You step outside after a thunderstorm and see dents across your car’s hood and roof hail damage. Your first instinct might be to file a claim, especially if the damage looks severe or impacts your ability to drive. But then a question hits you:
Will filing a hail damage claim raise my car insurance rates?
This is a valid concern. Car insurance premiums are affected by the claims you make but not all claims are treated equally. In this guide, we’ll break down:
- How hail damage is categorized by insurers
- Whether it raises your premiums
- When it makes sense to file a claim
- Tips to avoid unnecessary hikes in your rate
By the end, you’ll have a full understanding of how hail damage claims work and what to do next.
What Type of Claim Is Hail Damage?
Hail damage falls under comprehensive coverage, not collision or liability.
Comprehensive insurance protects your car from non-collision events, such as:
- Hail
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Falling objects
- Flood
- Animal strikes
If you have comprehensive coverage (which is optional unless required by a lease/lender), then hail damage is typically covered minus your deductible.
Will Filing a Hail Damage Claim Raise My Insurance Premium?
In most cases, filing a hail damage claim will not raise your car insurance rate. That’s because:
- Hail is considered a “no-fault” natural event
- You can’t control the weather
- Comprehensive claims generally don’t impact your risk profile
However, there are exceptions based on your state and insurance company’s policies.
Important: While your base rate may not increase, your comprehensive coverage rate could rise slightly over time especially if:
- You file multiple comprehensive claims in a short period
- You live in a hail-prone state (e.g., Texas, Colorado, Nebraska)
When a Hail Damage Claim Might Affect Your Rates
While rare, there are situations where your overall insurance cost could go up after filing a hail claim:
1. Multiple Claims in a Short Timeframe
If you’ve recently filed a claim for theft, windshield damage, or a similar incident, your insurer may see a pattern of frequent claims, which can trigger a premium adjustment.
2. You File a Claim Without Comprehensive Coverage
If you incorrectly file a hail claim under your collision coverage, it could affect your rates because collision claims typically increase your risk rating.
3. High Claim Frequency in Your ZIP Code
In high-risk areas with lots of hail claims, some insurers may raise rates across the board due to increased payouts even if you’ve never filed a claim before.
How Much Could Rates Increase?
If a hail claim impacts your premium at all, the increase is usually minimal, typically in the range of $25 to $100 per year, depending on:
- The insurer’s rating algorithm
- The size of your deductible
- Claim history and total repair cost
According to a ValuePenguin study, comprehensive claims increase rates by only 3–5% on average, compared to 30%+ for at-fault accidents.
Should You File a Hail Damage Claim?
Here’s how to decide:
File a claim if:
- Your car is new or financed, and the damage affects resale or lease terms
- The damage exceeds your deductible by a significant amount
- You want your vehicle restored to pre-storm condition
Consider skipping a claim if:
- Your car is older and the damage is purely cosmetic
- The repair cost is less than or equal to your deductible
- You don’t plan to sell or trade in the vehicle soon
Example:
If your deductible is $500 and hail damage repairs cost $600, it might not be worth it. But if damage is over $2,000, a claim is likely worthwhile.
How Hail Claims Work (Step-by-Step)
1. Document the Damage
Take clear photos of all affected areas immediately after the storm.
2. Contact Your Insurer
Call your provider or file a claim online or through the mobile app. You’ll be assigned a claims adjuster.
3. Schedule a Damage Inspection
Your insurer may inspect the car in person or via photo submission.
4. Choose a Repair Shop
You can use your preferred shop or a shop recommended by the insurer.
5. Pay Your Deductible
Your insurer covers the rest of the repair bill beyond your deductible.
Note: Some repair shops offer paintless dent removal (PDR) for hail damage this is faster and may cost less.
What If You Don’t Repair the Damage?
If you pocket the claim payment but don’t fix the car:
- The insurer may pay less for future claims if they relate to the same area
- It could hurt your resale value or lease return inspection
- You might face issues with gap insurance payouts
Always confirm with your insurer how this will affect your policy.
Can You Avoid Hail Damage Premium Increases?
Yes, here’s how:
1. Park in a Garage or Covered Lot
This is the best way to prevent damage. Insurers may ask if your car is garaged overnight doing so can even lower premiums.
2. Move to Lower-Risk ZIP Codes
If you live in a hail-prone area and file multiple claims, moving to a lower-risk ZIP can lower premiums. This isn’t realistic for everyone, but it does impact rates.
3. Raise Your Deductible
Choosing a $1,000 deductible instead of $500 can lower your comprehensive premium significantly but only do this if you can afford the out-of-pocket cost after a storm.
4. Use a Weather Alert App
Apps like AccuWeather, The Weather Channel, or MyRadar can alert you to hail risk, giving you time to move your car to safety.
Real-Life Example
Driver: Megan, 35
Location: Denver, CO
Vehicle: 2021 Honda CR-V
Claim Type: Hail damage to hood, roof, and windshield
Repair Cost: $2,800
Deductible: $500
Insurance Response: Covered by comprehensive, payout of $2,300
Premium Impact: $0 increase at renewal
Megan said:
“I was nervous to file a claim, but my agent assured me it wouldn’t raise my rate. I got my car back in three days, fully repaired.”
FAQs About Hail Damage and Insurance
No. Hail damage is only covered under comprehensive coverage, which is optional unless required by a lender.
Possibly. While one claim won’t usually raise your rate, multiple claims in a short period may result in higher premiums or even non-renewal.
Without comprehensive, hail damage is not covered. You’ll need to pay for repairs out of pocket.
If your rate goes up, shopping around can help. Some insurers may ignore recent comprehensive claims during underwriting.
Not exactly. Some companies are more lenient with weather-related claims. Use Alias Insurance to compare providers and find one with flexible hail coverage.
Final Thoughts
So, does filing a hail damage claim raise your car insurance rate?
For most drivers, the answer is no, especially if it’s your first comprehensive claim. Hail damage is considered an act of nature, and insurers generally don’t penalize you for something out of your control.
But to protect yourself and your premiums:
- Only file a claim when it’s financially worth it
- Maintain your comprehensive coverage
- Be mindful of claim frequency in hail-prone areas
- Compare insurers to get the best rates for weather coverage
Ready to protect your car and your budget? Compare comprehensive coverage options today with Alias Insurance and find a policy that covers hail without breaking the bank.
