Protecting Your Property: Tips and Information on Insurance Coverage for Hailstorms

Warnings for thunderstorms and hail are increasing due to high heat, even at the end of summer. These bad weather conditions can cause a lot of damage: flooding, windshields, bodywork, roofing, etc. Here are some tips to ensure that your property is protected.

Car insurance in the event of hailstorms

Compensation for damage caused by hailstorms will depend on the car insurance contract you have taken out. Comprehensive insurance allows you to be compensated in the event of damage caused by hail.

If the bodywork is dented, it is the “all accident damage” guarantee included in all-risk insurance which will compensate the amount of the repairs.

A deductible, the amount of which will be indicated in the contract, will however be requested. Certain contracts, called “tier +” or “tier maxi” include this guarantee; This should therefore be checked with your insurer.

The case of simple or third-party liability

In the case of a “Civil Liability” or “Simple Third Party” contract, you are only insured for the damage you cause, not for that which was caused to you. For example, expenses associated with removing bodywork or replacing windows will therefore be at everyone’s expense.

However, it is possible to obtain compensation depending on the options taken out, such as the glass breakage guarantee or the “climatic event” guarantee. It can also be found under other names: “énatural events”, “forces of nature”, “tstorm and hail”…

Not the same warranty for all parts of the car

The same guarantees do not come into play depending on the parts of the car affected by hail. If the windows or the windshield is damaged, the glass breakage guarantee (optional under civil liability guarantee) will come into play.

If the bodywork is dented, it is therefore the “all accident damage” guarantee, included in all-risk insurance, which will be requested and will allow you to be compensated for the amount of the repairs. Please note: reporting a hail-related claim does not result in any penalty on the contract.

Natural disasters

If a state of natural disaster is declared, via the publication of an interministerial decree, following an episode of hail, the car will be covered by the natural disaster guarantee. As for the “storm” guarantee, it generally covers all damage suffered by your car after a hurricane or hail. You must notify your insurer by registered mail within 5 days of the loss.

Home insurance guarantees

Home insurance allows you to be compensated in the event of a disaster inherent to your home. In the event of flooding, it is the insurance’s “natural disaster guarantee” that intervenes. It is included in comprehensive home insurance but it only works with official recognition of the state of natural disaster by the public authorities.

However, comprehensive home insurance still covers property damage caused by flooding. Under the hail guarantee integrated into the comprehensive home insurance, the insurer covers the necessary repairs to the roof (torn or damaged tiles), including its temporary coverage.

It also covers the repair or replacement of items of furniture damaged due to leaks noted in the roof, for example, if rainwater has entered the home.