Short answer
Check the things around the roof first: dents in gutters, downspouts, vent caps and AC fins, granules piled at downspout outlets, and damaged screens or patio furniture. Those confirm hail size and direction. A roofer then checks shingles for bruises, cracks and granule loss in test squares on each slope.
Ground-level clues
You can learn a lot without a ladder.
- Dents or dimples on aluminum gutters and downspouts.
- Dents on metal roof vents and chimney caps (use binoculars or a phone zoom).
- Flattened fins on the outdoor AC unit.
- Piles of dark granules at downspout outlets after the storm.
- Torn window screens, chipped paint on the windward side, and dented cars or mailboxes.
What hail does to shingles
Hail knocks granules loose and leaves dark spots. Hard hits fracture the fiberglass mat underneath, which you can't see from the ground. The roof may not leak for months, but bruised shingles lose granules faster and wear out years early under the sun.
How roofers and adjusters measure it
Most inspections use a test square, a 10-by-10-foot area on each slope, and count the hits inside it. Hits are circled in chalk and photographed. Adjusters look for functional damage, such as fractured mats and exposed asphalt, rather than cosmetic marks. Damage concentrated on the windward slopes is consistent with a single storm.
Where hail is most common
Hail claims are concentrated in the central U.S., from Texas and Oklahoma north through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, the Dakotas and Minnesota, but damaging hail reaches most states. If you live in hail country, check after every major storm.
Timing matters
Policies require prompt notice of damage, and evidence fades as granules wash away. Get an inspection within days or a few weeks of the storm and keep a record of the date, reported hail size and your photos.
When to call a roofer
- You see dents on gutters, vents or the AC unit after a storm.
- Neighbors are getting hail inspections or new roofs.
- Granules are piling up at the downspouts.
What the roofer does: see hail damage roof repair.
Common questions
What size hail damages shingles?
Hail about one inch or larger can damage standard shingles, especially older ones. Wind-driven hail does more damage.
Is hail damage covered by insurance?
Hail is usually a covered peril, subject to your wind and hail deductible. Some policies exclude purely cosmetic damage.
Editorial note: this guide is general information for homeowners, not a diagnosis or insurance advice. Conditions vary by roof, so a roofer should inspect and confirm the cause before any repair.