Is Hail Damage Covered?
Yes — under a comprehensive policy, hail damage to your own vehicle is covered as a standard weather event, alongside storms, floods and fire. Third-party and third-party fire and theft policies do not cover hail damage to your own car at all, since they only ever pay for damage to someone else's property.
What to Do Immediately After a Hailstorm
- Photograph the damage before any repairs, from multiple angles, in good light
- Avoid driving the car more than necessary if the windscreen or windows are cracked
- Contact your insurer promptly — after a major hail event, claims volumes spike and repairer availability tightens quickly
- Get an assessment before agreeing to any quick 'cash settlement' offer from a repairer that approaches you directly after a storm
Excess Still Applies
Your standard excess applies to a hail damage claim just as it would to any other comprehensive claim — hail isn't treated as a special no-excess event by most insurers, unlike windscreen-only damage which some insurers do cover excess-free.
After a Major Weather Event
Following widespread hailstorms, insurers can experience significant claims backlogs and repairer shortages in affected regions — lodging your claim as early as possible, and keeping records of any temporary protective measures you take (like a car cover), helps avoid disputes over further damage caused by delay.
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised financial advice. Premiums, terms and eligibility vary by insurer, state and individual circumstances — always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before buying.