The essentials in 30 seconds
Hail quarter-sized (1 inch) or larger is classed as severe by NOAA, but wind-driven smaller hail can also harm a roof. Check from the ground first, and leave the climbing to a roofer. The signs of hail on asphalt shingles are a random pattern of impact marks, bruises that feel soft when pressed, cracks, and battered ridge caps; dents and spatter marks on gutters, downspouts, flashing and air conditioners confirm that hail fell. Granule loss alone proves nothing, because shingles shed granules as they age. Take photos and video before any cleanup, make temporary repairs to stop water getting in and keep the receipts, and report the claim promptly.
- Your insurer's adjuster inspects at no cost to you; get your own roofer's opinion too.
- Never sign your insurance check over to a contractor, and never sign a contract with blank spaces.
- You do not have to sign an assignment of benefits to get your roof repaired.
How big was the hail? Sizes that matter
Note the size of the hail while it is still on the ground, and photograph a few stones next to a coin or a ruler. It helps your claim and tells you how closely to look.
| Compare it to | Diameter | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pea | 1/4 inch | Note it; check gutters and screens if the wind was strong |
| Penny | 3/4 inch | Walk around the house and scan the roof with binoculars |
| Quarter | 1 inch | NOAA's threshold for severe hail: do the full ground check below |
| Ping-pong ball | 1 1/2 inches | Full ground check, then consider a roofer's inspection |
| Golf ball | 1 3/4 inches | Photograph everything and call your insurer and a roofer |
| Tennis ball and larger | 2 1/2 inches and up | Protect the inside, document the damage and book a professional inspection |
Hail can fall in any strong thunderstorm. It is most frequent where Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming meet, an area NOAA calls "hail alley", which averages seven to nine hail days a year. Wind matters too: NOAA notes that wind-driven hail can tear up siding and break windows, so start your check on the side of the house that faced the storm.
How to check your roof for hail damage from the ground
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01
Wait for the storm to pass
Stay indoors until the thunder has ended and the hail has stopped.
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02
Photograph the hail
A few stones next to a ruler or a coin, plus the time and date.
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03
Walk around the house
Start on the side that faced the storm. Look at gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding, paint, fences, decks and the outdoor air conditioner unit.
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04
Use binoculars on the roof
Scan each slope for missing or lifted shingles, dark spots where granules have been knocked off, cracks, and dents in vents, flashing and the chimney cap.
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05
Check the ground
Granules collected at downspout outlets, shingle pieces and torn leaves are clues worth photographing.
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06
Look in the attic
In daylight, check for wet insulation, drips or new daylight around nails and vents. Our roof leak guide shows how to trace water.
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07
Look at your car and outdoor furniture
Dents on a car hood or metal patio furniture confirm a damaging hail event.
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Write it all down
Date, time, hail size, what you saw and where, with a photo of each item.
What hail damage looks like on a roof, gutters and siding
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) lists these signs on asphalt shingles:
- A random pattern of impact marks across a slope, rather than wear in lines or at edges.
- Bruising: soft spots you can feel when pressing on the shingle, often with granules knocked away.
- Cracks or breaks where the hailstone struck.
- Damaged ridge caps, which IBHS calls especially vulnerable on asphalt shingle roofs.
Hail also leaves evidence on everything around the roof. IBHS points to spatter marks or dents on air conditioners, gutters, metal flashing, downspouts and patio furniture; this collateral damage confirms that hail fell and helps separate hail damage from wear and tear.
| Part of the house | Signs of hail | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Random dark spots, bruises, cracks, exposed mat | Binoculars from the ground; a roofer confirms by touch |
| Ridge caps | Cracked or broken pieces along the peak | Binoculars from the side of the house |
| Metal vents, flashing, chimney caps | Dents and round spatter marks | Binoculars; photos with zoom |
| Gutters and downspouts | Dents along the front edge, crushed downspouts | From the ground or a window |
| Siding | Cracked or holed vinyl, chipped paint, dented aluminum | Walk the side that faced the storm |
| Windows and screens | Torn screens, cracked glass, dented frames | From inside and outside |
| Air conditioner | Bent condenser fins, dents on the casing | Look at the outdoor unit |
| Wood shakes | Fresh splits with sharp, light-colored edges | Leave to a roofer |
| Cars and patio furniture | Dents on hoods, roofs and metal chairs | Photograph as supporting evidence |
Wind damage from the same storm
Storms that bring hail often bring strong wind too. Wind damage looks different: missing shingles, tabs lifted or creased and folded back, exposed nails, ridge caps torn off, branches on the roof and debris in gutters. Photograph any shingle pieces you find in the yard.
Hail damage or normal wear: how to tell
Insurers pay for storm damage, not for age. The Texas Department of Insurance puts it plainly: your insurer will not pay for a new roof just because it is old or worn out. IBHS lists the look-alikes that are often mistaken for hail.
| What you see | Hail is likely if… | Wear or other causes if… |
|---|---|---|
| Granule loss | Dark spots scattered at random, with dents on nearby metal | Along shingle edges (normal weathering) or uniform across the roof; heavy rain also knocks granules loose |
| Discoloration | Spots that appeared right after the storm | Uniform wear or discoloration |
| Cracks and breaks | Where a stone struck, often with a bruise that feels soft | Curling edges and widespread granule loss on an aging roof |
| Marks and scuffs | Random across the slope | Marks from installation, tools or foot traffic |
| Odd spots or blemishes | Matched by dents and spatter marks on gutters and vents | Manufacturer defects, with no dents on the metal around them |
If the roof was already near the end of its life, our roof leak guide lists the signs of a worn-out roof and typical lifespans.
