Hail damage on your roof? Know your rights before you call your insurer.
Plain-English guides on documenting damage, filing a claim, working with adjusters, and appealing a denial — plus a free way to request estimates from local roofers.
100% independent guidance — no insurance company behind this site.
Photo: Darrenn Williams, CC BY 3.0
Why homeowners start here
- 1Understand cosmetic vs. functional damage before an adjuster ever shows up.
- 2Learn what documentation carriers actually expect, in the order they expect it.
- 3Know what to do if your claim is denied or the scope feels low.
Already dealing with a claim? Make sure your coverage still makes sense.
Compare quotes from multiple carriers and agent networks in minutes — useful whether you're shopping after a claim or just haven't checked in a while.
Do I have a claim?
Answer a few quick questions about what you're seeing. It's not a substitute for a professional inspection, but it's a fast way to decide whether one is worth getting.
Storm-torn shingles. Photo: Sandul1234, CC BY-SA 4.0
How this site helps
Spot the damage
Learn what hail and wind damage actually looks like on your specific roofing material, before you call anyone.
Learn moreFile with confidence
Understand deadlines, what to have ready, and the mistakes that get claims delayed or denied.
Learn moreGet estimates from a roofer
Describe the damage once and local roofing contractors can inspect it and give you an estimate.
Learn moreAll guides
Hail & Wind Damage Signs
What hail and wind damage actually look like, what adjusters look for, the difference between cosmetic and functional damage, and how to document it.
How to File a Claim
A step-by-step walkthrough of documenting damage, understanding filing deadlines, contacting your carrier, and avoiding the most common claim-filing mistakes.
Working With an Adjuster
What happens during a roof inspection, what to have ready, questions to ask, and how company, independent, and public adjusters differ.
Denied? How to Appeal
Common reasons roof claims get denied, how to request a reinspection, how to write a rebuttal, the appraisal clause, and when to file a state complaint.
Choosing a Roofer
Storm chasers and deductible waivers, what a real contract includes, how to verify licensing and insurance, warranties, and payment schedules.
Understanding Your Policy
ACV vs. RCV, recoverable depreciation, wind/hail deductibles, matching, ordinance and law coverage, exclusions, and a glossary of policy terms.
Common questions, answered
All questions- I Did Everything Right and My Hail Claim Was Still Denied: A Case Study
- My Insurer's Inspector Took 142 Photos and Found Nothing
- My Insurer Valued My Hail Damage at $242. My Deductible Was $2,500.
- I Got Two Denial Letters Seven Days Apart. They Gave Different Reasons.
- What Size Hail Damages a Roof?
- Will Filing a Roof Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?
Roof claims by state
All statesFiling deadlines, wind/hail deductibles, matching rules, and contractor laws all change at the state line. Pick yours for the specifics.
Ready to talk to a roofer?
Describe the damage once and local roofing contractors can inspect it and give you an estimate — free, no obligation.