Hail and your insurance
Hail on your car?Here’s how the claim works.
Hail is usually a comprehensive claim. If it’s covered, you pay your deductible and your carrier pays the rest of the agreed repair. Before you call them, send Jason a few photos and find out what the hail actually did.
Free photo review. You decide about the claim afterwards.
From storm to repaired car
Four decisions, and they’re all yours.
- 01
See the damage first.
Roof and hood dents are hard to see from the driver's seat. Send photos, or book a 15-minute hail evaluation, and learn what's there before anything goes on file.
- 02
Decide whether to file.
Hail normally falls under the comprehensive part of your policy, not collision. Whether it's covered, and what a claim means for your policy, is your carrier's call, and they can tell you before you file.
- 03
Open the claim and choose the shop.
Keep the claim number handy. Your insurer may suggest a shop, but where your car gets repaired is your decision.
- 04
Estimate, then repair.
Book the 90-minute hail estimate and bring the claim number. Jason writes the estimate in the format your insurer expects and works with your carrier on the repair. Nothing starts until you approve it.
Three words on your policy.
- Comprehensive
- The part of an auto policy for damage that doesn't come from a collision. Hail claims normally go here.
- Deductible
- The amount you pay on a covered claim, set in your policy. It's yours to pay. Your carrier pays the rest of the agreed repair.
- Agreed repair
- The scope and price your carrier and the shop settle on after the estimate. You approve it before any work starts.
Why it matters for the claim
Carriers often prefer paintless repair.
Paintless dent repair works each hail dent out from behind the panel. The factory paint stays on the car, there’s no filler and no colour to match, and it’s usually the less expensive way to fix the same damage. That’s good for your car and simpler for your claim.
Cracked paint or stretched metal can change the method. Jason tells you at the estimate, not after.
Straight answers.
Will a hail claim raise my rates?
That's your carrier's decision, and it varies by company. Ask them before you file. What we can tell you first, for free, is what the damage actually is.
Will you cover or waive my deductible?
No. The deductible is part of your policy and it's yours to pay. Be wary of anyone who offers to make it disappear.
Do I have to use the shop my insurance company suggests?
No. Your insurer may recommend a shop, but where your car gets repaired is your decision.
How long after a storm can I file?
Your policy sets the window for reporting a loss, so check it or ask your carrier. Photos and the storm date make it easier, which is why step one is taking a few.
What if I'd rather not file a claim?
Then you pay for the repair yourself. The estimate is the same and still free, and you see the number before you decide.
Can you price hail from photos?
Photos show the general damage and help you decide what to do next. A full hail count needs an in-person look under shop light, and that estimate is free too.
Find out what you’re dealing with.
Send photos before you decide anything. Jason looks at them and texts you back.