How to document hail damage for an insurance claim
Follow the advice of the NAIC (the US association of state insurance regulators) and state insurance departments:
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01
Report the claim promptly
Many insurers set a deadline for reporting. Have your policy number and contact details ready.
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02
Photograph before you clean up
Photos and video of the roof, gutters, siding, windows, the inside of the house and the hail itself. Make a written list of damage inside and outside.
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03
Keep damaged items
Hold on to broken pieces until your insurer says you can throw them away.
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04
Make temporary repairs
Cover holes and broken windows to keep rain out, and keep every receipt; these costs are typically reimbursed if the loss is covered. See roof leak for tarping.
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05
Wait on permanent repairs
Let the adjuster see the damage and review estimates before major work begins.
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06
Be there for the adjuster
The insurer's adjuster inspects at no cost to you. Walk the property together and show your photos and notes.
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07
Keep a log
Note the date, time and name of everyone you speak to at the insurance company.
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08
Get your own estimate
Ask a reputable roofer for a written estimate and compare it with the adjuster's report.
Know your policy
- Deductible: ask your agent whether your wind and hail deductible differs from your other deductible; some policies set a separate one.
- Older roofs: as roofs age, some insurers switch to paying actual cash value, which is less than the cost of a new roof.
- Payment in stages: with replacement cost coverage, the insurer may pay in two checks, the second after repairs start; if you have a mortgage, your lender may be named on the check.
- Public adjusters are hired and paid by you, unlike the insurer's adjuster.
- If the insurer stalls or does not investigate your claim reasonably, contact your state insurance department.
Avoiding storm chasers and roofing scams
After a big storm, out-of-town crews knock on doors offering free inspections. The FTC and state regulators list the warning signs:
- They say no license is needed, or offer a discount only if you sign today.
- They ask you to sign over your insurance check or pay in full up front.
- They want payment by cash, wire transfer, gift card, payment app or cryptocurrency.
- They bring a contract with blank spaces.
- They offer to waive or cover your deductible; in Texas, for example, waiving a homeowner's deductible is illegal.
- They push an assignment of benefits, which lets them deal with your insurer and collect payment directly; the NAIC stresses you do not need to sign one to have repairs done.
How to hire well:
- Confirm the roofer's license with your state or county where one is required, and ask for proof of insurance.
- Prefer local, established companies; ask friends, neighbors and your insurer for names.
- Get more than one written estimate describing the work, materials, dates and price.
- Read the whole contract. If you signed at home, it should state your right to cancel within three business days.
- Pay by credit card or check, and make the final payment only when the work is done and you are satisfied.
- Ask your bank about a payment arrangement that releases money to the contractor in stages after you approve the work.
- Report scams to your state attorney general and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Repairing or replacing a hail-damaged roof
A few damaged shingles on a sound roof can be repaired. Widespread bruising, damage on several slopes or a roof that was already worn usually means replacement. If you replace, IBHS suggests choosing shingles rated "Good" or "Excellent" in its Shingle Performance Ratings, tested to the UL 2218 or FM 4473 hail standards; the Texas Department of Insurance notes that some insurers offer a discount for roofing materials less likely to be damaged by hail. Make sure the roofer pulls any permits your town requires.
Roof hail damage: frequently asked questions
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Random dark spots where granules were knocked off, soft bruises, cracked shingles and broken ridge caps, usually with dents on gutters and vents nearby.
What size hail damages a roof?
NOAA classes hail of 1 inch, the size of a quarter, as severe. Smaller hail driven by strong wind can also damage older roofs.
How do I check my roof for hail damage?
From the ground with binoculars, plus a walk around the house for dents on gutters, vents, siding and the air conditioner. Leave climbing to a roofer.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage?
If your policy includes wind and hail coverage, your insurer should pay for hail damage, minus your deductible. Wear and old age are not covered.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?
It depends on your policy and state, and many insurers set reporting deadlines. Report as soon as you can.
Should I get a roofer before the adjuster?
A roofer's written estimate helps you compare with the adjuster's report. Avoid signing any contract or assignment of benefits before your claim is reviewed.
What is a storm chaser roofer?
A contractor who follows storms and knocks on doors. Check their license, insurance and local address, and never pay in full up front.
Can hail damage cause a roof leak later?
Yes. Bruised or cracked shingles can let water in months later, so document damage soon after the storm.
Sources
Official and insurance-safety guidance, checked on 27 October 2026.
- IBHS · Is it hail damage? ↗Signs of hail on shingles, look-alikes from weathering and defects, collateral damage on metal, hiring a roofer, impact-rated shingles.
- NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory · Severe weather 101: hail ↗Hail size comparisons, 1-inch severe threshold, hail alley, wind-driven hail damage.
- NAIC · After the storm, read the fine print to avoid signing away your insurance benefits ↗Documenting before cleanup, temporary repairs, reporting deadlines, adjusters and public adjusters, assignment of benefits, state insurance departments.
- Texas Department of Insurance · After hail or windstorms ↗Photos, damage lists, keeping damaged items, receipts, bids, deductible waivers, blank contracts.
- Texas Department of Insurance · Replacing your roof ↗Old roofs, actual cash value, separate wind and hail deductibles, two-check payments, discounts for resistant roofing.
- FTC · How to avoid scams after weather emergencies and natural disasters ↗Scam warning signs, license and insurance checks, estimates, contracts, three-day cancellation, payment methods, reporting.
Hail just hit your street?
Photograph the hailstones and every dent today, call your insurer, and let the roofer climb while you keep your feet on the ground.