In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners policies list hail as a covered cause of damage, so hail to your roof, siding and windows usually goes through a homeowners claim, while hail to a car goes through your auto policy. What you collect depends on your deductible, whether your roof is paid at replacement cost or actual cash value, and your policy’s exact wording.
If the storm just hit, start with the hail damage step-by-step guide, then use this page for the coverage questions.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage at all?
Hail is usually a named peril, which means it is covered because it is listed. The Virginia homeowners insurance guide explains that a named peril policy “covers damage to your home only if the loss is caused by something specifically listed in the policy.” Its HO-2 form lists hail, breakage of glass, and the weight of ice, snow or sleet. The Texas Department of Insurance storm tips say most policies cover windstorm, hurricane and hail. If you live on the Texas coast or in Harris County on Galveston Bay, your home policy might not cover wind and hail, and you buy that coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
Hail itself is hard on property. The NOAA hail basics page from NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory says hail “can damage aircraft, homes and cars,” and that wind-driven hail “can tear up siding on houses, break windows.”
Does it cover my roof, siding, windows and solar panels?
Each part is handled a little differently.
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Roof | Hail is a covered cause in standard policies. The payout depends on whether the roof is paid at replacement cost or actual cash value, covered below. |
| Siding | Colorado’s Division of Insurance says no law requires an insurer to match siding or paint on undamaged sides. The company must repair or replace the actual damage the covered event caused. |
| Windows | The Virginia HO-2 form lists breakage of glass, and NOAA notes that wind-driven hail can break windows. |
| Solar panels | Ask your agent in writing whether the panels are covered under your dwelling limit or need an added endorsement, and which deductible applies. |
| Car | Hail to a car is handled under the comprehensive coverage on your auto policy. See the car section below. |
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to a car?
No, car damage is an auto insurance question. The Colorado Division of Insurance hail FAQ says a car hit by a second hail storm before repairs is assessed for the new damage and paid “less the initial hail storm payment and deductible,” and that “the comprehensive deductible will apply to both hail losses.” If the car is a total loss, payment is based on the “actual cash value of the vehicle at the time of the loss,” and a GAP policy covers any gap between that payment and your loan.
How do replacement cost and actual cash value affect a roof claim?
This is where the payout gap shows up. The Texas Department of Insurance uses a roof bought 10 years ago, a current replacement price of $10,000, and a $2,000 deductible.
| Policy type | What the insurer pays | Your total out-of-pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement cost | $8,000 | $2,000 |
| Actual cash value | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Replacement cost pays to repair or replace at current prices. Actual cash value pays replacement cost minus depreciation, which the Texas example puts at $7,000 for that roof. The same guidance says that to be fully protected, your policy should have replacement cost coverage.
How do wind and hail deductibles work?
Your policy has a standard deductible, and many insurers add a separate one for wind, hail or named storms. The Virginia guide says some are a flat amount, such as $2,000, while others are a percentage of the dwelling coverage. Here is the arithmetic on a $200,000 dwelling limit and a $5,000 hail loss. The Virginia guide’s worked example uses a hurricane, but the same math works for a percentage wind or hail deductible.
| Deductible | You pay first | Insurer pays |
|---|---|---|
| Flat $2,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 1% of $200,000 dwelling ($2,000) | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| 2% of $200,000 dwelling ($4,000) | $4,000 | $1,000 |
With a 2% deductible, the first $4,000 of this loss is yours. If your insurer raises your deductible at renewal, it must tell you and explain how the new one works, according to the Virginia guide.
What exclusions could affect my hail claim?
Look through your policy’s exclusions and ask your agent in writing what damage they remove from coverage before you file.
What if only one side of my house was hit?
Colorado’s Division of Insurance says no law requires a company to match siding or paint on the undamaged sides. The company is required to repair or replace the actual damage caused by the covered event. Be at the adjuster’s visit and point out every damaged side, since Texas guidance tells homeowners to do exactly that.
Can my insurer drop my policy after a hail claim?
Colorado’s Division of Insurance says no law addresses this, but if you have had multiple losses, including hail, an insurer may consider non-renewing the policy. Texas is firmer on one point: a company may not refuse to renew your policy because you filed a claim for something your policy doesn’t cover, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.
What should I do first after hail hits my house?
Work through these steps in order. The first 24 hours after a storm checklist covers the safety side as well.
- Call your agent or your company’s toll-free claims number as soon as possible. The Missouri Department of Insurance says that is the first move.
- Take pictures or video of the damage before any repairs. Don’t throw anything away until the adjuster says so.
- Make temporary repairs only. Cover a hole in the roof, cover broken windows and remove standing water. Keep receipts for materials.
- Don’t make permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage. Missouri says your company may not reimburse you if you do.
- Keep a list of damaged items and a record of everyone you talk to at the company.
- Be there for the adjuster’s visit, and bring your contractor if you can. The Texas Department of Insurance calls that a good idea.
Stop and call a pro for any live electrical, gas, structural, or suspected asbestos or lead work you find. Organize photos, estimates and call notes using the home insurance repair claims guide.
What should a contractor do, and what should they never do?
