After the storm

Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.

Illustrative example, not a real car, owner or business. A May hailstorm in Aurora cracks the rear glass of an SUV parked at an apartment lot. The owner notices the crack two days later, after another rain, when the cargo area smells musty.

  1. They photograph the cracked glass, hail dents and wet cargo carpet.
  2. They call their insurer, who opens a comprehensive claim for hail damage.
  3. The glass is replaced. The owner tapes plastic over the opening until the appointment.
  4. A detailer removes the cargo carpet, dries the padding and floor, treats the area for mildew and replaces the soaked padding.
  5. The owner keeps receipts for the glass, drying and cleaning and sends them to the insurer.

The mildew smell cleared after drying and padding replacement. The insurer handled the glass and reviewed the cleanup costs as part of the hail claim.

Why speed matters with hail leaks

Water that sits in carpet padding for more than a day or two starts to grow mildew, and the smell can spread through the whole cabin. Covering the opening right away and starting drying limits the damage. Photos taken before any cleanup help the insurer connect the water damage to the hailstorm.

Hail can also crack sunroof glass and damage seals without breaking glass, so check after every storm.

After any hailstorm

How the week went

Day 1
Hailstorm; crack not yet noticed.
Day 3
More rain; musty smell; crack found and photographed.
Day 4
Insurer contacted; opening covered with plastic.
Day 6
Glass replaced; carpet removed and padding dried.
Day 8
Padding replaced; closed-car recheck.

What could have gone worse

If the owner had waited another week, mildew could have spread into the seat foam and the cargo-area trim, and the smell would have reached the whole cabin. Electrical connectors under the cargo floor could also have corroded. Acting within days kept the damage limited to padding and carpet. The owner now walks around the SUV after every storm, which takes a minute and catches cracks before rain does. Parking under cover during hail warnings, when possible, prevents the damage in the first place.

Common questions

Does comprehensive coverage include the mildew cleanup?

Often the resulting water damage is reviewed with the hail claim, but the insurer decides. Report it and keep receipts.

General information for Aurora, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.