Every winter, a surprising number of cars suffer damage from falling snow blocks and towering icicles that detach from building roofs. AlfaStrakhovanie documented the five largest hull insurance payouts in 2022, illustrating how common and costly these incidents can be for drivers.
The top claim involved an icicle from Nizhny Novgorod striking a Mercedes. The impact damaged the vehicle’s body geometry, shattered the panoramic roof and side windows, and inflicted interior and door damage. In total, the insurer disbursed 6.6 million rubles to the car owner, underscoring how expensive roof-related mishaps can be even when the initial event seems relatively minor.
Next on the list is a BMW 320d from St. Petersburg. Ice fell onto the car, damaging not only the roof but also the hood, windshield, and side mirrors. The compensation amount reached 1.16 million rubles, illustrating that roof debris can propagate damage far beyond the top layer of a vehicle.
Another notable incident involved the Kassbohrer XS semi-trailer, whose roof racks were compromised by ice falling from Moscow. The payout to the claimant stood at 719 thousand rubles, highlighting how even commercial fleets face winter hazards that can disrupt operations and lead to substantial claims.
The fourth position on AlfaStrakhovanie’s list goes to a car from Tambov, where ice impacted the hood, roof, trunk, and rear glass, resulting in a payout of 714 thousand rubles. These cases show how a single piece of frozen precipitation can cause a cascade of costly damage across multiple structural areas of a vehicle.
Rounding out the top five is a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport hit by a large icicle. The damages included cracked glass, dents on the roof, and a compromised trunk lid, with claims totaling 550 thousand rubles. This example reinforces the broader lesson that winter weather can produce varied and severe harm, even to robust sport utility models.
In all of these scenarios, the common thread is clear: icy build-ups and heavy snow are not just a nuisance. They pose real threats to vehicles and their owners, and they can lead to sizable financial losses through hull insurance claims. The year 2022 demonstrated that a few dramatic events can dominate a policyholder’s experience, reinforcing the importance of proactive winter preparedness, careful parking choices, and regular maintenance to mitigate roof-related damage. Observers note that staying aware of weather forecasts, inspecting the vehicle after heavy snowfall, and choosing covered or sheltered parking when possible are prudent steps for reducing exposure to this risk. Insurance providers emphasize documentation of damage, timely reporting, and understanding policy coverage to ensure swift and fair settlements when incidents occur. Photo: Depositphotos