How can I tell if my roof has hail damage?

Check for dark spots or bruises on asphalt shingles, unusual granule deposits in your gutters, dents in metal flashing or vents, and cracked or chipped tiles. Also check your surroundings — dented gutters, A/C units, siding, and cars indicate your roof took similar impacts. If you see any of these signs, have a licensed roofer do a full inspection.

Do I need to get on my roof to check for hail damage?

No, and you shouldn't. Falls from roofs and ladders cause serious injuries every year. Most hail damage indicators — granules in gutters, dented flashing, damaged siding, soft metal vent damage — are visible from the ground. A licensed roofing contractor can safely inspect the roof surface and provide a documented assessment for your insurance claim.

How long do I have to file a hail damage insurance claim?

It depends on your policy, but most homeowners insurance policies require you to report hail damage within 1-2 years of the event. However, filing promptly — within days, not weeks — is strongly recommended. Delays make it harder to prove the damage was caused by a specific storm, and the damage can worsen over time as moisture penetrates compromised shingles.

What is the difference between a wind/hail deductible and a standard deductible?

A standard homeowners deductible is a flat dollar amount (e.g., $1,000). A wind/hail deductible — common in hail-prone states like Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma — is calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value, typically 1-2%. On a $350,000 home, a 2% hail deductible is $7,000. Check your policy declarations page to see which type you have.

Should I let a roofing contractor file my insurance claim for me?

You should file the claim yourself by calling your insurer directly. A contractor can provide an independent inspection report and scope of work to support your claim, and they can file supplements if their assessment exceeds the adjuster's estimate. But the claim itself should come from you as the policyholder. Be cautious of contractors who want to handle the entire process — you need to understand and control your own claim.

How to Spot Hail Damage on Your Roof (And What to Do Next)

A hailstorm can pass through your neighborhood in 15 minutes and leave damage that takes months to show up. The hail dents your car — that's obvious. But the damage to your roof? Most homeowners don't know it happened until a leak appears in the ceiling six months later.

By then, you've missed the optimal window for filing an insurance claim, and the repair has gotten more expensive. Here's how to identify hail damage early, document it properly, and take the right steps before a small problem becomes a major one.

What Hail Actually Does to a Roof

Hail doesn't always punch holes through shingles. More often, it causes damage that's invisible from the ground but structurally significant over time.

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has studied hail impact on roofing materials extensively. Their research shows that even hailstones as small as 1 inch in diameter can crack the surface of asphalt shingles, letting moisture reach the mat underneath. Over months, that moisture works its way into the underlayment and decking — turning a surface-level impact into a structural issue.

The damage pattern depends on your roofing material:

Asphalt Shingles (Most Common)

Asphalt shingles are on roughly 70-80% of U.S. homes (Census Bureau, Characteristics of New Housing). Hail damage on asphalt shows up as:

Dark spots or bruises. These are areas where the granule surface has been knocked loose, exposing the black asphalt layer underneath. They often look like dark circles, roughly the size of the hailstone.
Granule loss. Check your gutters and downspout discharge areas. A heavy buildup of granules after a storm is a clear sign. Some granule wash is normal on a new roof, but a sudden increase after hail is not.
Soft spots. If you can safely touch the shingle, a hail-damaged area will feel soft or "spongy" compared to the surrounding surface. The mat underneath has been fractured even if the surface looks intact.
Cracking or fractures. Larger hailstones (1.5 inches or more) can crack shingles outright, creating visible splits or breaks.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are more durable against hail, but they're not immune. Look for:

Dents. Cosmetic dents may not affect function, but deep dents can compromise the panel's protective coating and lead to corrosion.
Scratches in the finish. If the paint or coating is scratched through to bare metal, that's a point where rust will start.
Seam and fastener damage. Hail impacts near seams or fasteners can loosen connections, creating potential leak points.

Clay and Concrete Tile

Tile roofs are common in parts of Texas, Florida, and the Southwest. Hail damage on tile is usually obvious:

Cracked or broken tiles. Even small cracks allow water penetration. Broken tiles need immediate replacement.
Chips and pitting. Surface chips may not cause immediate leaks, but they weaken the tile's ability to shed water over time.

How to Inspect Your Roof Safely

You do not need to get on your roof to identify most hail damage. In fact, falls from roofs and ladders cause thousands of injuries every year — including homeowners, not just construction workers. OSHA lists falls as the leading cause of death on job sites, and your roof is no safer just because it's yours.

Here's what you can check from the ground:

Gutters and downspouts. Look for dents in metal gutters and an unusual amount of granules in the gutter troughs. This is the single most reliable ground-level indicator.
Air conditioning unit and outdoor equipment. Hail hits everything equally. If your A/C unit, mailbox, or outdoor furniture has dents, your roof took the same impact.
Siding and window frames. Dents, chips, or cracks in siding — especially on the side of the house facing the storm — indicate the roof got hit too.
Soft metals around the roof. Check flashing, vents, and the metal caps on chimneys. These are softer than shingles and will show dents more readily.
Cars and vehicles. If your car has hail dents, the hailstones were large enough to damage your roof.

