Wind and Hail Damage Claims

Wind and hail are among the most common causes of property damage on the Gulf Coast. A single storm can tear off shingles, dent metal roofing and gutters, crack siding and break windows, and the damage is not always obvious from the ground.

Most homeowners and commercial property policies cover sudden wind and hail damage, but the details matter: the type of deductible, whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value, and how quickly the damage is reported can all change the outcome of a claim. This guide walks through what typically happens and what you can do to protect your claim.

• Severe thunderstorms with straight-line winds or microbursts
• Hailstorms, from small stones that bruise shingles to large hail that cracks tiles and punctures skylights
• Tornadoes and the high winds around them
• Tropical storms and hurricanes, which can bring sustained winds well inland
• Wind-driven debris such as tree limbs, fencing and loose building materials

Visible damage is often the easiest part of the claim: missing or creased shingles, dented gutters and downspouts, cracked siding, broken windows, damaged fences and torn screens.

Hidden damage is where many wind and hail claims are underpaid. Look for, or ask a professional to check for:

• Hail "bruising" on shingles: soft spots where the mat is fractured even though the surface looks intact
• Granule loss collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets
• Lifted or unsealed shingles that can fail in the next storm
• Dents on roof vents, flashing, HVAC units and metal trim
• Water stains on ceilings, damp attic insulation or rusted nails that suggest a new roof leak
• Cracked skylights, damaged solar panels and broken seals on windows

Our article on how to document roof, hail and wind damage covers what to photograph and how.

Depending on your policy, wind and hail coverage typically includes:

• Dwelling: the roof, siding, windows, attached structures and building systems damaged by wind or hail
• Other structures: detached garages, fences and sheds
• Personal property: belongings damaged when wind or hail creates an opening, such as rain entering through a broken window
• Loss of Use / Additional Living Expense (ALE): reasonable extra costs if your home is unlivable while repairs are made
• Reasonable emergency repairs: tarping and board-up to prevent further damage are usually reimbursable when documented

Check your declarations page for limits and whether your roof is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value. Our article on reading your declarations page explains where to find this.

• Wind and hail deductibles: many Gulf Coast policies carry a separate wind/hail or named-storm deductible, often a percentage of the dwelling limit rather than a flat amount.
• Cosmetic damage exclusions: some policies exclude dents to metal roofing or siding that do not affect function. Read the endorsement carefully.
• Roof age schedules: some policies pay roofs on an actual cash value basis or a depreciation schedule based on age.
• Wind exclusions in coastal areas: some coastal policies exclude wind entirely, with wind coverage placed through a separate wind pool or policy.
• Wear and tear and prior damage: insurers commonly argue that damage is old or caused by deterioration rather than the storm.
• Flood: outside water entering the building, including rising water and storm surge, is typically excluded from standard policies and is usually covered by a separate flood policy, often through the NFIP. We do not handle NFIP flood claims. If your policy includes flood coverage by endorsement, we can review it like any other covered loss. The wind portion of a storm loss is usually a separate claim under your property policy.

Policies typically require "prompt" notice of a loss, and some set specific windows for reporting wind or hail claims after a storm. Many policies also require a sworn proof of loss within a set number of days after the insurer requests it, and limit how long you have to file a lawsuit. State law adds deadlines for the insurer to acknowledge, investigate and pay claims. Check your policy and ask your insurer to confirm any deadlines in writing.

• "The damage is from an older storm" or "it's wear and tear."
• "The hail marks are cosmetic only."
• "Only a few shingles need repair," when matching or the roof's condition may call for a larger replacement.
• An estimate that leaves out code-required items, flashing, ventilation or overhead and profit.
• Disputes over how much of the damage is wind versus water in a hurricane.

As licensed public adjusters, we work for you, not the insurance company. On a wind and hail claim we typically inspect the full property, including the roof and attic, document hidden damage, review your policy and deductibles, prepare a detailed estimate, and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.

If the dispute is over the amount of loss, the appraisal process may be an option. Learn more about our public adjusting services.

Texas: Texas law sets timeframes for insurers to acknowledge, investigate and pay claims, and has special pre-suit notice rules for weather-related claims. In designated coastal counties, wind and hail coverage may be provided by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), which has its own claim deadlines.

Louisiana: Louisiana law sets timeframes for insurers to begin adjusting and to pay claims, and these rules have changed in recent years. Wind coverage for some coastal properties is written by Louisiana Citizens or under separate wind policies.

Mississippi: Coastal Mississippi properties may have wind coverage through the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA) rather than the homeowners policy, so a single storm can involve more than one claim.

These notes are general. Your policy and current state law control.