Two of the most misunderstood types of vehicle damage I deal with regularly in auto insurance are hail damage and animal-related accidents, especially in states like Texas, where weather and wildlife often play a major role in driving risks.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Does auto insurance cover hail or animal damage?” The short answer is yes, but only if you have the right type of coverage.
In this article, I’ll explain exactly how it works, share a real-life Texas case, and compare what happens in other states like Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska.
Understanding the Coverage You Need
Hail and animal damage fall under comprehensive insurance, not basic liability coverage.
- Hail damage: This includes dents, cracked windshields, or even totaled vehicles after severe storms. Texas, particularly in hail-prone areas like the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, sees billions in hail-related auto damage every year.
- Animal collisions: Whether you hit a deer, stray cow, or even a wild hog, these incidents are treated as “other than collision” losses. Meaning, they’re part of comprehensive coverage, not collision coverage.
Many drivers mistakenly believe that collision coverage applies when hitting an animal. It doesn’t. Collision is for vehicle-to-vehicle impacts or stationary object accidents. For animal strikes, only comprehensive insurance steps in.
The Role of Deductibles
When filing for hail or animal damage, you’ll pay your comprehensive deductible, not your collision deductible. In Texas, the most common comprehensive deductibles range from $250 to $1,000.
For example:
If hail causes $3,500 in damage and you have a $500 comprehensive deductible, your insurer pays $3,000. For a deer strike causing $7,200 in repairs, with the same deductible, your payout would be $6,700.
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Real-Life Texas Case: The Cost of Waiting
A client of mine, Mark from Austin, learned this the hard way. He carried liability-only coverage on his pickup because he wanted to save money. In 2022, a severe hailstorm tore through Central Texas. Golf ball-sized hail shattered his windshield, dented his hood, and left the roof looking like a metal washboard. The repair estimate? $6,800.
Unfortunately, with only liability coverage, none of it was covered. If Mark had comprehensive coverage, his out-of-pocket cost would have been just his deductible.
That same year, I had another client, a rancher in West Texas, who struck a deer at night on Highway 67. His bumper, radiator, and headlights were destroyed. He had comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible, so his $5,200 repair bill was mostly covered.
The lesson? Comprehensive coverage isn’t just “optional” in Texas; it’s essential, especially in hail and wildlife-heavy regions.
Hail and Animal Damage Risks in Texas
- Texas ranks #1 in the U.S. for hail damage claims (Insurance Information Institute).
- Deer collisions in Texas cause tens of millions in vehicle repairs annually.
- In rural areas like the Hill Country or Panhandle, wild hog and deer strikes are frequent in fall and winter.
How Other States Handle Hail and Animal Damage in Auto Insurance
While Texas leads in hail damage, other states also face significant risks.
- Kansas: Known for severe thunderstorms, Kansas ranks among the top five states for hail-related auto claims. Comprehensive coverage is essential, especially during spring and early summer storm seasons.
- Colorado: Denver has been nicknamed “Hail Alley” for a reason. The cost of hail-related auto claims here is among the highest nationwide.
- Nebraska: Deer collisions peak during fall migration, and hailstorms can be severe in late spring. Rural drivers face a higher chance of animal strikes compared to urban drivers.
Although coverage requirements are similar across these states, premium rates vary depending on claim frequency, weather patterns, and local wildlife risk.
Why Some Drivers Skip Comprehensive Coverage
Some people drop comprehensive insurance to save on monthly premiums, especially when driving older vehicles. But in hail-heavy or wildlife-rich areas, that’s a gamble. The average cost to repair hail damage is $2,500 to $6,000, and animal collision repairs can easily exceed $4,000, often more than the car’s value.
What to Do After Hail or Animal Damage
From my experience, acting quickly is key:
- Document everything: Take clear photos from multiple angles.
- Contact your insurance company immediately: Early reporting often speeds up claim processing.
- Avoid temporary fixes that could complicate repairs: For example, taping a cracked windshield may cause adhesive damage.
- Get repair estimates from trusted shops: In hail-prone areas, some body shops specialize in paintless dent repair, which can save time and money.
Filing a Claim in Texas vs. Other States
In Texas, hail or animal damage claims are typically straightforward, but your deductible and coverage level determine your payout. In Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska, the claim process is similar, but some insurers may adjust deductibles seasonally in hail-prone regions to manage risk.
Reducing Your Risk
While no one can prevent hailstorms, you can minimize damage:
- Park under covered areas or in garages when storms are forecast.
- Use car covers rated for hail protection.
- Avoid driving at dusk or dawn during peak deer migration.
- Install deer whistles or LED driving lights in rural areas.
These precautions don’t eliminate risk, but they can reduce the frequency and severity of damage.
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Conclusion
If you’re in Texas or any state where weather and wildlife hazards are real, comprehensive coverage is a smart investment. It’s the only way your insurer will pay for hail dents or damage from hitting an animal.
Whether you’re dodging hailstones in Dallas or watching for deer in Nebraska, understanding your policy’s coverage and deductible can mean the difference between a small out-of-pocket cost and a financial disaster.
I’ve seen too many drivers, like Mark in Austin, regret not adding comprehensive coverage until it’s too late. Don’t wait until a storm or animal strike forces you to learn the hard way. Talk to your agent now, review your coverage, and make sure you’re protected.