Is Hail Damaged Covered by Insurance in Minnesota

With large hail predicted for this afternoon, many people are thinking ahead and making arrangements to park in a sheltered spot until the storm passes. But what if your vehicle does get damaged, or even worse, your home, what is your insurance required to cover?

The state of Minnesota has very specific laws and guidelines for both home and vehicle damage due to storms, in fact, the Minnesota Department of Commerce has an entire webpage dedicated to the subject.

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According to the information provide by the State of Minnesota, coverage from storm damage that could include hail, flood damage, and debris from wind and/or tornadoes, is included in your policy under the "Comprehensive" or "Other than Collision" portions of your policy.

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Minnesota state law tells insurance companies that they must pay "the cost of a comparable auto, adjusted for mileage, condition and options in the local marketplace of the insured". This price is generally calculated by using internet marketplaces like Auto Trader and Cars.com. The state says that if you are unhappy with the price offered by the insurance company, to request the "appraisal process".

When it comes to homeowners insurance, the Minnesota Department of Commerce issued a specific warning about wind and hail damage in 2022, they say that they are getting an increased number of complaints about limitations in insurance polices.

The Department of Commerce says they've seen a 20% increase in the number of complaints from homeowners claiming "coverage denials or unexpectedly high out-of-pocket costs after damage from wind or hailstorms".

Some insurance companies are making changes to polices that eliminates coverage for hail and wind damage if the shingles or siding isn't punctured. Or they may require a higher deductible for hail and wind damage. So they remind homeowners to double-check their polices and talk to agents or the insurer about "policy coverage, exclusions, deductibles, and options" during the next renewal process.