Canadians are seeing more frequent and severe hailstorms, particularly across the Prairies, but hail can cause significant damage in many parts of the country. In recent years, severe weather-related insurance losses have reached record levels, with hailstorms contributing billions of dollars in damage. A single Calgary hailstorm in 2024 caused approximately $2.8 billion in insured losses, making it one of the
costliest weather events in Canadian history.
What Kind of Damage Does Hail Cause?
Even relatively small hailstones can cause expensive damage. Common hail-related losses include:
- Dented vehicle roofs, hoods, trunks, and body panels
- Cracked or shattered windshields and windows
- Damaged siding, soffits, and eavestroughs
- Broken skylights and outdoor fixtures
- Roof damage that can lead to future leaks and water intrusion
- Damage to air conditioning units, sheds, and outdoor furniture
- Vehicle damage is particularly common.
How You Can Help Protect From Hail Damage
While no one can stop a hailstorm, a few proactive steps can reduce the risk.
Protect Your Vehicle:
- Park in a garage or covered structure whenever possible.
- Use a vehicle hail cover if severe weather is forecast.
- Sign up for weather alerts and move vehicles under cover when storms are approaching.
Protect Your Home:
- Consider impact-resistant roofing materials when replacing your roof.
- Regularly inspect and maintain shingles, flashing, and siding.
- Trim trees that could drop branches during severe storms.
- Secure or store outdoor furniture and equipment before storms arrive.
Why Repairs Can Take So Long
After a major hailstorm, repair shops, body shops, roofing contractors, and glass repair companies can quickly become overwhelmed. Vehicle owners may face weeks or even months of waiting for inspections, parts, and repairs, particularly when thousands of vehicles are damaged in a single event. The larger the storm, the longer the repair backlog can be.
How Does Hail Affect Insurance Rates?
When insurers pay billions of dollars in weather-related claims, those costs can eventually influence insurance premiums. Rising claims frequency, increasing repair costs, and more severe weather events have all contributed to upward pressure on insurance rates across Canada. Since 2019, the cost of repairing and replacing personal property has increased dramatically alongside a
significant increase in weather-related claims.
While one hail claim does not automatically mean a large premium increase for an individual policyholder, repeated catastrophic losses across a region can affect insurance pricing for everyone.
Be Prepared
The best time to have confidence in your insurance coverage is before severe weather strikes. Taking proactive measures to prevent the time and hassle of an insurance claim is always the best bet. Understanding your existing coverage can help you avoid surprises if a hailstorm damages your property or vehicle.