Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Hail Damage? What You Need to Know

After a hailstorm, one of the first things homeowners want to know is whether their insurance will cover the damage. The short answer for most homeowners is yes — standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover hail damage to your roof and exterior under the dwelling coverage section. However, the details of your specific policy matter enormously when it comes to how much you will receive and what the process looks like.

What Does Standard Homeowners Insurance Cover?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies (HO-3 policies) cover hail damage under the "dwelling coverage" portion of the policy. This includes:

Roof repair or replacement — The primary coverage. If hail has damaged your roof to the point where it needs to be repaired or replaced, your dwelling coverage should apply.

Siding and exterior damage — Dents, cracks, and holes in siding caused by hail are typically covered.

Gutter and downspout damage — Dented or destroyed gutters from hail impacts are usually included.

Window damage — Cracked or broken windows from hail are generally covered.

Interior water damage — If a hail-damaged roof leaks and causes interior damage, that secondary damage is typically covered as well.

Your policy may also cover damage to detached structures like garages, sheds, and fences under "other structures" coverage.

RCV vs ACV: The Critical Difference

The single most important factor in how much your insurance will pay is whether your policy uses Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV).

Replacement Cost Value (RCV)

An RCV policy pays to replace your damaged roof with a new roof of similar quality, without deducting for depreciation. If your 15-year-old asphalt shingle roof is destroyed by hail, the insurance company pays for a brand-new roof.

RCV policies typically pay in two stages: an initial payment minus your deductible (and a depreciation holdback), and a second payment after the work is completed. The second payment covers the depreciation amount.

Actual Cash Value (ACV)

An ACV policy pays the replacement cost minus depreciation. Using the same example, if your 15-year-old roof had an expected lifespan of 25 years, the insurance company would deduct 60% for depreciation. On a $15,000 roof replacement, you might receive only $6,000 minus your deductible.

ACV policies are increasingly common, and some insurers automatically switch older roofs to ACV coverage. Check your policy now — before you need to file a claim — to understand which type of valuation you have.

Understanding Your Deductible

Your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage kicks in. For hail damage, there are two types of deductibles to be aware of:

Standard Deductible

A flat dollar amount, such as $1,000 or $2,500. This is straightforward — if your damage totals $12,000 and your deductible is $1,000, the insurer pays $11,000.

Percentage-Based Wind/Hail Deductible

Many policies in hail-prone states use a percentage-based deductible specifically for wind and hail claims. This is calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value, not the claim amount. For example, a 2% wind/hail deductible on a home insured for $400,000 means your deductible is $8,000.

Percentage deductibles are common in states like Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. They can significantly increase your out-of-pocket costs, so it is important to know your deductible amount before a storm hits.

How to File a Hail Damage Claim

If you believe your roof has been damaged by hail, follow these steps to file a successful claim:

1. Document the Damage

Take photographs and video of all visible damage — roof, gutters, siding, windows, and any interior water damage. Include wide shots showing the overall extent and close-ups showing specific damage points. Time-stamp your documentation.

2. Get a Professional Inspection

Hire a licensed roofing contractor to perform a thorough inspection. They will provide a detailed damage report with photos that serves as evidence for your claim. Many contractors offer free hail inspections.

3. File Your Claim Promptly

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after discovering damage. Provide the date of the storm, your documentation, and the contractor's inspection report. The insurer will assign an adjuster to evaluate the claim.

4. Be Present for the Adjuster Visit

When the insurance adjuster inspects your roof, have your roofing contractor present. They can point out damage that the adjuster might miss and ensure a thorough evaluation. This is not adversarial — it simply ensures all damage is documented.

5. Review the Estimate Carefully

Compare the adjuster's estimate to your contractor's estimate. If there is a significant discrepancy, you have the right to negotiate or request a re-inspection. Do not accept an estimate that does not cover the full scope of damage.

Filing Deadlines: Do Not Wait

Every insurance policy has a time limit for filing claims after a loss. These deadlines vary by state and by policy:

Colorado — Generally 1 to 2 years from the date of loss

Texas — Typically 1 to 2 years, depending on the policy

Kansas — Usually 1 year from the storm date

Oklahoma — Varies by policy, commonly 1 year

Some policies require you to notify the insurer within 60 to 90 days of the storm, even if you file the full claim later. Missing these deadlines can result in a complete denial of your claim, leaving you to pay for repairs entirely out of pocket.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting Too Long to File

This is the most costly mistake homeowners make. Hail damage does not fix itself — it gets worse over time as water infiltrates compromised shingles. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to link the damage to a specific storm event, and you risk exceeding your filing deadline.

Not Documenting Damage Before Repairs

Never make permanent repairs before filing your claim and having the adjuster inspect the damage. Emergency repairs to prevent further damage (like tarping a hole) are fine, but full repairs before documentation can jeopardize your claim.

Accepting the First Offer Without Question

Insurance adjusters may underestimate the scope of damage on their first visit. If the initial estimate seems low, request a re-inspection or hire a public adjuster to advocate on your behalf. You are not obligated to accept the first offer.

Not Knowing Your Storm Dates

Insurance companies require a specific storm date when you file a claim. If you cannot identify when the damage occurred, the claim becomes much harder to process.

How HailScore Helps with Insurance Claims

HailScore provides documented evidence of every hail event near your address over the past 10 years, including exact dates, hail sizes, and distances. This data comes directly from NOAA storm reports — the same source insurance companies use.

When you check your HailScore, you get a timestamped record that shows precisely which storms could have caused damage to your roof. This is valuable documentation to bring to your insurance claim.

Check your HailScore for free — see every hailstorm near your home with exact dates and sizes. Bring this data to your insurance claim for stronger evidence.