Here in the Capital Region, it may seem the likelihood of damage from a hail storm is low, compared to places like Oklahoma or Texas. However, it is actually very common for even small hail to cause significant damage to a vehicle. When it does, car insurance may offer some coverage.
You may want to consider the amount of damage to your vehicle before submitting a claim. Just because there is damage, it may not always be wise to file a claim. How can this be?
Comprehensive Car Insurance Covers Hail Damage
There is coverage on your car insurance that can help cover the losses associated with hail. Comprehensive, or "Other than Collision" coverage provides financial protection to your vehicle in unavoidable incidents. These are often incidents where your car is stationary, or you're not actively in contact with other vehicles.
Comprehensive insurance covers storm damage, including hail damage. You can file a claim with your carrier for any damage caused by the storm when Comprehensive is part of your plan. Keep in mind that not all car insurance policies include this type of coverage.
What Type Of Damage Does It Cover?
Hail storms can create a significant amount of damage if the hail is large or consistent enough. They can also cause damage if the impact of the hailstones is quite strong. If you have damage to the paint or the structure of the car, a claim can help cover the repair costs. Your insurance company can help pay for the bodywork or window replacement necessary to get the car back to the same quality it was before the hailstorm.
Should You File A Claim?
It is important to consider the value of filing a claim for limited damage. If hail causes a pockmark on your car, it may be ugly to look at, but it may be inexpensive to fix. The very large majority of car insurance policies have a deductible that would apply to this Comprehensive claim. If the cost of the damage does not exceed the deductible amount, the insurance company will not pay you. For example, if you have $300 worth of damage to the car and a deductible of $500, there is no coverage here.
If you have hail damage, and are unsure what to do, contact your Ten Eyck Group agent. Your agent can help you get to a proper repair center to determine the cost of the repairs. Having a knowledgeable and responsive agent is vital in situations like hail damage where you are unsure if putting in a claim is best. Most policies give you a short amount of time to file for these losses, so being able to act promptly is important. We are ready to help you navigate any issues that can arise out of the upcoming spring and summer storms in Albany, or wherever you may be.
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