Does car insurance cover storm damage?

You’re able to claim damage to your vehicle caused by a storm if you have comprehensive coverage. As with all insurance types, there are exceptions. And to make a successful claim, you may want to take a few extra steps to nail down the details of what exactly caused the damage.

Am I covered for storm damage?

First, you need to know if your car insurance policy actually covers storm damage. Typically, you will be covered if you have bought comprehensive insurance. Just having the state-minimum required liability insurance won’t protect you against storm damage.

Many insurers provide your policy information online. Sign in to your account and navigate to the page that lists your coverage details to find out what you have.

For example, if your provider is Progressive, click on your auto policy, then click on View under Coverage. All of the information that’s listed on the declarations page is included here. If not, you can always call your insurance provider to get help with finding out if you have comprehensive coverage.

Types of storm damage covered by comprehensive policies

General storm damage caused by intense weather can come in many forms. Your part of the country might be susceptible to hurricanes. Or your state might frequently be subject to hail storms.

Some types of storm damage that are generally covered under comprehensive include:

• Wind. Comprehensive covers damage directly caused by wind, such as windows broken by debris. Or if severe wind gusts topple a tree onto your car, comprehensive should cover you.
• Hail. A powerful hail storm can leave dents on the entire body of your car, as well as broken windows. If you don’t have comprehensive, you won’t be covered.
• Flood. If a severe storm causes flooding that damages your vehicle, comprehensive can help cover the costs. However, if your car is damaged due to a window being left open, you won’t be covered.
• Hurricane. A hurricane can bring strong winds and flooding — a double whammy. Hurricane damage falls under the general storm damage covered by comprehensive.
• Tornado. Tornadoes can flip your car or send debris flying into it even if it’s parked in your garage. You may be liable for damage your car causes to other property if it’s picked up by strong winds.

Is an act of God covered by car insurance?

Yes, typically “acts of God” or natural disasters are included with your comprehensive coverage. This could include an earthquake, flood, lightning strike or wildfire that caused damage to your car.

When won’t I be covered for storm damage?

If you don’t have comprehensive car insurance, you won’t be covered against storm damage to your vehicle.

However, even if you have comprehensive insurance there are some cases your claim may be denied. Usually this happens if your insurer discovers the incident was preventable.

How to file a claim for storm damage

Filing a claim for storm damage is done the same way as filing a claim after a car accident, and each insurer’s process is a little different.

You’ll need to send in a claims form and the documentation, either online or through the mail. Online will usually get you a faster response.

• Fill out the claims form provided by your insurer. It will have sections for all the relevant information.
• Send in your photos using the tools provided. In many cases your insurer will simply specify an email address you should send them to.

Your comprehensive car insurance policy may also cover a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired. If the storm has also damaged your home, you will need to check your homeowners insurance policy to see what types of storm damage are covered.

What info will I need?

• Your name, address and driver’s license number
• Your insurance policy number
• The date and, if possible, the exact time the damage occurred
• Any other information requested by the insurer

What to do after storm damage to your car

• Stay safe. Check your surroundings. Is there broken glass or downed power lines? Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Call for help if necessary.
• Don’t drive the damaged car. It’s not safe, and the insurer may reject your storm damage claim if you do.
• Don’t remove debris without documenting it. Ideally, avoid removing any debris until you have the go-ahead from your insurer. If you need to clear away dangerous glass or metal, or attempt a quick fix for safety reasons, take a photo first.
• Call your insurer as soon as possible. Note that if large areas were affected by the storm there may be long wait times for customer service.
• Don’t authorize repairs without contacting your insurer first. Unapproved repairs might not be covered by your insurance policy.

Top 3 ways to protect your car from storm damage

Want to prevent future damage to your car? If you know what’s coming, you can take steps to protect your car the next time there’s a bad storm.

1. Know when bad weather is coming

Stay on top of the news with services like the National Weather Service, which has up-to-date weather warnings. You can also sign up to receive warnings from insurers.

Many insurers have started offering storm warning services. If your insurance company offers one of these, it might be worth subscribing to.

2. Park your car somewhere safe

If there’s a hailstorm rolling in, you might want to get your car under cover. Pull your car into your garage or under the carport, or look for an underground parking garage, like in a shopping center. If you’re expecting heavy rain and have cause to be concerned, you might want to look for higher ground.

Think twice before parking under a tree. Falling branches are often the result of heavy winds, and can cause just as much damage as hail. Also watch out for loose roof tiles, TV antennas and anything else that might come from above.

3. Use tarps or blankets

If there’s no time for anything else, this might be the way to go. Layers of blankets and heavier tarps generally work better. But remember to secure them so they don’t just blow away.

Bottom line

A severe storm can cause a great amount of damage, including to your car. If this happens, filing a claim with your insurance provider is straightforward. Just be sure to follow the tips and steps laid out here.

Frequently asked questions about storm damage

• Does a red weather alert void my car insurance?

  No, driving during dangerous weather is sometimes a must, so your claim shouldn’t be denied even if you knew conditions were bad. However, your claim might be denied for any standard reasons not related to weather, like if you were driving irresponsibly in bad weather and hit another car.

• How long does it take for a storm claim to be paid out?

  The process typically takes a few weeks. After making your claim, insurers typically have 15 days to respond and 30 days to accept or reject your claim.

  A natural disaster or a regional storm, like a major wildfire or cat-four hurricane, can cause insurers to take longer to process your case because of the number of incoming claims.

• Can hail cause enough damage to total my car?

  Yes. It’s surprisingly easy for hail damage to cost more to repair than the vehicle is worth.

  One of the main reasons is that hail damage will typically be spread across the entire body of the car, so it can’t be fixed by just replacing a single panel or without a huge amount of work.