Many people in the United States have experienced hail storms this year. Do I need to replace my roof if it was damaged by hail? Do I need to get a new one, or can it be repaired and last for another few years? These are common questions that homeowners ask when they experience damage from a storm. In this article, we will discuss how long your roof can last with hail damage and whether or not you should replace it after any type of storm! 

There are a few things to consider when answering this question. The first is the size of the hailstone. If your roof was damaged by golf-ball sized hail or larger, it will likely need to be replaced. The second factor to consider is how old your roof is. A roof that is nearing the end of its lifespan should also be replaced after sustaining hail damage, regardless of the size of the stones.

However, if your roof is new and has only been minorly dented by hail, it can often be repaired without needing to replace the entire thing. Talk with a professional about what course of action is best for you! So, do I need to replace my roof if it was damaged by hail? It depends on the size of the hailstone and how old your roof is. If you are unsure, consult a professional to get their opinion!

A Hail Damage Roof Inspection Guide – Roof Hail Damage What to Look For

Hail can cause significant damage to roofs. A proper hail damage roofing inspection is important to identify and assess the damage so that it can be repaired quickly and properly. This guide provides information on how to inspect a roof for hail damage.

The first step in inspecting a roof for hail damage is to look for visible signs of damage. Hail can cause dents, cracks, or punctures in the roofing material. Look for broken or missing shingles, as well as displaced flashing around chimneys and vents. If there is any standing water on the roof, check to see if it is from recent rain or hail accumulation.

After looking for visible signs of hail damage, you should do a thorough inspection of the roofing material. Start by checking the shingles for dents, cracks, or punctures. If you find any damage, gently lift the shingle to see if the underlayment is also damaged. If there is damage to the shingles and/or the underlayment, the roof will need to be repaired or replaced.

You should also check around chimneys and vents for displaced flashing. Flashing is a metal sheet that is used to seal off these areas from water intrusion. Hail can cause flashing to become loose or displaced, which could lead to water infiltration and roof damage. If you suspect hail damage but are unable to do an inspection yourself, it is best to contact a professional Hail Damage Roofing Inspector. They will be able to properly assess the damage and recommend the appropriate repairs.

Roof Hail Damage What to Look For

Dents in the Shingles

Bruising or Cracking in the Shingles

Bare Spots on the Shingles

Loose Granules in Your Downspouts and Gutters

Soft Spots in the Shingles

Dents or Dings in Metal Roof Vents, Metal Valleys, or Flashing

Rule of thumb: If you notice any visible damages to your vents or skylights, fixtures, or flashing, there’s a very good chance your shingles are suffering too. In some cases, hail damage to asphalt shingles may not be visible even when you are looking straight at the shingles.  Tip: If you notice blemishes on your roof, and you are unsure if they are from hail damage, you can rub your hand over the surface of the shingle to check for dimples in the surface. If you find any, press on the dimples with your fingertips to see if there is any play in the material. If there is, that means that the shingles have taken on enough damage to degrade their integrity.  By degrading the integrity of your shingles, we simply mean that there are parts of the shingle where the asphalt granules have been removed by the hailstones, making material beneath more vulnerable. If you do find hail damage to your roof, this next section will tell you what to expect your roof hail damage repair cost to run you: 

Roof Hail Damage Repair Cost

Roof hail damage repair cost can vary depending on several different factors. The size, shape, and incline of your roof are some of the things that may get factored into the price, but for the most part, the repairs will be gauged by how much work has to be done. A simple repair to part of your roof, or even one side of your roof will essentially cost less than a full roof replacement.

For asphalt roofs, you can expect to pay between $400 and $700 per “square” (100 sq. ft.) for repairs, and between $5,000 and $20,000 for full roof replacement due to wind or hail damage. We have an article on metal roof cost in Minneapolis here that you can read if your metal roof has been damaged, that will break down replacement costs for the different types of metal roofs.

In the case that you do find damages on your roof, this next section  will offer some tips on roof hail damage insurance claims.

