As weather begins to change during the autumn, cold fronts can often bring severe storms. Though these storms often do not last long, they can be very intense. Depending on the conditions, one of the hazards that might arise is hail. It can range in size from small pellets to ice chunks the size of baseballs. Regardless of size or duration, hail can prove very damaging to outdoor items including vehicles.
No one likes to have a car damaged by hail. Not only is it visually unappealing, but also it might cost a lot of money to repair. Body damage costs are often considerable, however, car insurance might help alleviate this burden. Most policies cover physical damage from hail. You will just need to make sure your full policy includes the right terms and conditions.
Hail Damage Coverage on Car Insurance
No one really can tell when hail will occur during severe weather. So, it is often hard to know if you will get caught in a storm while on the road or when your car is not parked in a covered area. 
Hail falls extremely fast and is very dense. Therefore, when it hits a car, it can dent the body, break windows and even in severe cases cause irrecoverable damage. You might not be able to prevent the damage unless you have the fortune to have a car cover or park in a garage. Therefore, your car insurance usually will make accommodation for it.
Car insurance policies contain a type of coverage called comprehensive damage insurance. It pays for vehicle damage that arises from unexpected events that are not related to collisions. Hail usually falls within the scope of this coverage.
However, many auto policies do not automatically include comprehensive coverage. Therefore, when you buy your policy, you’ll need to tell your agent that you want this protection.
How much will comprehensive coverage pay?
When you make a claim for hail damage, your policy will clearly explain how much it will pay for the repairs.
-
A damage deductible will apply. So, if you have a $500 deductible and sustain $3,000 in hail damage, then you pay the first $500 for repairs and your insurer pays the remaining $2,500.
-
If the cost of the repairs is lower than the deductible cost, then your policy will not pay.
-
If hail damage totals the car, then your insurer will pay you for the value of the car. Most policies pay based on a car’s cash value. This factors in the car’s depreciation up to the time of the damage.
You cannot buy coverage for hail damage after the fact. Usually, this will only add a few extra dollars to your premium. Additionally, you should make a claim in the immediate aftermath of hail damage so that you don’t run into any statute of limitations.
Posted Friday, June 04 2021 11:45 AM
Tags : auto insurance, hail damage
|