April 2, 2025 · 5 min read
Texas Auto Insurance and Hail: What Is Actually Covered
A plain-English breakdown of how Texas comprehensive coverage handles hail, your statute-protected right to your own shop, and what claims do to your rate.
Out here on the South Plains, weather damage is not a question of if — it is a question of which spring. Before the next cell rolls through Lubbock or Levelland, here is exactly where your policy stands.
Liability won't help you — comp will
If your policy is liability-only, hail is on you. The line item that pays for hail is comprehensive coverage (sometimes printed as 'Other Than Collision' on your dec page). No comp, no carrier check.
You pick the shop — that is state law
Texas Insurance Code §1952.301 specifically protects your right to choose any licensed repair facility. A 'preferred' or 'direct repair' suggestion from your carrier is just that — a suggestion, never a requirement.
Will my premium go up?
Hail is filed comprehensive, which is a no-fault category. Most major carriers in Texas do not raise rates on a single comp claim, but every policy is different — call your agent if you want it in writing before filing.