State Farm Auto Insurance: Hail Damage Protection

Hail can wreak havoc on your car, and State Farm offers comprehensive coverage to protect against this. Comprehensive coverage helps pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it's damaged by something other than a collision, including hail. This type of insurance is not required by law but is usually mandatory for leased or financed cars. It's important to note that there may be a deductible for comprehensive coverage, so it might not be worth filing a claim if the cost of repairs is less than or only slightly more than your deductible.

State Farm covers hail damage under comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive coverage is subject to a deductible, and hail damage to your windshield or windows might have a different deductible in some states. For example, in Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, insurers cannot charge a deductible for repairing or replacing a windshield, so the repair/replacement is free if you carry comprehensive insurance.

If you do not have comprehensive insurance from State Farm, you will need to pay out of pocket for hail damage to your vehicle.

Hail damage claims can be filed online or over the phone

If you suspect that your property has been damaged by hail, it is important to act quickly to file a claim. The sooner you file a claim, the sooner an adjuster can assess the damage and begin the repair process.

After you have filed your claim, a State Farm claims adjuster will contact you to schedule a time to inspect the damage and create a repair estimate. It is important to note that State Farm uses its own adjusters and inspectors to estimate the damage to your property, and these individuals may be motivated to save the company money. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to hire someone to inspect your property on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your damages.

If you are unsure whether your property has been damaged by hail, it is recommended that you have it inspected by a qualified professional as soon as possible. Hail can cause damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. On roofs, look for dents, cracks, or missing granules, which can appear as dark spots or areas where the underlying asphalt is exposed. Siding may have dents, cracks, or pierces, which may look like round bruises or pockmarks. Large hailstones can shatter windows, while smaller stones may leave cracks or chips in the glass. Vehicles may have dents or dings on the hood, roof, trunk, and fenders, as well as chipped, cracked, or broken windshields, windows, or mirrors.

Hail damage can be hard to spot, so it's recommended to get a professional inspection

If you suspect hail damage, it's important to act quickly and have your property inspected by a qualified professional as soon as possible. This will ensure that any necessary repairs are made in a timely manner and help prevent further damage from occurring.

• Roof: Look for dents, cracks, or missing granules (the small pebbles that cover the shingles). These can appear as dark spots or areas where the underlying asphalt is exposed.
• Siding: Hail can dent, crack, or pierce siding made of vinyl, aluminum, or wood. The damage may look like round bruises or pockmarks.
• Windows: Large hailstones can shatter windows, while smaller stones may leave cracks or chips in the glass.
• Cars: Dents and dings are the most common signs of hail damage on vehicles. Look for them on the hood, roof, trunk, and fenders.

If you're unsure whether your property has hail damage, a professional inspector will be able to assess the damage and provide guidance on any necessary repairs. They will have the knowledge and experience to spot even minor hail damage that you may not notice.

Additionally, if you plan to file an insurance claim for hail damage, most insurance companies will require an inspection by a qualified professional before approving the claim. They may also require photos or other documentation of the damage. By getting a professional inspection, you can ensure that you have the necessary evidence to support your claim.

In summary, while it is possible to spot some hail damage on your own, it is always recommended to get a professional inspection. This will help ensure that you identify all the damage, protect your property from further issues, and have the necessary documentation for insurance purposes.

State Farm will pay for the actual cash value (ACV) of the damaged structure

State Farm offers roof and property damage coverage for hailstorms for both homeowners and business owners. After a customer makes a claim, a State Farm claim representative will contact them to schedule an initial inspection visit. The company will then offer an initial payment for the actual cash value (ACV) of the damaged structure.

The actual cash value is the amount equal to the replacement cost minus depreciation of a damaged or stolen property at the time of the loss. In other words, it is the difference between a property's replacement cost value and depreciation. ACV is calculated by taking the replacement cost value of the property and subtracting the depreciation from it. For example, if you bought a computer for $10,000 four years ago and it was supposed to last for 10 years, but it ended up getting damaged in a fire, the computer would have depreciated by $4,000. At the time of the loss, the replacement cost value of the computer is $6,000, so the ACV is $2,000.

In the context of insurance, ACV is one of several methods used to establish the value of insured property to determine the amount the insurer will pay in the event of a loss. This means that State Farm will pay you the amount equal to the replacement cost of your damaged structure minus the depreciation of that structure at the time of the loss. This payment is intended to compensate you for the actual cost of replacing the structure.

It is important to note that the actual cash value is different from the actual value of a piece of property. Property insurance policyholders usually prefer to be reimbursed for the replacement cost rather than the actual cash value, as these amounts often differ. Additionally, some customers may be able to collect additional payment once repairs are completed if their policies include replacement cost provisions or other endorsements.

State Farm's guidelines indicate that damage will be covered when the lifespan of the material is reduced

State Farm auto insurance covers hail damage, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is crucial to understand that State Farm's guidelines indicate that damage will be covered when the lifespan of the material is reduced. This means that if the hail damage compromises the integrity of your vehicle, you can make a claim.

State Farm's guidelines specify that damage to roof coverings will be covered "when water-shedding ability or the life expectancy of the material is reduced". This means that if hail damage affects your vehicle's ability to shed water or reduces its expected lifespan, you may be eligible for coverage.

It is important to note that State Farm generally does not cover granular loss from normal wear and tear, as it does not typically compromise the roof's watertight integrity. However, if hail causes excessive granular loss alongside other damage that affects the roof's integrity, payment for granular loss may be considered.

When filing a claim for hail damage, it is essential to act quickly. You can file a claim online or over the phone, and you will need to provide your State Farm policy number and basic information about the damage, including the date of the hailstorm and a description of the damage. It is recommended to take photos or videos of the damage to support your claim.

After filing a claim, a State Farm claims adjuster will contact you to schedule an inspection and create a repair estimate. The adjuster will evaluate the extent of the damage and determine if your insurance company will cover the repairs or if your car is considered a total loss. If your car is repairable, State Farm will pay for the repairs minus your deductible. If your car is totaled, they will pay the actual cash value minus the deductible, which you can use towards purchasing a new vehicle.

It is worth noting that minor hail damage may not be worth claiming, as the repair costs may not exceed the deductible. Additionally, if you have previously made other claims, the total amount of claims could impact your rates, as multiple claims may indicate a higher risk.

Frequently asked questions