A hailstorm doesn’t have to devastate your family home. Prepare ahead of time, then stay safe and document the damage for repairs and insurance claims.
NOAA estimated that there were 5,432 hail events in 2025. That’s an increase compared to 5,373 events in 2024.
The amount of money paid out to cover the damage is also increasing. State Farm paid out over $5.6 billion in hail damage claims. Knowing what to do before and after these storms minimizes impact to your home and insurance.
How Can You Tell if a Hailstorm is Coming?
The best way to minimize hailstorm damage is to be prepared. If weather reports indicate that one is on the way, you can take steps to minimize the damage to your roof. All it requires is a bit of roof maintenance.
Clean your insulation, check your gutters, and clear any overgrown vegetation. You can also check outside for signs of an incoming storm.
Look for dark, tall storm clouds and check for sharp temperature drops on warm days. Also, remember to listen for a loud, continuous rumble. These serve as signs that the conditions are right for a hailstorm.
What Should I Do After a Hailstorm?
Safety is priority number one when riding out a storm. You also need to keep accurate records of the damage to send to insurance companies and a roof repair service.
Start with Safety
Stay inside a small room until the storm clears. Don’t go out to check until has completely passed.
When you do go out, stay away from debris, such as:
- Downed power lines
- Damaged trees
- Loose building materials
- Standing water
Be especially careful near electrical hazards.
Check for and Record Damage
Don’t attempt roof repair yourself. Instead, take a careful inventory of the damage from the ground.
Do your own basic storm damage assessment by looking over your entire property. Take photos and mark them with the time and date.
Start with the exterior of your home.
Check the roof for problems, such as damaged shingles or missing granules. Make sure the siding isn’t dented or cracked. Look for any dents or damage to your gutters to avoid water runoff problems when hail melts.
Look at all the windows throughout your house as well. Check whether any screens are torn or any glass is broken.
Check for any damage to exterior furniture, lights, or fences. Take a look at the HVAC unit to see if it was damaged.
Go look for interior damage next. Stains, wet walls, or musty odors can indicate water damage.
Note the size of the hail stones that fell, if you can. This will help determine how severe the damage actually is.
Is It Worth Filing a Claim for Hail Damage?
A standard homeowners’ policy covers direct hail damage, but there may be exceptions. Ask your insurance company whether hail is covered, what your deductible is, and the deadline to report. Let them know about the loss promptly.
It makes financial sense to file a claim when repair costs exceed your deductible. You also want to do it if you have severe widespread damage, especially active leaking. Age is another factor: a claim can help you protect a newer roof.
Filing a claim may not be worth it if the repair costs would be higher than your deductible or the damage is minor. You may also not want to file if the roof is old and you’ve submitted several claims on it recently.
Get a hail damage inspection. Professionals can help you determine the extent of the damage, making it easier to decide whether or not to file.
How to Get the Right Contractor to Fix the Damage
Hail damage requires emergency roof repair, but rushing to hire the first contractor you can find can leave your roof even worse off than before. Confirm their license and insurance to prove they have the experience to handle your roof.
Get more than one quote from multiple contractors. Comparing them helps you find the best balance of quality and affordability.
Ask the contractor everything you want to know about the project. Find out about the scope of the project, the expected timeline, their payment terms, and other factors so you don’t have any surprises.
Reliable contractors will have answers ready, and any reluctance to answer is a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does a Hailstorm Usually Last?
Hailstorms do major damage despite the fact that they only last around five to 15 minutes. The most severe ones can go on for 20 to 30 minutes.
Hail forms in a specific region in a thunderstorm that moves across the area quickly. The conditions needed to form hail can disappear quickly.
Even though they don’t last long, never assume the hailstorm is over after a few minutes. Wait for an all-clear from the local weather service.
At What Size Does Hail Cause Damage?
Hailstones that are 0.75 inches in diameter can dislodge shingles while denting gutters and old roofs.
According to the National Weather Service, hailstones need to be one inch in diameter to cause serious damage. At that size, they can damage asphalt shingle mats, dent vehicles, and more.
Hailstones larger than that can cause widespread damage. This includes:
- Severely damaging standard roofs
- Breaking skylights
- Cracking tile
- Denting cars
At two inches wide, you’ll see major structural damage to homes. These stones can also puncture roofs and break windows.
The level of damage a hailstorm causes is influenced by:
- Wind speeds
- Roof age and material
- Hail density
North and South Carolina have had several severe hail events. In fact, WCNC said they’ve had over 2,400 hailstorms with stones at least 0.75 inches in diameter in the past decade.
Find Roof Repair Services for the Next Storm
A hailstorm can ruin your roof if you’re not prepared. Maintenance helps prevent damage, but staying safe is the most important thing. Document the damage with help from a professional inspection so it can be fixed as soon as possible.
Allcon Roofing is a licensed and insured roofing provider. We provide installation, repair, and inspection for commercial and residential roofs.
Our dedication to reliable service sets us apart. We complete projects on time and within budget. We also work directly with your insurance company.
Contact us today for emergency roof repair that gets you back to your life sooner.