Yes, a car can be totaled by hail damage. An insurance company will declare a vehicle a total loss when the cost of repairing the damage exceeds a certain percentage of the car's Actual Cash Value (ACV). This threshold, known as the total loss threshold, varies by state but is typically between 70% and 80% of the ACV. While hail damage is often cosmetic, severe hail—like baseball-sized stones—can cause extensive dents on every body panel, shatter glass, and even damage lights or the roof structure. For an older car with a lower ACV, the high cost of paintless dent repair (PDR) or traditional bodywork on dozens of dents can easily push the repair bill over the threshold.
The likelihood of a car being totaled increases significantly based on its age and value. A new luxury SUV might withstand a costly repair, but a decade-old sedan with a lower market value is far more vulnerable. The type of hail damage also matters. Small, shallow dents might be inexpensive to fix with PDR, but large, deep craters that stretch the metal often require conventional repair, including filling, sanding, and repainting entire sections of the car, which is far more labor-intensive and expensive.
| Vehicle Type | Approximate ACV | Estimated Hail Damage Repair Cost | Likely Outcome |
|---|
| 2015 Sedan | $8,000 | $6,500 (PDR on hood, roof, trunk, all panels) | Totaled (Cost > 80% of ACV) |
| 2020 Compact SUV | $22,000 | $9,000 (Mixed PDR & conventional repair) | Repaired (Cost ~40% of ACV) |
| 2018 Luxury Sedan | $35,000 | $15,000 (Extensive PDR & glass replacement) | Repaired (Cost ~43% of ACV) |
| 2012 Hatchback | $4,500 | $4,000 (Severe dents on all surfaces) | Totaled (Cost > 85% of ACV) |
If your car is totaled for hail damage, the insurance company will pay you the vehicle's pre-storm ACV, minus your deductible. You can often buy back the salvaged vehicle at a reduced price if you wish to keep it, but it will have a salvage title, which affects resale value and insurability.
