Hail Damage Inspection

Why this matters

After hail storms, roofing contractors are in demand for damage assessment. Customers need expert inspection to determine if their roof was damaged + to support insurance claims. Understanding hail damage characteristics + the inspection process is essential for storm-related work.

What hail damage looks like

For asphalt shingles:

Each has different significance.

Functional vs. cosmetic

The key distinction:

Functional damage:

• Reduces the shingle's life
• Compromises waterproofing
• Insurance typically covers
• Replacement justified

Cosmetic damage:

• Affects appearance only
• Doesn't reduce roof life
• Insurance may not cover
• Customer's choice on replacement

The inspector documents this difference.

Hail size + damage correlation

Larger hail = more damage.

Inspection procedure

Step 1: Customer interview

1. When was the storm?
2. Has a claim already been filed, and has an adjuster already been out?
3. Customer's homeowner's insurance status
4. Recent prior inspections

Step 2: Ground-level survey

1. Walk around the property
2. Look for visible damage

Step 3: Roof inspection

1. Climb the roof carefully
2. Inspect from corner to corner
3. Document every concerning area

Step 4: Specific damage documentation

For each damage point:

1. Photograph
2. Note location (slope, row, etc.)
3. Identify damage type (functional / cosmetic)
4. Customer file note

Step 5: Comprehensive report

For the customer:

1. Summary of findings
2. Photos
3. Recommendations
4. Insurance support documentation
5. Customer's expected next steps

A professional report supports the customer.

Common damage indicators

For inspection:

Each is documented.

When to recommend replacement

For comprehensive damage:

• More than 20% of shingles damaged
• Multiple slopes affected
• Functional damage widespread

Customer's claim supports replacement.

When to recommend repair

For limited damage:

• Single section affected
• Limited shingle replacement

Repair option.

Insurance considerations

For storm claims:

1. Customer should file with insurance promptly
2. Adjuster visits
3. Contractor's inspection supports
4. Customer's coverage applied

Customer's adjuster determines.

Working with insurance adjusters

For roofing contractor:

1. Be present at adjuster's visit OR
2. Provide detailed report
3. Customer's insurance representative
4. Customer's interest supports

Cooperative relationship.

Hail-damage red flags

For inspections:

A reputable inspector reports honestly.

When the customer's claim is denied

For denied claims:

1. Inspector's report supports
2. Customer's appeal possible
3. Independent inspection sometimes
4. Customer's decision

Customer's options.

Customer expectations

For hail damage:

1. Insurance covers some + customer pays deductible
2. Repair vs. replacement based on damage extent
3. Customer's home protection during work
4. Customer's coordination

A trained customer supports the process.

Documentation standards

For hail inspection:

1. Property address + identification
2. Date of inspection
3. Storm date (verified)
4. Damage type (functional / cosmetic)
5. Locations affected
6. Photo documentation
7. Recommendations
8. Customer's signature

Comprehensive report.

Inspection timing

For storm response:

• Schedule promptly (customer + insurance timelines)
• Sometimes weeks-out demand
• Customer's insurance deadlines
• Customer's home protection

Some customers wait too long; insurance may decline.

Insurance claim timeline

Standard:

Multi-week process.

When the customer's claim is for total replacement

For comprehensive:

1. Inspector confirms widespread damage
2. Customer's coverage allows
3. Customer's quote for new roof
4. Customer's investment matched by insurance

A complete reroof.

When the customer's claim is for repair only

For limited damage:

1. Inspector confirms limited
2. Customer's quote for repair
3. Customer's lower investment

A repair scope.

Cosmetic-only damage

For customer:

1. Document
2. Customer's insurance may decline
3. Customer's options (out-of-pocket replacement, accept appearance)
4. Customer's decision

A customer's choice.

Hidden damage

Sometimes:

• Granule loss elsewhere (not directly from hail)
• Wind damage from same storm
• Customer's complete claim

Document everything storm-related.

When the customer's roof is older

For aged roofs:

• Pre-existing wear vs. hail damage
• Document differences
• Customer's insurance specifics
• Customer's coverage limits

Older roofs may not be fully covered.

Customer education

For storm damage:

1. "Your roof shows hail damage"
2. "Functional vs. cosmetic distinction"
3. "Insurance claim supported"
4. "Customer's next steps"

A clear explanation.

Common pitfalls

• Pressure to claim damage that's not there
• Pre-existing wear blamed on hail
• Inadequate documentation
• Skipping the customer's adjuster meeting
• Customer's wrong expectations

Maintain integrity.

Multiple slope assessment

For each slope:

• Chalk the test square and photograph it with the slope direction identified (north, south, east, west). Adjusters expect per-slope test squares, and a report with one square for the whole roof gets kicked back
• Count the hits inside the square and record the number, not an impression. "North slope: 9 hits in the 10 by 10" is a finding; "north slope damaged" is an opinion
• Note the directional pattern. Hail comes in on a storm direction, so the windward slopes take the hits and the leeward slopes often show little. A roof with uniform damage on all four slopes usually is not hail
• Check the soft metals on that slope (vents, flashing, gutters, gutter apron) for the same directional pattern. Soft metal is the corroborating evidence for the shingle hits
• Photograph one close-up of a representative hit on each slope with a size reference in the frame
• Record slope pitch and access method, because that drives the repair scope and the labor line on the estimate

If one slope reaches the threshold and another does not, say so. A per-slope finding is what supports a partial-roof scope, and it is what protects you if the adjuster disagrees.

References

• IBC + IRC Chapter 15 (Roofing)
• ASTM hail-damage standards (where applicable)
• Insurance industry standards
• Manufacturer documentation
• NRCA storm response guidance
• Manuall internal: Identify Storm Damage, Replace Damaged Shingles, Asphalt Shingle Replacement SOP