If you didn't think hail could damage your car, you might have been surprised to find your car covered with hundreds of tiny dents. Now that your car is damaged, you will need to contact your insurance company. Here are three things you need to know about hail damage and your auto insurance.

The Damage Might Not Be Covered

The good news is that hail damage is considered a natural event, which means your rates shouldn't go up. The bad news is that the damage might not be covered under your current policy coverage. This is especially true if your policy doesn't include comprehensive coverage.

If your car has been damaged in a hail storm, you will need to look at your policy to ensure you are properly covered. If you don't have comprehensive coverage, you should have your policy updated, especially if you live in an area that experiences frequent hail storms.

Your Car May Be Totaled

If there is only minimal damage to your car, the repairs should be easy to take care of. However, if the majority of your car is covered with hail dents, the insurance company may decide that your vehicle is a total loss. If that's the case, they may only offer you the salvage value of your vehicle. Unfortunately, that will probably be considerably less than your car was worth before the hail damage.

You Might Not Be Able to Get New Coverage

If you choose not to get the hail damage repaired – or you choose to keep your car rather than have it totaled – you may have a difficult time obtaining other insurance coverage for you vehicle. Most insurance companies will not insure a car that has sustained damage that is considered a total loss. You may choose to continue with your existing insurance coverage.

It's important to note that if there is a lienholder on your car – meaning you do not own your car free and clear – they may require you to have the repairs taken care of. If your car has been damaged by hail, contact your finance company, especially if the car is deemed a total loss.

If your car has been damaged in a hail storm, you'll need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. The information provided here will help you understand your insurance limits when it comes to hail damage. 

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