Hail damage: Comprehensive or partial insurance – Who pays when?
8 Jun 2025
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A hailstorm can damage your vehicle in seconds. But which insurance covers hail damage – comprehensive or partial coverage? This article clarifies and shows you how to avoid cost traps.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Both partial and comprehensive insurance cover hail damage; the settlement is handled through the partial coverage portion without a downgrade of the no-claims bonus class.
An excess (often €150 for partial cover) is common and will be deducted from the repair costs.
Report hail damage promptly (usually within a week) and document it thoroughly with photos.
Hail damage: Understanding basic coverage by comprehensive insurance
Hail damage to a car is a classic case for comprehensive insurance. Both the partial comprehensive cover and the fully comprehensive cover cover the costs of repairs. Third-party liability insurance alone is not sufficient here, as it only covers damages you cause to others. Hail damage is considered elemental damage, which is typically covered by partial comprehensive cover. Since fully comprehensive cover includes all the services of partial cover, hail damage is also insured under it. The decision between fully comprehensive or partial cover therefore does not primarily depend on hail protection but on other factors such as the age of the vehicle and the desired overall protection. The good news: A downgrade in the no-claims class does not generally occur in the case of pure hail damage, as it is a partial cover claim.
Clarify the scope of partial comprehensive coverage for hail damage
Comprehensive insurance is the primary point of contact for hail damage. It covers damage that you did not cause yourself, such as storms, hail, theft, or glass breakage. In the event of hail damage, comprehensive insurance covers the cost of repairing dents in the bodywork, paint damage, and also broken glass. If an excess has been agreed in the contract, you will bear this portion of the costs yourself, which is usually around 150 euros. The insurance covers repair costs beyond that. It is important to report the damage to the insurance company immediately, usually within a week. A distinction between comprehensive and fully comprehensive insurance is only relevant here in that fully comprehensive also includes this protection.
Define the role of fully comprehensive insurance and distinguish it from partial coverage in the case of hail
The comprehensive insurance includes all the benefits of the partial coverage and thus also offers protection against hail damage. The key advantage of the comprehensive insurance is the coverage of accident damages caused by your own fault and vandalism. However, in the event of a hailstorm, the partial coverage portion of the comprehensive insurance applies. This means that usually the agreed deductible for partial cover damages (e.g. 150 euros) and not the often higher deductible for comprehensive damages (e.g. 300 euros) is applicable here. A downgrading of the no-claims discount does not occur in the case of a hailstorm, even for those comprehensively insured. The question "Hail damage: comprehensive or partial coverage" is therefore less critical for mere hail damage, as both provide coverage.
Optimising Claim Reporting and Processing for Hail
After hail damage, it is important to act swiftly. Notify your insurance company of the damage immediately, ideally within a week. Many insurers require prompt notification to establish a link with the storm. Document the damage carefully with photos from different angles and close-ups of the dents. Note the date, time, and location of the hailstorm. The insurance company usually appoints an assessor to evaluate the damage. For leased vehicles, also inform your leasing company. The following steps are important when reporting damage:
Immediate contact with the insurance company (often possible online or by phone).
Have your insurance policy number ready.
Provide precise details of the location and time of the damage.
Submit photos of the damage.
Arrange an appointment for the assessor to inspect the damage.
Good preparation significantly speeds up the processing of hail damage.
Calculate costs and deductibles for hail damage
The costs for repairing hail damage can be significant and depend on the number and size of the dents as well as the affected vehicle parts. The comprehensive insurance (and therefore also the fully comprehensive cover) pays these costs minus any agreed excess. This excess for partial comprehensive damage is often 150 euros. Check your insurance contract carefully for the amount of the agreed excess for partial comprehensive damage. It is also possible to have the damage paid out fictitiously, i.e., without repair. In this case, however, VAT is deducted from the determined damage value. In the event of a total loss, when the repair costs exceed the replacement value, the insurance reimburses the difference between the replacement value and the salvage value of the vehicle. The question of whether fully comprehensive insurance is still worthwhile should be evaluated independently of the risk of hail damage.
Expert Tips: Considering Legal Aspects and Recent Judgments
In insurance law, there are some nuances to be aware of. Our expert tip: Have any previous damage that hasn't been repaired clearly documented before a new hail damage occurs. According to a ruling by the Munich District Court (Case No. 271 C 10 327/10), the policyholder must prove which dents are new in a second damage claim if the first damage was only settled on a hypothetical basis. [2] If a clear distinction is not possible, it can be to the detriment of the insured. [2] The deadline for reporting damage is also relevant; it is usually one week to ensure the temporal connection to the weather event. [4,4] Ensure comprehensive documentation and adhere to reporting deadlines to avoid reductions in benefits. While knowledge about self-inflicted damages is not directly relevant here, a basic understanding of the comprehensive conditions is always advantageous.
Long-term perspective: Examine the increase in hail damage and preventive measures
Statistics show an increase in hail damage to vehicles in recent decades. [2] The summer storms 'Lambert' and 'Kay' in June 2023 alone caused insured vehicle damages amounting to approximately 350 million euros in Germany. [3] The southern federal states are often particularly affected. [3] Even though hail cannot always be avoided, there are some preventive considerations. These include:
Checking the local hail risk (some insurers offer risk maps).
Using garages or carports if available.
Paying attention to storm warnings and, if necessary, arranging for the vehicle to be parked in a shelter in time.
Using hail protection mats or covers when unavoidable parking outdoors during an announced storm.
Although marten damage has a different cause, the importance of a good comprehensive insurance for unforeseen events is also evident here. Choosing the right insurance is crucial.
Conclusion and recommended actions: Ensure the optimal protection for your vehicle
More useful links
The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) offers a data service on natural hazard reports, specifically for property insurance related to storms and hail.
The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) provides data on damage to residential buildings caused by storms and hail.
The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) offers an overview of climate-related natural hazards.
The Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) explains the different vehicle classification groups.
The Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) informs about the phenomenon of hail.
The Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) provides current severe weather warnings for hail.
The Umweltbundesamt (UBA) offers information on extreme weather events.
The ADAC provides comprehensive information on hail damage to cars and car insurance.
FAQ
What is the difference between comprehensive insurance and third-party, fire and theft insurance in the event of hail damage?
When it comes to hail damage, there is hardly any difference in pure claims settlement. Both types of insurance cover hail damage, as comprehensive insurance includes the benefits of third-party, fire, and theft insurance. Processing is carried out via the third-party, fire, and theft insurance contract portion, including the agreed excess there and without any downgrade.
Does the insurance cover the full costs of hail damage repair?
The insurance covers the repair costs minus your contractually agreed excess for partial cover. In the event of a total economic loss, the replacement value minus the residual value will be reimbursed.
Do I need to have hail damage repaired?
No, you can also have the damage paid out fictitiously. The insurance will then reimburse the repair amount determined by the expert, minus the VAT and your excess. [3]
What happens if I haven't repaired a pre-existing damage and a new hail damage occurs?
You must be able to prove which damages were newly caused by the current hailstorm. If a clear distinction cannot be made from unrepaired pre-existing damage, the insurer may reduce the compensation. [2]
Is it true that hail damage is increasing?
Yes, statistics and reports from insurers suggest that the frequency and severity of hail events and the resulting damage to vehicles have increased in recent years. [2,3]
What documents does the insurance company require to report hail damage?
As a rule, you will need your insurance number, details of the location and time of the hailstorm, as well as photos of the damage. Sometimes a cost estimate or a report is required directly, but usually the assessor is appointed by the insurance company. [5]
