Does Car Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
- Hail damage is only covered if you have comprehensive insurance—not liability.
- Filing a hail claim may raise your rate slightly, but skipping it makes sense if repairs cost less than your deductible.
- Older cars can be totaled by hail if repair costs exceed their value—especially with high deductibles.
Does car insurance cover hail damage?
Yes, but only if you have comprehensive insurance. This type of insurance protects against “what-if” scenarios that don't involve collisions: hail, fire, theft, floods, fallen trees, and more. If a storm dents your car, cracks your windshield, or damages your sunroof, you can file a claim to help with repairs.
Just make sure your policy was active before the storm, since insurers won’t let you add or change coverage when severe weather is already forecast (a “binding restriction”). In 2024, there were more than 5,000 serious hail events in the U.S., with Texas and Kansas seeing the most.[1] Be prepared ahead of time this year by making sure you've got the right coverage.
Comprehensive vs. Collision Insurance Coverage
What's the difference between collision and comprehensive insurance? Our insurance experts dive into the details of each.
How much does comprehensive coverage cost?
The cost of comprehensive coverage depends mostly on your vehicle’s value and your deductible. If your car is expensive to replace, your premium will likely be higher.
According to our data, the average cost of full coverage (which includes both comprehensive and collision) in 2026 is about $1,084.[2] Most comprehensive deductibles range from $500 to $1,000, but that can vary by insurer.
Comparing quotes based on your unique driving profile is smart for getting the best price. Below, you’ll find average rates for comprehensive coverage in different parts of the U.S.
States by region:
- Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.
- Southeast: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
- West: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Travelers | $613 | $102 |
| USAA | $721 | $120 |
| American Family | $728 | $121 |
| GEICO | $833 | $139 |
| Progressive | $980 | $163 |
| Nationwide | $1,043 | $174 |
| Farmers | $1,086 | $181 |
| State Farm | $1,090 | $182 |
| Allstate | $1,320 | $220 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Is comprehensive coverage required?
Not always, but it depends on your situation. If you lease or finance your car, your lender will likely require full coverage, including comprehensive. It’s also a smart choice if you want to protect your car’s resale value.
Even when it’s not required, comprehensive coverage is worth considering, especially if you live in a hail-prone or storm-heavy area. According to our data, 70% of drivers carry full coverage, typically including liability, collision, and comprehensive.[2]
Get covered before a storm happens.
Will a hail claim increase car insurance rates?
Probably—but not by much. Comprehensive claims usually have less impact than at-fault accidents, since weather events are out of your control. Still, insurers may raise rates based on overall storm-related claims, even if you didn’t file one.
Rate adjustments also depend on the level of damage the car sustains and your claims history. The more claims you file (even if they aren't your fault), the more likely your rates will get more expensive! If your premium goes up, it’s a smart time to compare quotes—every insurer handles rate changes differently.
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | 1 comp claim | 2 comp claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $1,484 | $1,524 | $1,566 |
| American Family | $795 | $887 | $971 |
| American National | $688 | $704 | $708 |
| Farmers | $1,202 | $1,258 | $1,348 |
| GEICO | $949 | $963 | $981 |
| Nationwide | $1,070 | $1,070 | $1,077 |
| Progressive | $1,076 | $1,210 | $1,276 |
| State Farm | $1,178 | $1,178 | $1,178 |
| Travelers | $723 | $878 | $917 |
| USAA | $831 | $831 | $838 |
Source: The Zebra
Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
Explore how homeowners insurance covers hail damage, including roof, siding, and property repair, and understand key factors like deductibles and impact.
Should you file a claim for hail damage?
It depends. Ask yourself:
-
Does the damage exceed your deductible?
If not by much, it may not be worth filing—your out-of-pocket cost would still be high, and a claim could affect your rate. -
Are you planning to sell or trade in your car?
Visible hail damage can lower its value, so filing a claim might help preserve resale potential. -
Are you leasing or financing?
Lenders often require repairs, even if the damage is just cosmetic.
If you're unsure, get a repair estimate first to see if a claim makes sense.
Most insurance companies offer 24/7 claim support—online, through a mobile app, or by phone. When you're ready to file, be prepared to share key details like what happened, when and where it occurred, and any damage you’ve noticed. Having your policy info handy can speed things up. Remember: your insurer’s job is to help you recover. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you’re unsure about anything.
Is gap insurance a good idea?
Gap insurance can be especially helpful after hail damage if your car is totaled and you owe more on your loan or lease than the car’s value. While your comprehensive coverage pays the actual cash value (ACV), gap insurance covers the “gap” between that payout and the remaining balance on your financing — potentially saving you from having to pay out of pocket for a car you can no longer drive.tions (like gap insurance)
Find cheap comprehensive coverage today.
Car insurance and hail damage FAQs:
Real help, right here.
-
Facts + Statistics: Hail. Insurance Information Institute
-
Anonymized user surveys. The Zebra
RECENT QUESTIONS
What coverage do I need if I hit a deer?
Does State Farm cover rodent damage to my car's electrical wiring through comprehensive coverage?
Should I file a claim for raccoon damage?
Will insurance cover a leak in my car's sunroof?
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.