Does Car Insurance Cover Flood And Hail Damage?

A hailstorm leaves a car dotted with dents. A flash flood leaves it sitting in water up to the doors. In both cases, the question that follows is the same: will my insurance pay? The answer depends on which coverages you carry, and many drivers find out only after the damage is done.

The short answer: comprehensive coverage

Damage from hail and flooding is usually covered by comprehensive coverage, the part of an auto policy that handles non-crash events. That includes fire, theft, vandalism, falling objects such as tree branches, hitting an animal and weather damage including hail, flooding and wind. If you have comprehensive, your insurer pays to repair or replace the car, minus your deductible.

If you have only liability coverage, or only liability and collision, storm damage to your own car is generally not covered. Liability pays for harm you cause to others, and collision applies to crashes. Neither pays for hail dents or a flooded engine. Our guide to whether full coverage is worth it explains how these pieces fit together.

How hail claims work

Hail damage often looks minor, but repairing dozens of small dents can cost a lot. Specialists often use paintless dent repair, which removes dents without repainting, and many hail claims are handled this way. If the damage is severe, the insurer may declare the car a total loss.

Your deductible applies, and it is important to know what it is. In some hail-prone areas, insurers apply a separate or higher deductible for storm damage, sometimes as a percentage of the car’s value. Check your policy documents, and ask your insurer if you are not sure.

Why flood damage is serious

Water does far more harm to a car than most people expect. It can reach the engine, the transmission, the wiring and the electronic modules, and modern cars rely on a lot of electronics. Floodwater can also carry mud and chemicals, and in coastal areas saltwater is especially corrosive. A car with only a few inches of water inside can still develop expensive problems later, such as mold and failing electrical systems.

Because of this, flooded cars are often declared a total loss, even if they look fine from the outside. In a total loss, the insurer pays the actual cash value, which is what the car was worth just before the flood, minus your deductible.

What to do if your car is flooded

• Do not start the engine. If water has entered the engine, trying to run it can cause severe and costly damage.
• Take photos and video of the water level, the interior and the surroundings, if it is safe to do so.
• Contact your insurer as soon as possible and report the claim.
• Ask about towing. Many policies cover reasonable towing as part of a covered claim.
• Keep receipts for any temporary expenses and follow your insurer’s advice before arranging repairs.

You cannot buy cover when the storm is on the way

Many insurers place restrictions on new policies or added coverage when a hurricane or other major storm is approaching. The idea is simple: insurance is meant for uncertain risk, not for events that are already about to happen. If you live in a storm-prone area, check that you carry comprehensive coverage well before the season starts. Our article on how much car insurance you need can help you decide on the right level.

Be careful when buying a used car after a storm

After major floods and hurricanes, damaged cars sometimes find their way back onto the market. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has warned buyers about this and offers a free VINCheck tool that can show whether a vehicle has been reported as stolen or as a total loss. A vehicle history report can also reveal a branded title, such as salvage or flood. Look for signs such as a musty smell, silt in the trunk or under the seats, rust in unusual places and condensation in the lights.

What about glass?

Hail often cracks windshields. Glass damage is usually covered under comprehensive coverage, and some policies have a separate, lower glass deductible or even a zero-deductible glass option. Ask your insurer what applies to you.

Ways to protect your car

• Park in a garage or covered space when storms are forecast.
• Use a car cover or thick blankets if you cannot find shelter, but do not drive in a hailstorm just to find cover.
• Avoid parking in low areas that flood, and never drive through floodwater. Even a foot of moving water can sweep a car away.
• Keep photos of your car in good condition, along with your insurance details, in a safe place.

Check your deductible and your price

If you live in an area with frequent storms, your deductible matters more than usual. Our guide on how to choose a deductible shows how to weigh the cost and the risk. You can also look at auto insurance discounts, such as garaging your car, to help offset the cost of comprehensive coverage.

Storms are unpredictable, but your protection does not have to be. When you are ready to review your options, compare quotes with comprehensive coverage.

Written by the StateCarInsuranceUSA editorial team. Last updated November 3, 2026.

This article is for general information only and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Coverage, rules and prices vary by insurer and state.