Islamabad, 18 Apr 2025: Climate change has become an undeniable reality, with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
A prime example occurred recently in Islamabad, where an unexpected hailstorm wreaked havoc on vehicles.
This sudden storm left many cars severely damaged, with shattered windshields, cracked rear screens, and scratched paintwork.
These unforeseen weather events raise a critical question for vehicle owners: Are such damages from natural calamities covered by car insurance?
Extent of Loss
Extent of loss for the damaged vehicles is around Rs 5-7 million. Mostly the damage is on the wind screens or side screen only. Some of the parts like front side are also damaged but huge damage is only to the wind screens or side screens. The wind screens and side screens are short in the market due to this damage.
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Windscreen Prices Surge in Islamabad and Rawalpindi After Massive Hailstorm Damage
Understanding Comprehensive Car Insurance Coverage
The simple answer is yes damages caused by natural disasters like hailstorms are covered by car insurance, but only under Comprehensive Car Insurance policies.
Unlike third-party insurance, which only covers liabilities caused by your vehicle to others, Comprehensive Car Insurance offers extensive protection against various unforeseen events. This includes:
- Natural Disasters (Acts of God): Damage from hailstorms, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and severe storms.
- Accidental Damages: External accidents or collisions not caused by the driver’s negligence.
- Fire or Explosion Damage: Whether from external sources, self-ignition, or lightning strikes.
- Malicious Acts: Damages from vandalism, riots, or strikes.
These policies are designed to safeguard vehicle owners against unexpected events, ensuring that your car is covered from a range of potential damages, including the destruction caused by a hailstorm.
How Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Protect Your Vehicle?
If your car is damaged by a natural disaster, such as a hailstorm, Comprehensive Car Insurance ensures that you are financially protected.
Whether your car is caught in a flood, or its body is dented by hailstones, this insurance will cover the repair costs. It’s crucial to know that without this comprehensive coverage, you may face significant out-of-pocket expenses.
However, the extent of coverage varies depending on the insurance provider. Therefore, it is essential to carefully choose a reliable insurance company to ensure timely claims approval and efficient service when the need arises.
Choosing the Right Insurance Provider
When selecting an insurance provider, look for the following:
- Customer Satisfaction: Choose companies with a strong reputation for handling claims swiftly and without hassle.
- Claim Settlement Ratio: Opt for insurers that boast a high percentage of claims approved.
- Clear Terms and Conditions: Ensure the insurance policy includes transparent terms without hidden charges.
- Ease of Access: A user-friendly platform for managing claims, especially during emergencies.
By doing your research, you can avoid delays and unnecessary complications when making a claim, particularly during tough times following events like hailstorm damages.
Key Terms and Conditions for Car Insurance Claims
Even though Comprehensive Car Insurance covers damages from hailstorms and other natural disasters, it’s important to remember the following conditions:
- Policy Validity: Your policy must be active at the time of damage.
- Depreciation: The insurance payout may be affected by the depreciation value of your vehicle.
- Pre-existing Damage: Damage that occurred before the policy was activated or the claim was made is generally not covered.
- Proof of Damage: Always document the damage through photographs, videos, or other forms of evidence. This documentation will be necessary for filing your claim.
READ MORE:
5 Major Car Brands Announce Repair Discounts for Hailstorm-Damaged Vehicles
Conclusion
If your vehicle has been affected by a recent hailstorm or any other natural calamity, Comprehensive Car Insurance ensures that you can recover the repair costs with minimal hassle.
The coverage extends to a wide range of unforeseen events, offering peace of mind to vehicle owners.
To ensure that you have the best protection, consider consulting a trusted platform like PakWheels, where you can access information on comprehensive insurance policies provided by reputable companies in Pakistan.
Keep your vehicle protected with the right insurance, and don’t let hailstorm damages catch you off guard.
