Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage in Canada?
Yes, if you carry comprehensive coverage. Hail is classified as a comprehensive (not-at-fault) claim in every Canadian province, so it is covered under comprehensive or all-perils policies but not under liability-only or collision-only coverage. You pay your comprehensive deductible and the insurer covers the rest.
This is the question people search the morning after a storm, usually while standing beside a dimpled hood. The short answer is above. The details below are the ones that actually affect what happens to your car and your money.
Which coverage pays
| Coverage type | Hail covered? |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive | Yes — this is the coverage hail falls under |
| All perils | Yes |
| Specified perils (incl. hail) | Yes, if hail is named in the policy |
| Collision only | No |
| Liability only | No |
Will it raise your premium?
A hail claim is not an at-fault loss, and insurers generally do not surcharge individual comprehensive claims the way they do at-fault collisions. That said, a pattern of comprehensive claims can affect renewal, and regional hail losses influence rates for everyone in an area regardless of whether you claimed.
Ask your broker about your specific policy before assuming either way. And if the repair is close to your deductible, the cleanest answer is often to pay directly and not open a claim at all.
The deductible question
You pay your comprehensive deductible — commonly $500 or $1,000 — and the insurer pays the balance. If a light hail repair comes in at $900 against a $1,000 deductible, the claim gains you nothing.
We give you the repair number before you file so you can decide with real information rather than after the fact.
And you still choose the shop
Coverage and shop choice are separate issues. Your insurer covering the claim does not give them the right to dictate where the work is done. Their recommended network is a rate arrangement; the repair decision is yours.
What this looks like on a real vehicle
Every photo is a Precision Dent Repair job from our Burlington or Hamilton shop. See the full gallery →
What customers say
"When my vehicle was recently damaged by a severe hailstorm, it ended up with a significant number of dents across the body. After contacting my insurance company, I was initially referred to a general body shop. However, since this was strictly dent-related damage, I wanted to find a shop that truly specializes in paintless dent repair. That's when I came across Precision Dent Burlington."
"I had my brand new car destroyed by hail damage back in August. The car was covered in dents in pretty much all areas — roof, hood, rails, doors, trunk, quarter panel, fenders. I researched a few places and even went to another highly reviewed shop to get an estimate. The other shop started mentioning paint and parts."
"Andreas and his team were great! Very quick and transparent! Andreas was especially helpful in dealing with my difficult insurance in the process of getting the repair approved. Despite heavy hail damage, the car looks brand new now!"
"Great experience dealing with these guys. Very friendly and accommodative and their work is very impressive. Had them repair two BMW's with hail damage and they both looked new when they were done."
"I had several dents in my Yukon Denali after a major hail storm. Thanks to the efficient service of Precision Dent Repair, my vehicle looks as good as new again. I would highly recommend this company!"
"Great experience from start to finish, they accommodated my schedule and took care of everything through insurance. Easy process and repaired a ton of damage from a hail storm. Highly recommend."
We bill every major Canadian insurer directly
You do not have to use the shop your insurer suggests. Ontario law lets you choose your repair facility — we handle the claim paperwork either way.
Five consecutive award years
Consumer Choice Award winners for paintless dent repair, plus ARC-certified technicians at both shops.
ARC-Certified Technicians
Consumer Choice Award Winner
Recognized for outstanding customer service & technical proficiency
Common questions
Is hail damage a comprehensive or collision claim?
Comprehensive. Hail is weather damage, classified alongside theft, fire, vandalism and falling objects — not as a collision.
How long do I have to file a hail claim?
Policies vary but most expect prompt notice, and practically you should file within days. Late reporting invites disputes about whether the damage came from the storm you named.
Can my insurer write off my car for hail?
Yes, if the estimated repair exceeds a set percentage of the vehicle's value. This is a strong argument for a PDR estimate rather than a refinish estimate, because refinish numbers are far higher and can push a perfectly repairable car into total-loss territory.
What if I do not have comprehensive coverage?
Then the repair is direct-pay. We will give you a straight cash price and can stage work panel by panel if you need to spread the cost.
Related pages
Two shops. Same craft.
Burlington
Burlington, ON L7L 5Z7
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Hamilton
Hamilton, ON L8W 3N7
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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