Hail can damage a vehicle of any size, but the size of the hailstone and its speed and angle of impact can determine the severity of the damage. According to American Dent Specialists, a good rule of thumb is that hail has to be one inch or the size of a quarter to damage steel or aluminum vehicles. Most hail that is smaller than an inch, as long as it is not wind-driven, does not damage the surface of a vehicle to the extent that it needs to be repaired or an insurance claim needs to be made. However, hail that is over half an inch in diameter is more likely to cause severe damage to personal belongings, like a vehicle. Small hail, such as pea-sized hail, can cause unsightly exterior damage to a vehicle, especially if the hailstorm lasts more than a minute or two. The faster the hail is falling back to earth, the harder it hits the vehicle, and the wind speed and length of the storm factor into how dented the vehicle may get. The angle of the wind is also a factor in how much damage small hail causes to a vehicle, and the material the vehicle is made out of also factors into how much damage small hail causes to its exterior.

In summary, hail that is one inch or larger can damage a vehicle, while hail that is smaller than an inch may not cause significant damage unless it is wind-driven or very dense. Pea-sized hail can cause exterior vehicle issues, especially if the hailstorm lasts more than a minute or two, and the faster the hail is falling back to earth, the harder it hits the vehicle. The angle of the wind, the material the vehicle is made out of, and the speed and length of the storm are also factors that can determine the severity of the damage.