Roof Hail Damage Insurance Claims – What You Need to Know

When dealing with roof hail damage insurance claims, or any home insurance claims for that matter. It’s important to go with a reputable insurance company! According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 1 in 50 home insurance claims every year are related to wind and hail damage. 

An insurance claims process can be frustrating and time-consuming, and end up costing you way more than you expected and being a big headache if you aren’t prepared in advance. 

Depending on the size of the claim you need to cover damages to your home, you could end up fighting with your insurance company, and wind up paying thousands of dollars out of pocket.

According to Consumer Reports, 41% of home insurance claimants with claims over $30,000 have experienced disagreements over damages to their home, disputes about insurance coverage, payment delays, and slow insurance payouts.

Tips for Getting the Best Coverage for Your Roof Hail Damage Claim

Getting the best insurance coverage for your roof hail damage claim can make a huge difference in how your hail damage insurance claim goes. It can also affect how much money, if any, you end up having to dish out of your own pocket.

Here’s the thing: Insurance companies are well aware of the fact that they could end up spending a lot of money on insurance claims involving your roof. In fact, most insurance companies have offset this known fact, mitigating their risk by implementing special insurance coverage options for your roof. Here are some tips for getting the best coverage for your roof hail damage claim from the start: 

• Pick a Top Insurer – Someone very reputable and well known for their exceptional insurance claims experiences:
• Read Your Policy! – Make sure that your home insurance policy explicitly states that you are paying for homeowners insurance that includes wind and hail damage coverage.
• Hire an Experienced Contractor – Sellers Roofing Company – New Brighton has years of experience handling, insurance claims of all types for homeowners. One of our experts would be happy to guide you through the entire process and make sure everything goes smoothly.
• Prepare in Advance – Keep your roof free from debris, and have routine roof inspections performed by a licensed contractor

Roof Insurance Claims Process – Step by Step

https://youtu.be/OY_EjZZF_SQ If you do end up needing roof repairs or a reroofing due to hail damage, the first thing you should do if your home or business has been hit by a severe weather storm is record the damage. Take pictures, videos, and make a list of everything you see that may be damaged. Then, the damages will need to be correctly assessed by your insurance company. Try to notify your insurance company immediately after you notice damages to let them know what happened so that they can get the claims process on the way and get an adjuster to come out and assess the damages. Your insurance agency will then require you to pay the insurance deductibles that you agreed on when the insurance policy was purchased before filing your claim, and the deductible amount will vary from case to case depending on how bad the damages are. After the adjuster makes their assessment, a summary of damages will be sent to you along with the first check. This is where having an experienced roofing contractor who is familiar with the insurance claims process comes into play. 

Our roofing experts here at Sellers Roofing – New Brighton have years of experience working with insurance claims, and we can make our assessments of the damage and then take a look at your paperwork and discuss the figures with the homeowner, and the agency if needed to review the accuracy of the summary and payment estimates Your insurance company may withhold a “depreciation” value back from the total amount of your claim, which will be the difference in the value of a new roof and the value of your existing roof. For a 10-year old roof, the deduction may be around $3,000 to $5,000. Some insurance companies will offer to “refund” the sum for the depreciation amount to the contractor after the project is complete, but don’t expect in your initial cash claim. After the roof hail damage claim is approved and you get your money, your insurance company will expect you to get the repairs done within a given time frame. If you have a mortgage company, expect some extra paperwork there too, that will need to be filled out to get your check released. 

The mortgage company will generally need to approve any repairs before they release your check, and generally, the first check that is cut will go to the roofing contractor as a deposit for the materials or as payment for the completion of the repairs or replacement. 

After the roofing repairs or replacement. Sellers Roofing Company- New Brighton takes pride in offering the home and business owners of greater Minneapolis our expertise and guidance with any and all insurance claims concerning the exterior of your home! 

We have experts with years of experience working with homeowners and claims adjusters, and we can guide you through every step up the project until completion! If your home or business has taken on damages from an unexpected storm, falling debris, or any other type of accident, we are just one call away!