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February 14, 2024
When those golf ball-sized hailstones start pummeling your car or home, your first thought might be, “Will my insurance cover this?” It’s a common and important question, especially in regions prone to severe weather. If you’re wondering whether your liability insurance will help with those dents and dings, you need a clear answer before the next storm hits.
Let’s get straight to the point: liability insurance does not cover hail damage to your own property. This applies to both auto liability insurance and homeowners liability coverage. According to Progressive Insurance, “If you don’t carry comprehensive coverage, your car insurance will likely not cover hail damage repairs” 1. Understanding why requires knowing what liability insurance actually covers and what alternative coverage you need for hail protection.
Liability insurance, whether for your vehicle or home, serves one primary purpose: to protect you financially when you’re responsible for damage to someone else’s property or for injuries to others.
Auto liability insurance specifically covers:
Similarly, homeowners liability insurance covers:
Notice something important? In both cases, liability coverage is focused outward—it protects against damage you cause to others, not damage that happens to your own property.
| Feature | Liability Coverage | Comprehensive Coverage | Dwelling Coverage |
| Covers hail damage to your property | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Type of property protected | None of yours; only others’ property | Your vehicle | Your home & structures |
| Typical deductible | N/A for hail | $500-$1,500 | % of home value (often 1-5%) |
| Required by law | Yes (in most states) | No (optional) | No (but required by mortgage lenders) |
| Covers other types of weather damage | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (flood, wind, etc.) | ✅ Yes (varies by policy) |
| Protects against your actions that harm others | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Average annual cost | Lower | Medium | Part of home insurance |
| Worth it in hail-prone areas | Insufficient alone | Highly recommended | Essential |
Now that we’ve established liability insurance won’t help with hail damage, let’s look at what will:
Hail damage to your vehicle is typically covered under comprehensive coverage. This optional auto insurance coverage protects your vehicle from non-collision incidents including:
Without comprehensive coverage, you’ll be paying for hail damage repairs out of pocket. According to Liberty Mutual, “On average, the cost of repairs for a private passenger automobile with moderate hail damage is around $2,500” 2. In more severe cases, costs can rise significantly, making comprehensive coverage a wise investment in hail-prone areas.
For your home, hail damage protection falls under the dwelling coverage portion of your homeowners insurance policy, not the liability section. According to Insurance.com, “The dwelling coverage portion of your homeowners insurance covers your home, including the roof, and anything else damaged by hail” 3. Standard homeowners policies (HO-3) typically include coverage for hail damage to:
Some important points to remember about homeowners insurance and hail:
If you’re concerned about water damage resulting from hail-damaged roofs or windows, you might want to learn more about what comprehensive insurance covers for water damage.
If your property suffers hail damage, follow these steps to ensure a smooth claims process:
Document everything immediately:
Make temporary repairs if needed:
File your claim promptly:
Get repair estimates:
As noted by the Texas Department of Insurance, when filing a claim, it’s important to “take pictures and video of the damage” and “be available for the adjuster visit” to ensure they see everything 4.
For more guidance on the claims process beyond hail damage, check out our comprehensive guide on how to submit an insurance claim.
To maximize your coverage when dealing with hail damage:
For homeowners, understanding what your policy covers is crucial. Some may be surprised to learn about common misconceptions about home insurance that could affect your hail damage claim.
No. Liability insurance only covers damage you cause to others’ property or injuries to others. You need comprehensive coverage to protect your own vehicle from hail damage. For more details on liability coverage limitations, see our guide on things general liability insurance doesn’t cover.
Unlike accident claims, hail damage claims are generally considered “acts of nature” or “acts of God” and typically don’t result in rate increases for individual policyholders. According to U.S. News, “While one hail claim may not increase your premium, other factors can raise your rate” 5. If you live in an area with frequent hail events, regional rates may increase over time.
Consider your deductible amount. If the repair costs are only slightly higher than your deductible, it might not be worth filing a claim, as you’ll gain little financial benefit but will have a claim on your record.
Look for missing shingles, dents in metal components (vents, gutters, flashing), splatter marks where hail hit, and granules from shingles collecting in gutters. However, some damage may only be visible to trained professionals.
Insurance companies often impose moratoriums on new or modified coverage when severe weather is imminent. Additionally, most new policies have waiting periods before coverage takes effect, so last-minute changes typically won’t help with immediate threats.
Since liability insurance won’t cover hail damage, focus on:
Having the right coverage in place:
Preventive measures:
Hail damage can be costly and frustrating, and unfortunately, liability insurance—whether for your vehicle or home—simply doesn’t cover it. For proper protection:
Understanding these distinctions can save you thousands in out-of-pocket expenses when severe weather strikes. If you live in an area prone to severe weather, you might also want to consider extra protection with umbrella insurance for additional peace of mind.
Have questions about your specific insurance coverage and how it applies to hail damage? Don’t wait until after the storm. Call us at (818) 781-6630 to speak with an agent or chat with AI Agent Sky, available 24/7 at the bottom right.
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