How To Find & Fix Hail Damage On Your Roof (Picture Guide)

One thing that homeowners may wonder is how much hail damage to replace roof with my insurance? If you experience hail storms, weather damage, or broken shingles, replacing your roof tiles with your funds can be costly. However, submitting an insurance claim can provide an easier way to pay for necessary repairs or replacements on your roof. 

Signs Of Hail Damage On A Roof

If you are a homeowner, you must find out how to identify hail damage. To determine how much hail damage to replace a roof, you need to know the signs of short-term damage, easy fixes, and necessary replacements. 

Although you can’t necessarily tell the extent of hail damage while standing on the ground below the roof, inspecting the roof from a different vantage point can indicate whether you will need an entire roof replacement or simple roof repairs. 

Dented Gutters Or Gutter Screens

One of the main signs of hail affecting roofs is dented gutters or damaged gutter screens.

If there is significant hail damage on your roof, you may find that the most lateral section of your roof, the gutters, also has extensive damage. Keep an eye out for dented gutters and large smashed-in areas due to storm hits. 

Damage To Siding And Window Casings

The second sign of hail damage on a roof is damage to the siding, window sills, or window casings.

If there is extensive damage on the top of your house, you may find hail impacts and hail damage on your windows. Broken windows are some of the most common exterior damage to houses. Many homeowners should also hire a professional who can find shingle damage that is hard to see to the untrained eye.

Damage To Air Conditioners

The third sign of hail damage on a roof is damage to the air conditioners. Air conditioners are usually on the side of the roof on top of your home.

As a homeowner or inspector, you must check the air conditioner, porch, and decking area to indicate extensive roof damage.

Damage To Decks Or Wood Surfaces

The next thing to inspect when it comes to damage on your roof is damage to decks, wood shingles, or other painted surfaces. Telltale signs of hail damage include chipped paint, dents, and holes in the decking. 

Damage To Shingles

The last aspect of your roof that you need to inspect when determining the extent of repairs or replacements on your house is damage to the shingles themselves.

Whether your installation consists of a harder material, like concrete, or a thinner material, like slate, hail damage can leave noticeable signs. 

The most common signs of damage to your roof that may require a replacement are hail damage to asphalt, slate, or composition shingles. Three-tab asphalt shingles can crack or break after an intense hail storm, whereas metal roof shingles can come completely loose. Exposed metal surfaces are highly susceptible to inclement weather, high winds, and hail impact. Depending on the hail size, owners may need to replace the metal fascia from inclement weather.

Will Insurance Cover A Roof Replacement?

The next thing to consider when it comes to identifying how much hail damage to replacing a roof is if insurance will cover the replacement. Filing a roof insurance claim requires several steps to confirm that the insurance company will cover the property damage.

To ensure your roof does not deteriorate even further and the thousands of dollars in repairs do not come directly out of your pocket, it is helpful to understand how to file a roof insurance claim to fix roof hail damage.

Contact A Roofing Company

The first step in seeing if insurance will cover a roof replacement is to contact a local roofing company to conduct a free roof inspection and record the damage. A roofing company will be able to use a trained professional to conduct a professional inspection regarding hail hits or storm damage on the roof and other structures. After their free inspection, the company can then provide a free estimate to provide homeowners with a reliable quote.

Contact The Insurance Company

The second step in learning if insurance will cover the roof replacement is first to contact your insurance company. If the roofing company notices and records sustained hail roof damage, they would contact the insurance company to file the claim.

Schedule A Comprehensive Inspection

After the initial inspection, the roofing company will come back for a follow-up inspection that thoroughly examines the roof, identifies the roof damage, and records the damage for the insurance company. The roofing company and the insurance company will inspect the hail-damaged roof together and reach an agreement regarding the outcome of the whole roof and the necessary costs. 

Choose A Date To Replace Or Repair The Roof  

After the insurance company and roofing company reach an agreement, the homeowner will choose a date to perform the roof work – whether a complete roof replacement or sustained hail damage roof repair. Homeowners will also choose the new roof materials and colors for their homes, such as asphalt shingles, siding, and roof vents. 

Tips For Replacing Your Roof

Before submitting a claim to your insurance company for the severe damage, there are a few tips to keep in mind before hiring a roofing company or contacting your insurance.

Choose The Roofing Company Carefully

Make sure you choose a roofing company in your local area with previous experience and expertise in working with insurance claims. Look at online reviews and ask for in-person recommendations to find a company that understands the entire process, how to read your claim, and how to work together in compliance with the insurance company.

Show Your Paperwork To A Roofing Contractor

When replacing your roof and submitting an insurance claim, the last tip is to show your paperwork to a roofing contractor. This way, you can cover all of your bases and avoid any insurance claim issues later on in the process. To receive the proper amount of compensation for replacing your roof, the items in the claim must also be included in the work required by the contractor. 

If there is significant damage on your roof due to a hail storm, high wind speeds, or tree branches, learning how to contact your homeowners insurance company is essential. After the initial roof inspection, homeowners must work together with an insurance agent to fix their storm damaged roof or pay for a full roof replacement. 

Talk to the Roofing Contractor

Along with showing your paperwork to a roofing contractor, you must ask them the correct questions to understand the extent of the damage and how to work with the insurance company. Some of the most important questions to ask will include the following:

• Do you have the proper qualifications and licenses to work as a roofing contractor?
• What insurance coverage do you or your company have?
• Do you provide warranties for roofing materials and labor fees?
• Is there an extended warranty on the roofing work?
• Do you follow the building/neighborhood codes and regulations?

As you can see, understanding how much hail damage is required to replace a roof can help homeowners with required repairs, insurance claim steps, and speaking with roofing contractors. By understanding the signs of hail damage, understanding if insurance will cover a roof replacement, and tips for replacing a roof, homeowners can cover all of their bases.