Homeowners should report hail damage on a roof as soon as possible after a storm—ideally within days. Acting quickly allows damage to be documented before it worsens and keeps you within your insurance company’s claim window, which can be limited. If you’re unsure whether your roof has damage, scheduling a free inspection with a trusted local roofer like Elite Roofing & Solar is the safest first step.
Reporting Significant Hail Damage Promptly Is Crucial
Homeowners should report Denver roof hail damage to their insurance provider as soon as possible after a storm—ideally within days. Acting quickly ensures that any damage is documented before it worsens and helps you stay within your insurance company’s claim window, which is often limited to 6–12 months.
As our team at Elite Roofing & Solar can also attest, prompt reporting allows for faster inspections and repairs, as Denver roofers see their calendars fill very quickly following a major storm.
Here’s what homeowners should know about when to report hail damage on their roof.
Signs It’s Time to File a Report for Hail Damage
Generally speaking, the more significant the hail damage is, the more likely it is to be reported to your insurance provider. Luckily, more significant hail damage is also easier to identify.
Common signs to look for include:
- Cracked or broken shingles
- Dark spots on the roof in a random pattern
- Damage to siding, fences, decks, and other exterior areas
- Dents in soft metals such as gutters or flashing
If you notice neighbors replacing shingles or siding after the same storm, that’s another clue you should get your roof inspected.
While assessing your home for damage, be sure to exercise caution. Remain on the ground at all times (or get a closer look at your roof, safely, from a ladder). Then, after you’ve identified signs of damage—or even if you didn’t—schedule a roof inspection to be sure.
What Type of Hail Causes Significant Roof Damage?
The most damaging type of hail tends to be large in size and clear in color.
The importance of size is intuitive to most: larger hail tends to be more damaging. Even Class 4 impact-resistant (IR) shingle varieties are only graded to protect against hail up to 2 inches in diameter, though of course, IR shingles will improve the odds of your roof surviving larger hail.
Density matters, too, however, and this is where the color of hail can make a difference:
- Clear hail is essentially solid ice with very few air pockets, which poses a much bigger threat to your roof (think ice cube vs snowball hitting your roof).
- Cloudy hail, on the other hand, is full of air molecules and therefore less dense. These pieces of hail break more easily and cause less damage, though cloudy hail that is large enough can still destroy a roof.
After a storm has safely passed, homeowners can find hailstones outside to determine the approximate size and evaluate its density. If you see large, clear hailstones, your roof is likely damaged.
When to Contact a Roofing Contractor vs. Insurance
In general, after a hail storm, a trusted roofer should be the first person you call. Some hail damage will be significant enough that you know an insurance claim is warranted immediately, in which case you should alert your insurance provider as well. But a lot of hail damage falls somewhere in between.
The biggest risk for homeowners is unseen hail damage that looks minor from the ground but leaves the roof vulnerable to leaks or future storms.
Generally, if your roof wasn’t damaged, the roofer will simply let you know. Since most roofing companies provide hail damage inspections at no cost, there’s little downside—and plenty of peace of mind—to scheduling one.
What Hail Damage Should Not Be Reported?
Homeowners may not want to report hail damage that is very minor or cosmetic in nature to their insurance provider. Damage should still be repaired, but if it’s minor, it may not even reach their policy’s deductible—and in some cases, filing reports can lead to increased premiums.
As a rule of thumb, however, homeowners should not file a claim if a trusted local roofer has determined that no significant damage was done to the roof.
Why Local Matters in Denver Hail Seasons
Hiring a local roofer is a smart move at any time, but this is especially true during the storm season and following a major hail event. The advantages of hiring a local Denver roofing company include:
- Local Knowledge – local roofers tend to have a better understanding of our climate and how to protect your home against hail
- Responsiveness – Local roofers are based nearby and can respond more quickly when your home is damaged.
- Trust – After major storms, out-of-town crews often flood the area looking for quick jobs. Roofers that are established in your area are typically trustworthy, as they rely on their local reputation.
Not Sure If Your Hail Damage Warrants a Claim? Elite Roofing & Solar Can Help
The worst thing a homeowner can do following a hail storm is nothing. While not all hail damage will require an insurance claim, it’s best to err on the side of caution and schedule a professional inspection to be sure you aren’t leaving your roof vulnerable to the elements.
As leading storm damage experts based right here in Denver, our team at Elite Roofing & Solar has years of expertise assessing and repairing roofs damaged by hail. Guided by our core values of Faith, Family, Honesty, and Integrity, we’ll examine your roof thoroughly and give you an honest assessment of whether a claim is needed. You can trust us to treat your home like it’s our own.
If you’ve been hit by a recent hail storm, contact our team today to book an inspection!
