When severe thunderstorms are in the forecast, hail may not be the first thing on your mind. If you own a home or have a vehicle, the risk of hail damage should be a consideration while you prepare for severe weather.
Find out how you can protect yourself, your family and your property when hail starts to fall. Learn some tips for collecting details should you need to file a claim. Plus, stick around for some frequently asked questions and fun facts about hail and hailstorms.
Hailstorm prep to safeguard your property
If time is on your side, there are a few things you can do to protect your home, vehicles and other property before a thunderstorm with a risk of hail.
Auto hailstorm safety tips
- Park in a garage, covered car port or parking garage
- Install a hail protection blanket over your vehicle
- Avoid parking under trees
Grange Enterprise Vice President of Property Claims and Claims’ Special Investigations Unit Chris Karacalidis says, “One of the best ways to avoid vehicle hail damage is to invest in a hail blanket. They’re very cost effective and pretty easy to install and they can save your car from substantial cosmetic dents.”
Home hailstorm safety tips
- Cover windows with shutters or well covers
- Prune tree branches near your home
- Bring outdoor furniture and umbrellas inside
- Store outdoor entertainment like grills, sprinklers and toys inside
Bonus tip! Grange Enterprise Personal Lines Vice President of National Product and Experience Development Kim Bowser says, “Protective covers aren’t just for cars, patio furniture and grills. Consider getting a temporary cover to protect your garden beds and landscaping during a hailstorm.”
Learn about our
Home Insurance
Protect yourself and others during a hailstorm
Of course, the easiest way to stay safe starts with staying indoors during the storm. Because large pieces of hail can shatter windows—close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent the wind from blowing broken glass inside. Be sure to stay away from skylights and glass doors as well. If you have a designated bathroom, walk-in pantry, basement or other interior space to gather your family during a tornado warning, it’s also a safe place to gather during a hailstorm. Lastly, listen to the radio for updates on additional approaching storms.
Assess any damage and report your claim
After the storm ends, assess any damage to your home and vehicles. Here are a few steps you can take to document any home or auto damage thoroughly:
Step 1: Take clear pictures and videos
Take your time to capture detailed pictures and video of the damage. Be sure to document every spot thoroughly to ensure every area is accounted for.
For example, if your car has hail damage on the windshield, roof of the car and windows, don’t only take one picture of the vehicle from a single point of view. For the best results, we recommend taking a clear video of the whole car exterior to show different lighting and angles of the damage. Individual photos of each area impacted are also very helpful.
Step 2: Review your home or auto insurance policy
If you’ve never filed a hail damage claim before, you may have questions. Get familiar with your insurance policy again to find your coverage and deductible details. You will also need your policy number to file a claim.
Step 3: Contact your independent insurance agent
Your agent can help you start the claim process or answer any questions you may have.
Step 4: File a claim
Report a home or auto claim once you’ve gathered your policy details, pictures and videos from the hailstorm damage. If you’re a Grange customer, use the Report and Track a Claim webpage to start your claim.
Frequently asked questions about hail
What is hail?
Hail is a product of thunderstorms. It forms when raindrops are carried in updrafts “into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere” where they freeze, according to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL). When it gets heavy enough, it falls through the updrafts and atmosphere.
Why are there so many variations of hail?
As hail, also known as hailstones, falls to the earth’s surface, several factors can impact the shape, size and speed. The NSSL states that hailstones “need liquid water to grow to an appreciable size.” As hail is swept through different temperatures, the layers can appear clear, cloudy or a mixture of the two. As it falls to the ground, hail speed is dependent on size and severity of the thunderstorm. However, vertical wind tunnels can also carry the hail at a slower speed. In a way, hail is like a thunderstorm souvenir.
Where does hail typically fall?
The most common places hail occurs in the United States are Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. Hail is also common across pockets of west Texas, northwest and northeast Missouri, western South Dakota and parts of the Rocky Mountains. This region is known as Hail Alley.
Hail Alley isn’t the only place to be worried about hail. In an article from Scientific American in 2023, Stephanie Pappas writes, “It’s easy to assume less ice would be falling from the sky in a warming world, but the connection isn’t quite that simple. Experts say some areas will likely see an increase in hailstorms, along with more potentially damaging hail, even as the global surface warms.”
References
NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory
Geography Realm
Scientific American
Coverages described herein may not be available in all states. Please contact a local independent Grange agent for complete details on coverages and discounts. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. The material provided above is for informational, educational, or suggestion purposes and does not imply coverage. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE HEREIN ADVERTISED. Grange Insurance policies are underwritten by Grange Insurance Company, Trustgard Insurance Company, Grange Indemnity Insurance Company, Grange Insurance Company of Michigan and Grange Property & Casualty Insurance Company*. Not all companies are licensed in all states. *Not licensed in Pennsylvania.