The occurrence of hail storms was up 15% in 2022, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, and South Dakota recording the largest number of hail events. [1]
Unsurprisingly, hail damage is one of the leading causes of property loss in the U.S. In 2019, wind and hail damage made up 34.3% of property damage claims nationwide. [2]
Homeowners insurance covers hail damage, but depending on the state where you live, you may be required to pay a separate wind and hail deductible when you file a claim. No matter the specifics of your policy, home insurance is vital financial protection against damage from hail.
Here’s a breakdown of hail damage and property loss across the country.
Hail and property damage by the numbers
$3.5 billion: The amount State Farm paid out for hail damage property claims in 2022, according to a March 2023 analysis [3]
$1.2 billion: The estimated amount of property loss to homes, businesses, and vehicles after a series of Texas hail storms in April 2021, according to the NOAA [4]
6.2 million: The estimated amount of U.S. properties that were affected by one or more hail events in 2020 [5]
192,988: The number of hail loss claims in Texas in 2019 [6]
4,436: The total amount of major hail events recorded by the NOAA in 2022 [7]
1% to 10%: Percentage of your dwelling coverage limit that your wind and hail deductible is based on
1 pound, 15 ounces: The weight of the largest hailstone in U.S. history, which fell in Vivian, South Dakota, in 2010 [8]
Top 10 states for hail loss claims
Below is a list of the 10 states that had the most hail loss claims in 2019, according to the Insurance Information Institute. [9]
What to know about wind and hail claims
In states that experience frequent hailstorms — like the ones listed above — you’ll likely be required to pay a separate deductible for wind and hail loss. Wind and hail deductibles are usually more expensive than your standard deductible. You typically have the option of setting your wind and hail deductible at 1% to 10% of your dwelling coverage limit.
Let's take a look at an example.
Say you have a home insurance policy with a dwelling coverage limit of $250,000 and your wind and hail deductible is 5%. You’ll have to pay $12,500 out of pocket before your insurer kicks in to cover the rest of repairs.
