A hailstorm can pass through Central Texas in minutes, but the damage it leaves behind isn’t always something you can see from the ground. If a recent storm has come through your neighborhood, here’s what to actually look for, and the steps to take if your roof was hit.
Signs Your Roof Has Hail Damage
Hail damage isn’t always obvious just by looking up from your yard. A proper inspection matters, because some of the clearest signs are only visible up close. Dented vents and gutters are often the easiest indicators to spot without even getting on the roof. On the shingles themselves, hail knocks granules loose in the exact pattern of the impact, leaving small, circular bare spots that are easy to miss unless someone’s actually up there looking for them.
Get an Inspection Sooner Rather Than Later
Many insurance policies set their own deadline for reporting storm damage, sometimes as short as a year from the date of the storm. Missing that window can mean losing your ability to file a claim at all, even if the damage is real and significant. If a storm has hit your area, it’s worth scheduling an inspection even if you don’t see obvious damage yet.
How the Insurance Claims Process Works
Filing a claim can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been through it before. Here’s what a properly handled claim should include:
- A HailTrace weather report specific to your home, showing exactly when your property was hit, how many times, how large the hail was, and how strong the winds were.
- Drone photography to document damage up close, giving your insurance company clear evidence to work from.
- A contractor meeting your adjuster at the home for the inspection.
- A supplemental claim request if the initial estimate misses anything, whether that’s your roof, gutters, siding, or windows.
Done right, you should only ever pay for what your insurance approves, meaning the only out-of-pocket cost is your deductible.
Know the Law Before You Choose a Contractor
One thing that catches a lot of homeowners off guard: Texas law (Insurance Code Chapter 707, from House Bill 2102) requires policyholders to pay their own deductible on a property insurance claim. It’s illegal for a contractor to pay, waive, rebate, or otherwise help you avoid paying it. Doing so is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Some contractors, especially storm chasers who show up in a neighborhood right after a storm, offer to cover your deductible to win your business. It’s worth knowing that’s not just a shady sales tactic; it’s against the law. Steer clear of anyone who makes that offer.
When Is a Full Replacement Necessary?
Not every hail-damaged roof needs a full replacement, but when it does, timing matters for the reasons above. Getting an inspection early gives you options. If you wait until a leak shows up or damage becomes visible from the ground, you may have already missed your filing window or made a smaller problem worse.
If a recent storm has come through Central Texas, it’s worth getting your roof looked at, even if everything looks fine from below. Contact EMC Remodeling for a free hail damage inspection, and we’ll walk you through the entire process from there.