can you get insurance on a car with hail damage

Question

VanDavid · Accepted Answer

Yes, you can typically get insurance on a car with pre-existing hail damage. However, the existing damage will not be covered by the new policy. Insurance is designed for unforeseen future events, not issues that already exist. When you apply for coverage, you must disclose the damage. The insurer will likely note the condition, and any future comprehensive claims for new hail damage will be adjusted to account for the old damage.

The key is your coverage type. Liability insurance, which is legally required in most states, covers damage you cause to others' property and should be obtainable without issue. The challenge comes with comprehensive coverage, which is the part of your policy that would pay for hail damage. An insurer may still offer it, but they will exclude the pre-existing dents. In some cases, if the damage is severe, an insurer might decline to sell you comprehensive coverage altogether, deeming the car too high-risk.

If you already have a policy with comprehensive coverage when hail damage occurs, it's a different story. This is exactly what comprehensive insurance is for. You would file a claim, pay your deductible (the amount you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in), and the insurer would cover the repair costs, minus any previous damage.

Here’s a quick comparison of scenarios:

Scenario	Can You Get Insurance?	Is the Existing Hail Damage Covered?	Notes
Buying a New Policy on a car with existing hail damage	Yes, for liability. Comprehensive may be limited.	No	You must disclose the damage. The insurer will note it on the policy.
Renewing an Existing Policy that already includes comprehensive coverage	Yes	No, for the old damage. Yes, for any new damage.	The existing damage is pre-existing and excluded.
Filing a Claim after a hailstorm on a car that was previously undamaged	(Not applicable)	Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage.	This is the ideal scenario for using your insurance. Standard claim process applies.
Severe Pre-existing Damage (e.g., broken windows, large dents)	Likely only liability insurance. Comprehensive may be refused.	No	The vehicle may be considered a higher risk for future claims.

Before getting a new policy, it's wise to get quotes from multiple insurers. Be upfront about the hail damage to avoid issues later. If the damage is minor, you might decide it's not worth filing a claim and just maintain liability coverage.

SanBradley · Answer

From my experience, yeah, you can insure it, but don't expect them to pay for dents that are already there. I bought a used truck with a peppered hood and roof from hail. When I shopped for insurance, I just told them about it over the phone. They said it was fine for a liability policy, which is all I wanted anyway. It didn't really affect the price. They just notated the file. So, be honest about the damage when you get the quote. Trying to hide it could cause problems if you need to make a different claim later.

KinsleyAnn · Answer

Proceed with caution. While obtaining basic liability insurance is generally straightforward, securing full coverage can be problematic. The primary risk isn't just the exclusion of existing damage; it's the potential for increased premiums or a outright refusal for comprehensive coverage. Insurers assess risk, and a car with existing damage may be seen as more likely to have a future claim. Furthermore, if you fail to disclose the damage and later file a claim for something else, the insurer could investigate and potentially deny the claim based on misrepresentation. Always document the car's condition with photos before applying.

VanPatrick · Answer

Think of it this way: you're insuring the car from today forward, not for what happened to it yesterday. So, you can get insurance, but you need to have a conversation with your agent. Tell them, "The car has some hail damage, but I still want a quote for full coverage in case something new happens." They'll guide you. It really comes down to your own threshold. If the dents don't bother you, just get the state-mandated liability insurance. If you think another hailstorm might total the car, then you'll want that comprehensive coverage, even with the pre-existing issues noted.

CalebAnn · Answer

Absolutely, but it becomes a financial calculation. The main question shifts from "can I?" to "should I pay for comprehensive coverage?" If the car's value has already dropped significantly from the hail damage, paying a premium for comprehensive coverage plus a deductible might not make financial sense. The insurance payout for a future total loss would be based on the car's pre-damaged value, minus the cost of the existing hail repairs. This concept is called diminished value . For an older car with extensive hail damage, the most economical choice is often to just carry the required liability insurance and save the premium money.