How much damage can hail cause?
Just as it can damage houses, hail can damage your car. Hailstones form in various sizes, ranging from pea-sized pellets to baseball-sized chunks. Smaller pebbles falling at high speeds can leave behind cosmetic damage, but larger hailstones can have more catastrophic outcomes.
Hailstorms can typically last anywhere from a few seconds to 20 minutes or more.2 Hail-induced damage also varies in severity. It may consist of:
- Scratched paint
- Caved-in roofs and dents on the vehicle’s body
- Cracked windshields and windows
- Dislodged side mirrors
Certain provinces are no strangers to violent hail events. Alberta, for example, experiences at least one major hailstorm every year — a pattern that’s held steady for over two decades.3 The province’s most recent catastrophe was the 2024 Calgary hailstorm. With nearly $2.8 billion in insured losses, it became the second-costliest event in Canada’s history.4
Other regions, including parts of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and the Prairies, also experience hail, though typically not as intensely.
If you live in a hail-prone area, it’s always wise to be ready if the worst should happen. So, what can you do to keep your car safe?
Six ways you can prevent hail damage
1. Park in a covered space
The best way to keep your car out of harm’s way is to park it somewhere it can’t be hit. If your house has an enclosed garage, park it inside. Sheds and built-in carports can work, too, though this might require some investment to set up. And if possible, make sure the shelter provides enough surrounding coverage in case strong winds send hail flying sideways.
If hail starts falling while you’re out, look for an underground or enclosed parkade (like that of a shopping centre) and wait out the storm if possible. Don’t seek shelter under a tree — cars being struck by downed trees isn’t entirely unheard of during hail season.5
2. Use a weather-rated car cover
While not as protective as a garage, a car cover can reduce the impact of falling hailstones if you must park outside. Hundreds of vendors and cover styles are available online, so you’ll have no shortage of options. The best protectors are thick, multi-layered covers with built-in foam padding. Make sure the cover has a soft, non-abrasive inner lining, so the cover itself doesn’t cause scratches in the paint.
Most hail-resistant covers cost under $200. In contrast, the cost of hail-related bodywork repairs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
3. Avoid driving (…unless it’s an absolute must)
In extreme hailstorms (particularly wind-driven storms), it’s best to keep your car indoors until the storm passes. Not only will you protect your car from cracks and dents, but you’ll also avoid a host of other hazards, like reduced visibility, unexpected traffic jams, or the risk of hydroplaning if conditions are slippery.
If you absolutely must drive, proceed with caution. Make sure there aren’t visible signs of medium-to-large hail or wind-driven hail, as these can be the most destructive. If you’re not confident driving through such adverse conditions, it’s best to let someone more experienced take the wheel. Otherwise, slow down, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and stay alert for any changes in road conditions.
4. DIY measures
If you’re scrambling for a last-minute fix and improvisation is all you have, there are still a few ways to shield your car from hail. You could layer on thick blankets or sleeping bags — basically anything padded that can cushion the impact. The more layers you can stack, the better.
5. Turn on weather alerts
Checking the weather ahead of time may provide you some idea of the hail’s intensity. Nowadays, most devices have built-in weather apps that allow you to receive severe weather alerts, which you can customize based on your location. You can also download WeatherCAN to receive forecast information directly from Canada’s official weather source.
Hailstorms in Canada are most common from late spring through the end of summer, so plan wisely.6
6. Ensure you have the right insurance coverage
If you live in areas where hailstorms are common, having the right insurance can save you a lot of stress when the unexpected occurs.
Unlike home insurance, hail coverage is not included on car insurance policies by default. You’ll need to purchase it through all-perils coverage or comprehensive coverage, which are typically optional. Some insurers will also cover hail under specified perils policies.
If your policy includes hail as a covered peril, the insurer will cover the cost of repairing the damage, up to your car’s actual cash value (ACV).
Many drivers choose to save on car insurance by opting out of the optional coverages. This might be reasonable for some old, high-mileage cars, where the ACV is so low that any significant damage could lead to the vehicle being totalled. Plus, if your selected deductible (the portion of the loss you’re responsible for paying) were greater than the cost of repairs, a claim wouldn’t help much anyway.
In contrast, new cars are much more expensive to repair or replace. A fierce hailstorm can leave a patchwork of dents and cracks across your car’s body, in which case the value of a claim settlement will most likely outweigh any premium savings. This is assuming, of course, your policy protects against hail in the first place.
