Hail damage to the car: which insurance pays?
Created: 06/29/2022, 14:56
By: Marcus Efler
Shattered windows and dents in the bodywork are typical hail damage.
© Bernd March/Imago
A severe hailstorm can change the design of a car forever.
The damage is usually insured.
It is important to note that.
They belong to summer like open convertibles and popsicles:
violent thunderstorms
that end hot summer days cool and wet.
They are often accompanied by hailstorms.
It is not uncommon for the icy grains to reach the size of golf balls - and sometimes even tennis balls.
For a car that is not currently parked in the garage and weathers the attack from the air (taking these rules of conduct into account) or on the side of the road, this often means:
total loss
.
Hail damage to the car: which insurance pays?
If you could still replace smashed windows, repairing the dented bodywork is usually next to impossible.
This usually leads to an economic loss in the five-digit range.
The good news: Those who have comprehensive insurance for their car usually get compensation for the damage in a
fairly unbureaucratic manner
.
However, he should report it to the insurance company as soon as possible.
The even better news: It doesn't even have to be a luxurious fully comprehensive insurance.
Because the
partially comprehensive insurance
not only pays for theft or stone chipping in the glass, but also for hailstorms.
As a rule, she transfers the current value of the vehicle, which an expert has determined.
Severe storms are usually also known to the claims officers, so that drivers do not have to laboriously obtain the weather report for the day in question.
What do these traffic signs mean?
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Hail damage to the car: do not scrap it immediately
What you should not do in a hurry: drive the car to the scrap press immediately in frustration.
At least until the insurance company has settled the damage, the car should remain within reach of a possible inspection by an expert.
During this time, it can definitely make sense to look for a buyer – also abroad: It
is known in the USA
in particular that there are motorists and collectors who will give a lot for a car with a special dent design.
Of course you can also simply take the money from the insurance company and continue driving with the cold-formed body.
In both cases, however, it must be agreed that the
car remains with the owner
and does not become the property of the insurance company.
(me)
