail damage to your windshield, you’ll likely need it repaired or replaced quickly. Windshield hail damage is a safety issue and in some cases, it can even be illegal to drive with a hail cracked windshield.

If hail has only slightly damaged your windshield, you may be able to have it repaired instead of replaced. Windshield repairs can keep costs down since only a small area of the windshield will need to be fixed. By helping to keep insurance costs down, you will maintain your insurance premiums. Additionally, some insurance companies will cover glass repairs with no deductible because it is less expensive than a full windshield replacement.

Windshield replacement, on the other hand, may be needed for more extensive windshield hail damage. Hail damage to your windshield that is directly in front of the driver is damage that is not considered “small”. Windshield replacement is covered under the comprehensive portion of auto insurance policies. For drivers without insurance coverage, windshield replacement costs vary by location, vehicle make and model, and the type of glass used. If your auto glass suffered most of the hail damage, hire a professional to fix or replace the glass.

At Auto Glass Express, we are approved by all major insurance companies and have experience working with them. If you are too busy to file your claim, all we need is:

  1. Name of your insurance carrier
  2. Your vehicle's policy number
  3. Your vehicle's Year, Make and Model
  4. The date the damage happened to your vehicle

From there, we’ll do the work for you! We handle the paperwork, assist in setting up the claim, and directly bill your insurance company.

How to get hail dents out yourself:

A simple red icon depicting a person inspecting or repairing a car, with a starburst symbol on the car's surface, indicating damage or a dent.

This is only recommended if you are confident in your abilities to do so. The options are not guaranteed to fix the dents. There are two common ways to fix the dents from hail:

  1. Heating and cooling

  2. Dent repair kits

Check out how here.

A simple red icon of a cloud with a lightning bolt underneath, representing a storm. Expecting a storm? How to protect your car from hail damage.

  • Sign up for comprehensive insurance if you don’t want to have to worry about paying large amounts out of pocket.

  • If possible, get your vehicle under something. A garage, underpass, gas station, or anything else with a cover that would protect your vehicle from hail damage while not putting yourself in danger. Avoid parking under trees as they may fall over in a large storm.

  • Put a thick blanket or rug over your vehicle to reduce the impact of hail hitting your car.

  • If you are driving, bring your car to a complete stop. This will reduce the impact of the hail and it is best for your safety.