Hail Damage Insurance Claims: Penalized for Filing?

Hail damage repair is expensive and can cost insurance companies thousands of dollars. If your car was damaged by hail, you might wonder if you should file a claim. And if you do file a claim, will your insurance premium rate rise because of it? You are not alone in your questioning.

This is a very common question. 

You may think that if you file a hail damage insurance claim, your rate will go up. However, this is not true in all cases.

You will not be penalized for filing a claim because you are not able to control bad weather or its consequences. Hail storms are considered“Acts of God” or of natural cause. Therefore, there is nothing you can do to stop them from happening.

Although most insurance companies do not raise rates for hail damage, in unique circumstances, your insurance may increase your rate if you have already filed a hail damage claim within the past three years and this is your second one. 

With that said, when hail destroys personal property, most people will not be penalized for filing a hail damage claim. Finding out if you have hail repair insurance coverage is the first step you should take. If you have legitimate damage to your property, your insurance company has to comply with the agreed contract.  

What is the Average Hail Damage Repair Cost?

According to insurance.com, “The average hail claim is about $3,000—but light hail damage might not be enough to even meet your deductible, while heavy hail damage, although mostly cosmetic, can total even a brand-new car.”

What does this imply? You cannot fully predict how much hail damage repair will cost. It depends on whether the hail damages are heavy or light, and also on whether they are extensive or cosmetic.  

Does my Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?

Let’s establish one fact: If you have comprehensive insurance, also known as “other than collision” insurance, you will be covered for hail damage. But if you have liability-only coverage on your car insurance policy, you cannot make an auto hail damage claim. 

What does this imply? When you are purchasing car insurance, ensure that you consider whether the comprehensive option is a better plan for you. Although you cannot predict the weather, you can reflect on questions such as whether you live in a hail-prone state. 

In general, insurance carriers require that you purchase comprehensive insurance ahead of time. They may typically put a hold as to when you can purchase comprehensive insurance. For example, if a hurricane or other natural disaster will happen in the near future, this situation may happen.

Will my Hail Damage Insurance Rate Increase Based on my Geographical Location?

While insurance companies do not directly increase rates based on your location, you may find out that in states where many hail damage claims have been filed in the past, insurance companies will offer higher premiums. 

Insurance companies are also out to make a profit. At the end of the day, they carefully consider what rates they offer so that they can protect their bottom line. 

Hail Damage Repair Costs at Hail Specialists

When you discover that your car has been damaged by hail, remember that insurance companies have a short window within which you can file a claim. This is why we encourage our customers to ask us to inspect your car as fast as possible.

Our experts are knowledgeable about the costs of hail damage repair. From guiding you in your decision-making process, and taking care of your insurance filing, we want you to know that we are here for you with our solutions. We’ll handle the entire insurance process, pay your deductible, and offer a lifetime warranty, all at a fast turnaround. 

For all your hail damage repair questions, contact Hail Specialists today.