Record-High Car Damage from Hailstorms in Italy: A Growing Concern for Motorists and Body Shops

In 2023, Italy experienced a record high number of cars arriving at body shops due to damage from hailstorms. The trend has continued into 2024, with the federcarrozzieri association noting significant changes in requests for interventions and repairs from motorists. Over the past decade in Italy, requests for intervention for weather-related damage have grown by 50%, with regions like Veneto, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia Romagna representing almost 70% of total requests.

Last year in Italy, official data recorded 1,468 intense hailstorms that caused dents, blisters, shattered windows, and holes in car bodywork. Repair costs can range from 900 euros for small interventions to up to 10,000 euros for significant damage. Many cars are not covered by insurance policies that cover these damages, leaving motorists with substantial costs. Additionally, branches falling on parked cars during storms can cause dents and broken windows.

The impacts of climate change on the car sector are evolving as Saharan dust increasingly falls on cars during rainstorms. This dust can lead to scratches on paint, glass windshield wipers handles if not removed correctly requiring specialized polishing interventions costing between 300 and 500 euros. These types of interventions are often not covered by insurance policies making it the responsibility of car owners to address them.

Aside from weather-related damages, there is a growing demand for styling and fashion-related services in body shops. Many customers now seek personalized customization options such as color changing or adding graphics to their vehicles to enhance their appearance and make them stand out from others on the road.

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