What Insurance Covers After a Hailstorm: Home & Auto
Blog Entry - May 04, 2026
What to Know About Insurance Coverage Before a Hailstorm Strikes
Hailstorms can hit fast and without much warning. When the skies turn dark, there is not always time to move vehicles to safety or double-check your insurance coverage.
Knowing how your auto and home insurance respond to hail damage before a storm can help you make more informed decisions and avoid surprises later.
Below is a simple overview of how hailstorms typically affect auto and home insurance coverage.
What's Covered & What's Not?
Car Insurance
Hail damage to your vehicle is a common concern during storm season. Whether or not repairs are covered depends on the type of coverage you carry.
Liability Coverage Does Not Cover Hail
Many people think that auto liability coverage, which is required in many states, will pay for hail damage. In reality, liability coverage only helps if you cause an accident and need to pay for someone else’s injuries or property damage.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive auto coverage helps pay for damage to your car when no one is driving it. This includes things like hail damage or a tree branch falling on your vehicle. Some policies also cover theft and vandalism. Comprehensive coverage generally comes with a deductible, which is the amount you would pay out-of-pocket when you make a claim.
Will a Claim Affect My Premium?
If you file a comprehensive claim for hail damage, it becomes part of your insurance history. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, filing multiple claims over time can affect your premium, even if the damage was weather-related and not something you caused.
What Happens After You File a Claim?
After a hail claim is submitted, you will usually:
1. Work with a claims adjuster to assess the damage.
2. Get repair estimates from a body shop.
3. Learn whether repairs are approved or if the vehicle is considered a total loss.
A vehicle is typically declared totaled when repair costs exceed its actual cash value. If you carry comprehensive coverage, the insurer would pay that value, which can be used toward another vehicle.
To reduce future risk, some drivers also choose preventive measures like padded car covers during severe weather season.
Review Your Auto Policy Hailstorms Are Becoming More Costly Across the U.S.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the U.S. experienced more than 5,400 hail events in 2025, with Midwest states like Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota among the most impacted.
In recent years, insurers have reported billions of dollars in hail-related losses driven by increased storm activity, rising repair costs, and continued development in storm-prone areas.
What's Covered & What's Not?
Homeowners Insurance
Most standard homeowners insurance policies include coverage for hail damage.
- Dwelling coverage helps pay to repair damage to your home’s structure, such as the roof, siding, or windows.
- Personal property coverage may help replace belongings damaged by hail if they are inside the home.
When Hail Damage May Not Be Covered
In areas with frequent severe storms, some insurers limit wind and hail coverage or apply a separate deductible. Wind and hail are among the most common property claims and average more than $14,700 per claim, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Without coverage, you would have to pay for repairs yourself if a storm damages your home.
Options If Your Policy Has Limited Hail Coverage
If wind and hail coverage is restricted, you may have alternatives depending on your insurer:
1. Standalone wind and hail coverage with its own deductible
2. Policy endorsements that add wind and hail coverage for an additional premium
Review Your Homeowner's Coverage
Act Now, Save Later
Take Action Before the Next Storm
Hail damage can be costly, but the right coverage can help reduce financial stress if a storm hits. Reviewing your auto and home policies now allows you to understand deductibles, limitations, and options while you still have time to make adjustments.
Now is the time to review your coverage and make sure your home and vehicles are protected before the next hailstorm arrives.
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