Storm or hail damage

Hailstones can cause significant damage to motor vehicles. Zurich supports you in these cases, quickly and simply. During the online claims notification process, you can make an appointment with one of our local Hail Help Points, which Zurich sets up after major hailstorms.

Zurich organizes so-called Hail Help Points in areas that are severely affected by hail. This allows us to offer rapid and convenient assistance to anyone affected. People who are closer to a permanent Zurich Help Point can have their damage inspected there. Appointments can be made during the online claim notification process. The Help Point Finder provides you with an overview of all Help Points.

At a Hail Help Point you can get an expert opinion on your vehicle, have the claim amount paid out or have your car repaired immediately on the spot. Upon request, Zurich can organize repairs using cutting-edge methods and the highest quality – lifetime repair guarantee included. Thanks to a free replacement car, you remain mobile at all times.

Clumps of ice with a diameter of 0.5 cm or more are considered hailstones, whilst anything smaller than that is known as sleet. They develop in summer storm clouds when supercooled water freezes into ice and is then enlarged layer by layer by upwinds within the cloud. Hailstones with a diameter of more than 2 cm. cause damage to cars, glass panes or tents. 

What makes hail so hazardous? Small ice balls only have a speed of around 35 km/h, but larger balls with a diameter of 2 cm or more can hit plants, roofs or vehicles at 70 km/h. That's why even a short hailstorm can turn car bodies into corrugated iron, shred a new rattan lounge set or destroy the apple harvest.

It is in the interest of all parties involved if the damage is reported as quickly as possible, as stated in the General Conditions of Insurance. If the damage is not reported until a few days after it occurs, the information provided by the insured person is generally less accurate, which could lead to discussions. So always report hail damage as soon as possible so that we can provide you with optimum support during the process or when repairing the damage.

Customers need have no fear of reporting too early: It is not a problem if a reported loss event later turns out to be trivial. The case is then simply closed again without any negative consequences.

Hail damage to a car
In the case of a car, the costs for hail damage repairs are covered by partial casco insurance. Thanks to modern press/pull technology, small dents in the bodywork can usually be "massaged out" within one or two days without damaging the paintwork.

Hail damage to household contents
If household contents are damaged by hail, Zurich will pay for the covered damage. For example, if garden furniture, a barbecue and a parasol are on the patio and are hit by hail. 

Hail damage in the garden
The supplementary "accidental damage to cultivated areas" insurance covers hail damage to the garden, for example to planting, garden gates or free-standing parabolic reflectors. 

Hail damage to buildings
Hail is one of the natural hazards that must be insured in many cantons through the cantonal insurance company. In the Principality of Liechtenstein and in the so-called GUSTAVO cantons, building fire / natural hazard insurance is taken out with private companies such as Zurich. These are the cantons of Geneva, Uri, Schwyz, Ticino, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Valais and Obwalden. Hail damage to residential buildings, such as damage to the facade, shutters or roof, is therefore covered by private insurance in these cantons. 

Zurich is here for you if hail has dented your car roof or smashed your lounge set: Simply report your claim using our online claims notification or by phone on 0800 80 80 80 and get help to repair your damage quickly. You can also drop by a Zurich Help Point with your car – we will organize the repair for you and ensure you stay mobile, as we have been doing for over 20 years. And in the event of major hailstorms, Zurich even organizes a hail drive-in in your region. 

With the Natural Hazards Radar you can check the natural hazard risk for your property – whether it's a rental apartment, your own home or a business. It now also includes earthquakes, surface runoff, hail, storms and mudflows. Try it out: You only need to enter your address, and you will learn in a few clicks whether your location is at risk and how you can protect it. Furthermore, we recommend that you check the insurance coverage for the building, your household contents insurance and your company insurance coverage at regular intervals.