If you see damage indicators on any of these surfaces, it's time to call a professional for a full roof inspection. Most reputable roofing contractors offer free storm damage inspections.

Check Inside the House Too

Exterior signs aren't the only indicators. If hail has compromised your roof, water may already be getting in:

Attic inspection. If your home has an accessible attic, look for daylight coming through the roof boards, wet insulation, or water stains on the underside of the decking. Use a flashlight.
Ceiling stains. Water stains on interior ceilings — especially near the roofline — may indicate that hail damage created a leak path. These stains often appear days or weeks after the storm.
Peeling paint near the roofline. Moisture infiltration from above can cause interior paint to bubble or peel before a visible leak develops.

Document Everything Before Anyone Touches the Roof

If you suspect hail damage, documentation comes before repair. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and other state regulators recommend documenting damage thoroughly before work begins — it protects your insurance claim and your rights as a homeowner.

Photograph everything. Take wide shots of the roof from each side of the house, plus close-ups of any visible damage. Include gutter granules, siding dents, and damaged outdoor equipment in your documentation.
Record the date and time of the storm. Your insurer will need this. Most policies require claims to be filed within a specific window after the event (typically 1-2 years, but check your policy).
Save the hailstones if you can. A photo of hailstones next to a ruler, coin, or other size reference helps establish the severity of the event.
Don't make temporary repairs unless necessary. If you must tarp a section to prevent interior damage, photograph the area first and keep receipts for any materials — these are often reimbursable under your policy.

The Insurance Claim Timeline

Timing matters. Most homeowners insurance policies cover hail damage, but the claim process has deadlines and steps that work in your favor if you follow them.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), here's the standard process:

File promptly. Contact your insurer within days of the storm, not weeks. Many policies have time limits for reporting damage (some as short as 60 days for wind and hail).
Request an adjuster inspection. Your insurer will send an adjuster to assess the damage. This is their estimate, not your final say.
Get a contractor inspection. Have a licensed roofing contractor inspect your roof independently. Their assessment may identify damage the adjuster missed.
Compare the two. If the contractor's scope is larger than the adjuster's, your contractor can file a supplement — a formal request for the insurer to cover the additional work. This is standard and common.
Don't settle too fast. The initial adjuster's estimate is often lower than the actual cost of repair. Supplements exist for a reason. You are not obligated to accept the first number.

The TDI advises homeowners to understand their deductible before filing. In Texas and other hail-prone states, many policies have a separate wind/hail deductible (often 1-2% of the home's insured value) rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $350,000 home, a 2% hail deductible is $7,000.

Common Mistakes After a Hailstorm

These are the mistakes that cost homeowners the most — leading to denied claims, poor repairs, and unnecessary expenses:

Waiting too long. Hail damage gets worse over time as moisture penetrates the compromised surface. What starts as a cosmetic issue becomes a structural one. File your claim and get inspected promptly.
Signing a contract before the adjuster visits. Let your insurer inspect first. Contractors who pressure you to sign before the adjuster visit are prioritizing their timeline, not yours.
Ignoring "minor" damage. A few cracked shingles may not leak today, but they will leak eventually. If the damage is documented and the claim is filed, your insurance covers the repair now — not after it becomes a bigger problem.
Hiring the first contractor who knocks on your door. After major storms, out-of-area contractors flood affected neighborhoods. FEMA consistently warns about contractor fraud following disasters. Take time to verify licensing, insurance, and local references. (Read our full guide on choosing a contractor after storm damage →)
Not documenting before repairs. If a contractor starts work before you've photographed and filed, you lose the evidence your insurer needs to process the claim.

When to Call a Professional

You should have a licensed roofer inspect your roof after any of these conditions:

Hailstones 1 inch or larger (quarter-sized or bigger)
Visible dents on your gutters, A/C unit, or siding
Granule deposits in your gutters that weren't there before the storm
Any interior signs of water infiltration (ceiling stains, wet attic insulation)
Your car sustained hail dents in the driveway

Most reputable contractors offer free hail damage inspections. A professional can identify damage patterns that aren't visible from the ground — including soft spots, hairline cracks, and compromised flashing — and provide a documented report you can submit with your insurance claim.

Think your roof may have hail damage? Get a free inspection from a qualified local roofer →

If you're dealing with storm damage and need a qualified roofing contractor, Conveyra connects homeowners with licensed, insured roofers in their area. Find contractors in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, or get matched with contractors in your area.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional roofing, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed roofing contractor and your insurance provider for guidance specific to your property and policy.