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Chances are if you ever need to make a claim for hail damage to your car, then lots of other people are doing the same thing at the same time. Is it really worth the hassle? To speed up your application and get a positive outcome sooner here’s what you need to know.
When NOT to claim against hail damage
Multiple claims being lodged with an insurance company at the same time can slow up claims proceedings, as well as reduce the availability of recommended repairers. Is the damage bad enough to warrant a claim? If not, you may be wasting everyone’s time.
If the damage is minimal then, unfortunately, it may be cheaper for you to pay for the repair yourself. Sometimes the excess that has to be paid when you make a claim is much more than the cost of repair. Additionally, making a claim can also affect the future price of a premium. In these circumstances, the cost of repair must always be weighed against the cost of excess and higher premiums.
When to claim for hail damage
As long as your comprehensive car insurance covers hail damage, then you can claim any time after the event. According the Bureau of Meteorology, the April 1999 hailstorm in Sydney that left houses and cars dented for some time, saw a record insurance loss of over $1.7 billion dollars. A total of 63,000 cars were damaged and because the hail stones were up to 13cm in diameter some of the property damage was incredibly severe.
For events such as hailstorms, which effect many people at the one time, it is wise to get in as early as possible with a claim but expect to wait. It is especially important, if the damage is excessive, to take photographs of the property and vehicle. It’s helpful to have “before” pictures to show as well. (A great excuse to get snap happy and take some good pics of your home and car! And don’t forget the carport or garage).
How to prevent hail damage
Some hailstorms can hit very suddenly, so for people out driving, there is very little that can be done to prevent hail damage, aside from finding a covered area to park as soon as possible. Once parked, of you have a thick wool or cotton blanket to cover your car with this can also help absorb the impact of the hail.
At home, there is little to be done to protect your residence. You will just have to wait for the storm to ease. Obviously, keeping your car parked under cover in the garage or carport will reduce damage to your vehicle when parked at home. If you live in an area that is frequently hit by storms you may want to plan ahead and consider having one built, which may also reduce your insurance premiums. If this is not an option, purchasing a proper padded car cover that can provide at least some protection from hail may help. In some cases, having adequate protection for your vehicle can reduce the premium on your comprehensive car insurance, as the car is not only protects against hail, but parking under cover can also help prevent rust and sun damage.
Insurance fine print – policy disclosure
As the effects of global warming increase and weather conditions become more unpredictable, it is important to check all of the fine print of your insurance policy by referring to the Policy Disclosure Booklet and the fine print relating to storm damage. You may be shocked to discover you are not covered for everything you thought.
Also, to save yourself some money, consider asking your insurance provider what you can do to get lower premiums. Taking the recommended actions the insurance company suggests can also help to speed up your claim should you ever need to make one. This can be particularly useful if you are with one of the biggest insurance providers such as NRMA, GIO, AMP or Allianz as many hundreds, possibly thousands, of people will be lodging their hail damage claims at the same time as you.
