Will Hail Damage Total My Car?

What "totaled" means

An insurer declares a vehicle a total loss when the cost to repair it passes a set percentage of the vehicle's value. Hail can total a car when the damage is severe and the car's value is on the lower side, because even cosmetic hail repair can add up.

Hail usually does not total a car

For most vehicles, hail damage is cosmetic and very repairable, especially with paintless dent repair, which costs far less than conventional body work. PDR often keeps a repair well under the total-loss line that traditional repair would cross.

When it is a closer call

Older or lower-value vehicles with heavy hail, or cars with cracked glass and creased panels, are more likely to be totaled. A proper inspection and estimate tell you where you stand.

Your options

If the car is totaled you can usually take the payout, or in some cases keep the car along with the repair. A free inspection and an honest estimate help you decide, and a PDR-focused shop can sometimes save a car an insurer would otherwise total.

Total-loss thresholds vary by state and insurer. Confirm the details with your insurer.