Filing Your Texas Hail Claim: Step-by-Step Without the Mistakes

Filing a hail claim in Texas is not complicated — but a couple of small missteps in the first hour can cost thousands by the end. Run this checklist instead.

1. Confirm comp before anything else

Open your declarations page and look for 'Comprehensive' or 'Other Than Collision.' That line is the only one that pays hail. Liability-only policies will not.

2. Get the shop inspection first — not the carrier call

Bring the vehicle to a trusted local shop before you dial your insurer. We map every dent so you know what the claim should actually be worth before the adjuster sets the number.

3. Open the claim — keep it simple

Tell them exactly: 'I have hail damage from the [date] storm and I'd like to file a comprehensive claim.' Do not estimate cost on the phone. Do not accept a cash settlement on the spot.

4. Pick your shop — Texas law backs you

Texas Insurance Code §1952.301 protects your shop choice. 'Preferred,' 'direct repair,' and 'in-network' are all optional categories — never required.

5. Let the shop run the supplement

First-pass adjuster estimates miss damage almost every time. We file the supplement, get the additional dollars approved, and only start cutting parts off your vehicle once the full repair is funded — at no cost to you.

Mistakes that cost real money

• Cashing the carrier check before any shop has seen the vehicle
• Letting parking-lot storm chasers handle the claim
• Sitting on the claim past the Texas filing window (~12 months)
• Repainting a panel where PDR would have kept the factory finish