It's the season of unsettled weather: Tornadoes, thunderstorms and hail. Recent storms in the Midwest pummeled cars and homes with golf ball-sized hail, but even hail the size of a pea can pack quite a punch and cause substantial damage.

According to information from the Farmers Seasonal Smarts Digest, hail accounted for 42% of all comprehensive auto claims during the second quarter. Geography impacts where hail damage will be most prevalent, with the Midwest region experiencing higher claims. Approximately 90% of non-collision auto claims and 60% of homeowners' claims occurred in Oklahoma. In Nebraska, 86% of non-collision auto claims and 65% of homeowners' claims were related to hail damage. Interestingly, South Dakota also saw significant hail damage with 87% of its comprehensive auto claims and 60% of the homeowners' claims related to spring hail storms.

These figures confirm the findings from CCC Information Services, which saw a definite increase in hail-related auto claims appraisals written through their software. Claims rose in multiple states including: Colorado (16.2% increase); Delaware (10%); Iowa (22%); Kansas (19%); Missouri (17%); Montana (43%); Nebraska (33%); New Mexico (13%); Pennsylvania (12%); South Dakota (52%); Vermont (32%) and Wyoming (18%).