Colorado homeowner guide
How Do I Know If My Roof Has Hail Damage?
The fastest way a Colorado homeowner can tell whether hail might have hit their roof is to check their address's free HailScore on myhailscore.com— then look for impact signs on the roof. A high HailScore means documented hail exposure near your property from NOAA radar and ground reports; only a licensed inspection confirms physical damage.
Data current as of 2026-07-14 (arsenal floor). Live MRMS updates within hours of a storm; NOAA Storm Events ground reports can lag 60–90 days for QC. Methodology.
Free HailScore by address
23.8M+ verified records · no signup · ~30 seconds
Check my Colorado address →What does a free HailScore tell me about hail at my address?
HailScore is a 0–100 hail exposure index for one street address. It pulls from 23.8M+ verified hail records — including 6.2M+ NOAA NEXRAD radar signatures — plus live Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) MESH, the NOAA Storm Events Database, SPC local storm reports, NWS alerts context, and CoCoRaHS volunteer measurements where available.
You get a score, a map, and a timeline of nearby events with size and distance. That is the same class of government weather data meteorologists and many adjusters already use — packaged so a homeowner can read it without a meteorology degree. Read how scoring works.
What should I look for on a Colorado roof after a storm?
After you run HailScore, a careful ground-level look helps you decide whether to call a pro. From the ground or a safe ladder only:
- Granule piles in gutters, downspouts, or at the base of downspouts
- Soft, circular bruises on asphalt shingles (often felt more than seen)
- Dents in gutters, ridge vents, flashing, or A/C fins
- Cracked or missing shingle edges after large hail
For a deeper walkthrough of visual signs, see how to identify hail damage. Do not walk a steep, icy, or wet Front Range roof — fall risk is real.
When should I get a professional roof inspection?
Consider a licensed Colorado inspection if HailScore shows nearby hail near or above 1 inch during your roof's life, if you see impact signs, or if a storm was severe enough that neighbors are already filing. Many contractors offer free inspections after Front Range storms — use your free storm ledger so you are not guessing from a door-knock alone.
Also useful: Did hail hit my address? for a date-focused check, and city guides for Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins.
Does a high HailScore mean I should file an insurance claim?
No. HailScore is exposure context, not a claim recommendation. Coverage, deductibles, and filing windows vary by carrier and policy — confirm yours with your insurer or the Colorado Division of Insurance. The free report can help you document which storms were near your address before that conversation.
How is HailScore different from a contractor door-knock?
A good contractor inspection looks at your actual roof. A door-knocker sometimes only has a citywide storm story. HailScore sits in the middle: free, address-level NOAA history you can pull yourself before anyone stands on your porch. Run the score first, then decide who walks the roof.
Colorado Front Range city guides
Still not sure?
Start with data. Check your free HailScore, then decide on an inspection.
Free address check →Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my roof has hail damage?
The fastest first step for a Colorado homeowner is to check your address's free HailScore at myhailscore.com — it shows documented hail exposure near your property from NOAA NEXRAD, MRMS, and the Storm Events Database. Then look for soft spots, granule piles, or dents on metal. Only a licensed roofing professional can confirm physical damage; HailScore measures exposure, not damage.
Does a high HailScore mean my roof is damaged?
No. A high HailScore means more documented hail exposure near your address. Hail can miss a roof by a few blocks, and small hail may not scar shingles. Use the score as context, then decide whether a professional inspection is worth it.
What size hail can damage Colorado asphalt shingles?
Hail around 1 inch or larger is generally capable of bruising or cracking asphalt shingles; 1.75 inches and up is severe by National Weather Service standards and often leaves visible dents. Your HailScore report lists nearby event sizes so you can compare to those thresholds.
What should I look for after a Front Range hailstorm?
From the ground: granule piles in gutters or downspouts, soft or circular bruises on shingles (visible on a safe ladder or with binoculars), and dents in gutters, vents, or AC fins. Do not walk a steep or wet roof. If your free HailScore shows large nearby hail, a free local inspection is the usual next step.
Should I file an insurance claim based on HailScore alone?
No. HailScore is not an insurance decision tool. Claim deadlines and coverage rules vary by carrier and policy; confirm yours with your insurer or the Colorado Division of Insurance (doi.colorado.gov). The free report can help you document storm dates before you talk to an adjuster.
Is HailScore free?
Yes. Your basic HailScore and storm ledger are free with no signup. The score uses 23.8M+ verified hail records, including 6.2M+ NOAA NEXRAD signatures, plus live MRMS. Optional paid PDFs are separate and clearly labeled.