Central Texas gets hail most often in spring, and a single storm can leave dozens of dents across a car’s hood, roof, and trunk. The good news: hail damage is usually covered by insurance if you carry the right coverage.
Is hail damage covered?
Hail is covered under comprehensive coverage, sometimes called “other than collision” coverage. It is not covered by liability-only policies. If you carry comprehensive, your comprehensive deductible applies, which may be different from your collision deductible.
Check your declarations page to confirm:
- that you carry comprehensive coverage,
- your comprehensive deductible.
A hail claim is generally treated differently from an at-fault accident, since nobody caused it, but how a claim affects your premium depends on your insurer.
Right after the storm
- Photograph everything in daylight, with the car clean if possible. Hail dents are easiest to see at an angle, in reflections. Take wide shots of each panel and close-ups.
- Note the date, time, and location of the storm. Your insurer will ask.
- Check glass, mirrors, lights, and trim for cracks, not just the paint.
- Report the claim to your insurer. Many policies require prompt notice.
- Get an estimate from the shop of your choice. In Texas, your insurer cannot require you to use a particular repair shop (Texas Insurance Code sections 1952.301 and 1952.302).
How hail damage is repaired
The repair depends on how many dents there are, how deep they are, and whether the paint cracked:
- shallow dents with intact paint can often be worked back into shape,
- cracked or chipped paint means the panel needs paint work,
- a panel that is heavily damaged may make more sense to replace.
An estimate goes panel by panel so you and your insurer can see what each one needs.
Roofs are a special case. Because the roof is hard to reach from behind without removing the headliner, roof hail work takes longer.
Hail and your title
Many Texas drivers worry that a large hail claim will brand their title. Under the Texas Transportation Code, a vehicle on which an insurer paid a hail damage claim is generally excluded from the definition of a salvage motor vehicle. Check with the Texas DMV for your specific situation.
Watch out for storm chasers
After big storms, out-of-town repair operations often set up in parking lots. Some do good work. Before you hand over your keys, check that the business has a fixed local address, reviews from local customers, and a written estimate. You want someone you can find again if a dent comes back.
Get your hail damage looked at
Call us, book a time, or bring the car to 3801 Wadford St in South Austin, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Learn more about our dent repair.