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Get multiple bids and compare them with the adjuster’s report before settling the claim (Texas Department of Insurance). | Offer to waive your deductible or promise a rebate. Texas law makes that illegal for contractors and roofers. |
| Hire contractors you know, or who were recommended by someone you trust (Missouri Department of Insurance). | Let anyone inspect your property while you are not watching. Missouri warns that some companies cause damage to raise the repair bill. |
| Pay in full only when the work is completed according to your agreement (Missouri Department of Insurance). | Pay the whole repair bill in advance. |
| Follow the suggestions from the #NoRoofScams campaign when you choose a roofer (Colorado Division of Insurance). | Start permanent repairs before the adjuster sees the damage. |
Before you sign, check the contractor’s license and insurance with the contractor license and insurance checks page, and read the how to hire a contractor guide for red flags.
How much does homeowners insurance cost, and how much coverage do you need?
Premiums change by company, home and area, so get quotes directly from insurers. The Virginia guide suggests calling several companies or agents and asking each one for an annual premium on the same coverage.
Start with the dwelling limit. The Virginia guide says to buy at least 80% of your home’s replacement cost, and the Texas Department of Insurance says most companies require the same. Replacement cost is the money needed to rebuild at current prices, which can be very different from what you paid for the house.
Where you live affects the price. The Texas Department of Insurance says premiums are higher in areas that have more storms, and it also lists your home’s replacement cost, construction materials and claims history. A higher deductible lowers your premium, but you pay more out of pocket each time you file, according to the Virginia guide. Your share of any hail claim is your deductible plus whatever the insurer does not pay toward the bill, as the roof example shows.
How do claim checks and deadlines work?
The Texas Department of Insurance describes the steps. Your insurer must tell you within 15 days that it received your claim, decide within 15 business days after it has all the information it needs, and send payment within five business days after agreeing to pay. Deadlines may be longer after major disasters. If the insurer denies the claim, it must tell you why in writing.
With replacement cost, most companies pay in two checks. The first covers the estimated repair cost minus depreciation and your deductible. The second covers the amount held back for depreciation, and it comes after the bill for the finished job. Ask how long you have to finish repairs.
If you have a mortgage, the repair check is made out to you and your mortgage company. In most cases the lender deposits it and releases money as work is done. If it doesn’t release the money on time, Texas guidance says to complain to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
If hail damage forces you out of the house, most policies cover some living costs. Keep every receipt. You can also hire a public adjuster, who works for you and charges fees. In Texas, public adjusters must hold a Texas Department of Insurance license, and they can’t give legal advice or take part in repairs.
Who should you call if something goes wrong?
| Who to call | When to call | How to reach them |
|---|---|---|
| Your insurer or agent | Right after the damage, and any time the claim stalls | Your company’s toll-free claims number |
| Your state insurance department | The insurer is not handling your claim properly, denied it unfairly, or did not pay enough | Missouri: 800-726-7390 or insurance.mo.gov. Texas: 800-252-3439 |
| Texas Attorney General’s Office | Your mortgage company does not release repair money on time | 800-252-8011 or TexasAttorneyGeneral.gov |
Every U.S. state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories have a Department of Insurance. The NAIC consumer resources page explains how to file a complaint with yours.
What else does homeowners insurance cover, and what does it skip?
A homeowners policy has four basic parts, according to the Virginia guide: property damage for your home and belongings, liability if you injure someone or damage their property, medical payments for people hurt on your property, and additional living expenses if you must move out during covered repairs. The CFPB homeowners insurance explainer says the policy pays for losses to your property and that lenders generally require proof that you have it.
| Problem | What the guides say |
|---|---|
| Snow and ice | The Virginia HO-2 form lists the weight of ice, snow or sleet damage. The same guide says damage to greenery from windstorm or ice is usually not covered. |
| Trees and shrubs | The Texas guide says most policies don’t cover wind or hail damage to trees and shrubs. Virginia says tree coverage is usually capped at 5% of the dwelling limit, with a $500 maximum per item, and that removing a fallen tree that damages covered property is covered. |
| Foundation repair | Damage to foundations or slabs is one of the common add-on coverages Texas lists. |
| Plumbing | A sudden, accidental release of water is covered. A continuous water leak is not (Texas). Virginia’s HO-2 form lists accidental discharge or overflow of water from plumbing. |
| HVAC and air conditioning | The Virginia HO-2 form lists freezing of plumbing, heating, or air conditioning systems among covered perils. |
| Mold | Texas says policies won’t cover mold removal, except to repair damage caused by a covered risk. Mold removal is a common add-on. |
| Termites | Texas lists termites, insects, rats or mice among the things most policies don’t cover. |
| Flood | Homeowners policies generally don’t cover flood. The CFPB lists flood and earthquake as common exclusions. |
| New roof and roof replacement | A replacement cost policy pays for a new roof at today’s prices after a storm, as the Texas example above shows. |
Before you file a claim
Policies and state rules vary, so the examples here come from Virginia, Colorado, Texas and Missouri, and your insurer’s answer comes first.
- Find your wind or hail deductible, and whether it is a flat amount or a percentage.
- Confirm whether your roof is paid at replacement cost or actual cash value.
- Ask about solar panel and window coverage in writing.
- Look through your policy’s exclusions and ask your agent in writing what damage they remove from coverage before you file.
- Ask your insurer for the deadline to file your claim. The Texas guidance notes that some policies have a one-year deadline unless you can show good cause for the delay.
By HomeRemodelingAndRepairs.net Home Research & Editorial Team