Does My Auto Insurance Cover Hail Damage in Texas?

The Short Answer

Yes — if you have comprehensive coverage. No — if you only have liability.

Hail damage is covered under the comprehensive part of your auto policy. That's the coverage that pays for damage caused by things other than a collision — weather, theft, vandalism, falling objects, and yes, hail.

Liability-only insurance does not cover hail damage to your own car. It only pays for damage you cause to other people and their property.

Do I Have Comprehensive Coverage?

If your car is financed or leased, your lender almost certainly requires comprehensive coverage — so you likely have it.

If you own your car outright, comprehensive is optional. Many drivers drop it to save money on older cars. If you're not sure, that's a 30-second phone call we can make for you.

How Hail Claims Work

1. Document the damage

Take photos of every dent, from multiple angles. Note the date of the storm.

2. Call your insurance agent

File the claim as soon as possible. Hail storms affect many cars at once, so getting in early helps.

3. Get an estimate

Your insurance will send an adjuster, or ask you to visit an approved shop. Some companies now use photo-based estimates through an app.

4. Pay your deductible

Comprehensive claims have a deductible — the amount you pay before insurance covers the rest. Common deductibles are $100, $250, or $500.

5. Repairs

Once approved, the shop fixes your car. Many shops offer paintless dent repair for hail, which is faster and preserves your original paint.

Will a Hail Claim Raise My Rates?

In Texas, comprehensive claims for weather damage (like hail) generally do not raise your individual rates — because the damage wasn't your fault. However, if your area has a lot of hail claims, your whole area's rates may go up over time.

It's still almost always worth filing. The repair cost of hail damage can be thousands of dollars — far more than your deductible.

What If I Don't Have Comprehensive Coverage?

If you only have liability and hail damages your car, you'll pay for repairs yourself. This is why, if your car has real value, we usually recommend keeping comprehensive — even on older cars. It's often surprisingly affordable.

Act Before the Next Storm

East Texas hail can come fast and hit hard. The best time to check your coverage is before the storm — not after.

Not sure what you have? Want to add comprehensive coverage? We're a local, family-owned agency in Tyler, TX. Call (903) 595-5428 — hablamos español.