How Much Hail Damage for Insurance to a Replace Roof

How much hail damage do you need to have to replace a new roof? Hail can do a lot of damage regardless of how big or small the hailstones are. To be considered for total roof replacement, the insurance industry standard for hailstone diameter is 1 inch or larger. If possible, save some of the hailstones in your freezer to show to the insurance adjuster for measurement.

There is no 100 percent hail-proof roofing material. Asphalt is the most commonly used roofing material across the nation because of its durability and cost-effectiveness. If you live in an area that’s prone to frequent hailstorms, ask your roofing contractor about asphalt shingles with a UL 2218 rating, Class 3 or 4. They are the most resilient asphalt shingles you can find and will withstand hailstorms better than other classes.

If you’re wondering how to get insurance to pay for a new roof, you’ll need to check your policy to see if it’s ACV (Actual Cash Value) or RCV (Replacement Cost Value.) ACV means that your payout will be for the depreciation value of the roof at the time it was hail-damaged. In many situations, the ACV won’t be enough to completely replace your roof, so you will have to pay the difference yourself. RCV means that you’ll have your roof completely replaced as long as you go with the same type of roof you already have. Any upgrades or changes will be paid out of pocket.

Before your claim can be processed, the hail damage will need to be documented. The claims adjuster will get up on your roof and take photos. Dents and dings to your shingles will be apparent and the adjuster will also examine the flashing, roof vents, and gutters. The adjuster will mark the damaged area with chalk and may also look at a 10-foot-square area of the roof and count the number of hail marks; the presence of 7-10 marks is a good indicator that you need a roof replacement.

As mentioned, the age of your roof will factor in how much you will receive from the insurance company. On average, a roof depreciates approximately 5 percent from the date of installation. If you have an older roof and ACV insurance coverage, the insurance company will assess your roof at its depreciated value. You will receive a lower payout, meaning you will have to pay the remaining cost of your new roof plus the deductible.

Navigating roof replacement after a hailstorm can be tricky, so it’s important to understand what you are dealing with before you contact your insurance company. To maximize your insurance payout, work with a reputable roofing contractor who is experienced in dealing with insurance claims. The team at Premier Roofing understands how the insurance claim process works and will help you get your claim processed and paid as quickly as possible. We serve clients nationwide, so you can contact us locally for a free, no-obligation roof inspection to assess hail damage to your roof.

We’ll inspect the roof on your home, business, or multi-family buildings so you can have peace of mind that your roof is properly installed.