Hail storms are a fact of life in the Mid-Atlantic. Storms bringing hail generally start in April, and may not end until well into the fall. In many cases, there is only scattered damage, but a severe storm can cause damage to thousands of homes. For example, according to HailPoint, an August 28, 2020 storm in Fredericksburg, VA brought 1”+ hail damage to nearly 25,000 homes!
How Do You Know You Have Hail Damage?
But how do you know you have roof hail damage? Generally, hail has to be 1”+ in diameter to cause discernable damage to your roof. If you had a storm like that and you have asphalt shingles (composite shingles), there are several ways to tell. Look for:
- Random dings or dents with no obvious pattern
- Dings or dents in your roof flashing, gutters, or downspouts
- Black round spots/hail hits
- Loss of granules
It’s likely that if your gutters and downspouts have hail damage, your roof does, too. But the only way to know for sure if you have roof hail damage, and how bad it is, is to get an inspection by a reputable roofing contractor. But before you make any repairs, you need to call your insurance company and tell them you suspect hail damage to your roof.
Hail Damage Coverage
Hail damage to your roof is covered by your homeowners’ insurance. It’s pretty standard coverage. Your insurance will pay for needed roof repair or roof replacement if the damage to your roof is severe. The amount your insurance pays may vary depending on your type of coverage and how old your roof is. You will be responsible for the deductible.
The first thing to do if you suspect hail damage is to call your homeowner’s insurance company and file a claim. It will be helpful if you have pictures of the hail damage to any area of your home where it is visible. This could include low areas of the roof, gutters, downspouts, siding, garage door, etc.
How to File a Roof Hail Damage Claim
To file a roof hail damage claim, follow these steps:
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Document the Damage
Take pictures of any hail damage you see anywhere on the exterior of your home. If possible, place a ruler in the shot to show the size of the dings or dents. Take pictures of the hail if you’re at home when the storm hits.
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Submit Your Claim
Depending on your insurance company, you may be able to file a claim online, where you can upload your photos. You may also wish to call them, and they will give you an email to send photos. An insurance agent will go over your policy coverage and next steps.
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Get Hail Damage Roof Repair Estimates
Call 3 or more local and reputable roofing contractors to get estimates for roof repair. These estimates should be free. Don’t pay any money, sign any contracts, or make any repairs just yet. Make sure to get the estimates in writing.
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Schedule an Appointment with the Insurance Adjuster
You’ll receive a call from the insurance adjuster to schedule an appointment for them to assess the damage. If at all possible, have a trusted roofing contractor come to your meeting with the adjuster to make sure no damage is overlooked. The adjuster will come up with a total cost for repairs after assessing the damage, looking at your photos, etc.
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Get a Settlement for the Cost of Repairs
Once the adjuster submits their report, your claim should be approved, and you can reach a settlement for the cost of repairs. If you disagree with their first offer, tell them why, and remind them of the estimates you received. If they deny your claim, ask for a second adjuster to visit and have a roofing contractor you trust onsite for their visit.
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Hire a Roofing Contractor to Repair or Replace Your Roof
Based on your settlement amount and which roofing contractor you liked best, you can now call one of the companies you interviewed to schedule the work to be done. Make sure the contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured and has a good reputation locally.
In most cases, your insurance company will release the money in 2 parts – half up front, and half upon completion of the project.
RELATED READING: Hail Damage Repair: Repairing Roof Hail Damage
What About Your Roof Warranty?
If you recently had your roof replaced, it may be under warranty. Hail damage is not covered under a roof warranty, but wind damage is – and frequently the two go hand in hand. You would need to contact your roofing contractor to have them come take a look to see if you can get any repairs under warranty. If we installed your roof, please contact us directly.
Do You Suspect Roof Hail Damage? We Can Help
If your area had a large hail storm and your neighbors have roof hail damage, you may want to schedule an inspection with a reputable roofing contractor. Our hail damage inspections are free, and we’ll go over your options while we’re at your home. Don’t make the mistake of hiring less experienced tradesmen. Hire one of the most experienced, expert roofing companies serving Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C.
Schedule a call or contact us at (703) 820-3077