What Happens If Your Car Is Damaged by Hail or Storm?
In a Nutshell: Comprehensive insurance covers hail, storm, flood, and cyclone damage to your car. Third party property and fire & theft policies usually don't. If you live in a storm-prone area, comprehensive cover is essential. After a major hail event, repair wait times can be months — and many cars are written off even with moderate damage.
What's Covered — By Policy Type
| Cover Type | Hail Damage | Storm/Flood | Cyclone | Bushfire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Third Party Fire & Theft | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Fire only |
| Third Party Property | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| CTP only | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
⚠️ Warning: If you only have third party cover, storm/hail damage to your car is your financial loss — comprehensive is the only way to be protected.
Hail Damage — What to Expect
| Hail Size | Typical Damage | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Pea size (<1cm) | Minor or no damage | May not exceed excess |
| Golf ball size (2–3cm) | Dents across panels — moderate damage | Repairable ($2,000–$5,000) |
| Tennis ball size (4–5cm) | Significant dents, cracked windscreen | Likely repairable ($5,000–$10,000) |
| Baseball size (5cm+) | Severe damage — broken glass, panel creasing | Many cars written off |
💡 Hail damage doesn't have to affect the drivability — it's mostly cosmetic. But it significantly reduces the car's resale value.
Hail Events in Australia — Major Claims
| Event | Year | Claims | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane hailstorm | 2014 | 100,000+ | $1.4 billion |
| Sydney hailstorm | 2020 | 40,000+ | $1.1 billion |
| VIC/NSW storms | 2021 | 80,000+ | $2+ billion |
| SE QLD hail | 2025 | 50,000+ | $1.5+ billion |
| Various | 2026 | Ongoing | Increasing frequency and severity |
After a Hail/Storm Event — Immediate Steps
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check for safety — glass, sharp edges, water damage |
| 2 | Document the damage — photos and videos of EVERY panel, windscreen, interior |
| 3 | Cover broken windows — if possible, use plastic/tarps to prevent further damage |
| 4 | Contact your insurer — claim within 24–48 hours if possible |
| 5 | Don't drive if unsafe — broken windscreen or water damage may make it unroadworthy |
| 6 | Remove personal items — especially electronics that could be water-damaged |
| 7 | Book assessment — your insurer will arrange an assessor or direct you to a repair centre |
The Hail Claim Bottleneck
After a widespread hail event, insurers face a massive surge in claims:
| Challenge | Typical Situation |
|---|---|
| Assessment queue | 2–6 weeks to be assessed (hundreds of cars per day) |
| Repair queue | 2–4 months for hail dent removal (limited PDR technicians) |
| Parts availability | Windscreens, panels, and trim may be on backorder |
| Hire car exhaustion | Rental companies run out of cars within days |
| Claim centres | Insurers set up temporary "hail claim centres" in affected areas |
| Temporary fixes | Some insurers offer cash settlements for cosmetic hail damage — repair it later yourself |
💡 Cash settlement option: For cosmetic hail damage (driveable), many insurers offer a cash payout instead of mandatory repairs. You keep the money and can decide whether to fix it later.
Hail Damage and Write-Offs
| Hail Damage Severity | Write-Off? |
|---|---|
| Light hail (few dents) | ❌ Repairable |
| Moderate (dents on all panels) | ⚠️ May be written off if repair costs exceed 70% of car's value |
| Severe (dents + broken glass + dented roof) | ✅ Commonly written off for older/lower-value cars |
| Extreme (structural damage from large hail) | ✅ Written off — possibly statutory write-off |
💡 Older cars: A 10+ year old car with $7,000 of hail damage on a car worth $8,000 will likely be written off.
Flood-Damaged Cars — Special Case
| Flood Severity | Damage Level | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Water up to floor level | Minor — carpet/interior water damage | Repairable (dry, clean, replace carpet) |
| Water up to dashboard | Moderate — electrical damage likely | Often written off — electrical issues persist |
| Water over roof | Severe — total loss | Statutory write-off in most cases |
⚠️ Warning: Flood-damaged cars are often sold interstate with cleaned titles. Always run a PPSR check before buying a used car that may have come from a flood area.
Key Takeaway
- Comprehensive insurance covers hail, storm, flood, and cyclone damage.
- Third party policies do NOT cover weather damage to your car.
- After a major hail event, repair wait times can be 2–4 months.
- Many cars are written off for hail damage — especially older or lower-value vehicles.
- You may be offered a cash settlement for cosmetic hail damage — you decide whether to repair.
- Flood-damaged cars are often written off — be cautious when buying used cars from flood-affected areas.
- If you live in a storm-prone area (QLD, NSW, NT), comprehensive cover is strongly recommended.
- Document all damage immediately after a storm — photo and video evidence is crucial.
Last updated: July 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about hail and storm damage car insurance claims in Australia. Policy terms, excess waivers, and settlement options vary by insurer. Always check your PDS and contact your insurer after a weather event.