Hail damage to a car is usually one of the more straightforward insurance claims, once you know how the pieces fit. Here's how it typically goes on a Texas auto policy. Your own policy is what decides the details, so read it or call your agent if anything here doesn't match.
1. Check that you have comprehensive coverage
Hail falls under comprehensive coverage (sometimes called "other than collision"). If you carry only liability insurance, hail damage to your own car isn't covered. Your declarations page lists which coverages you have and your comprehensive deductible.
2. Document the damage
Before anything else:
- Write down the date and approximate time of the storm.
- Take photos in daylight from several angles, including the roof, hood and trunk, which take most of the hits.
- Photograph any broken glass, mirrors or lights separately.
Shallow hail dents are hard to see in photos. That's fine. The photos establish when and that it happened; the inspection finds the rest.
3. File the claim
Most insurers let you file online, in their app or by phone. You'll get a claim number. Keep it handy, because everyone you deal with from here on will ask for it.
4. The adjuster writes an estimate
The insurer's adjuster inspects the car in person, at a drive-in claim center, or from photos, and writes an estimate. Hail is typically priced per panel, based on how many dents are on each panel and how big they are, plus extra time for things like removing the headliner to reach the roof or working on aluminum.
5. You choose the shop
Texas Insurance Code § 1952.301 bars insurers from limiting your choice of repair facility under a Texas auto policy. Your insurer can recommend a shop, and some have programs with preferred shops, but the choice is yours.
6. The shop inspects and supplements
A good hail repair shop re-inspects the car under line lighting, panel by panel. Adjusters work fast and shallow dents are easy to miss in daylight, so it's common to find more damage than the first estimate lists. When that happens, the shop sends the insurer a supplement: an itemized addition showing the extra panels and dent counts. The insurer reviews it and approves the additional amount if the damage is there.
7. The repair
With the estimate settled, the dents are removed. When the paint is intact, paintless dent repair keeps the factory finish and avoids repainting. Panels that are too damaged get replaced, and glass is handled separately.
8. Paying the deductible
You pay your comprehensive deductible, and the insurer pays the rest of the approved amount. Depending on the insurer, payment may go to you, to the shop, or to both of you jointly, especially if you have a loan on the car.
Common questions
Will a hail claim raise my rates? Hail is a comprehensive claim, not an at-fault accident, but how an insurer treats it at renewal depends on the company and your history. Ask your agent before you file if you're worried.
Can I keep the check and not fix the car? That depends on your policy and whether there's a lienholder. If the car is financed, the lender usually has a say. If you sell or trade it later, the unrepaired damage will lower its value.
How long do I have to file? Policies require prompt notice, and some set specific deadlines. File as soon as you can after the storm.