Cost guides · Roofing
Hail Damage Roof Repair Cost and What to Check
What hail damage roof repairs cost as of 2026, what you can safely check from the ground, how insurance claims work and how to avoid storm-chaser scams.
Updated November 3, 2026 · 10 min read
Repairing hail damage on a roof typically costs $700 to $4,000, as of 2026 (Fixr). Scattered damage on asphalt shingles sits near the low end, and widespread damage, especially on metal, near the top. If hail damaged most of the roof, a full replacement may be the fix, and insurance often helps with covered storm damage.
This guide covers what hail repairs cost, what else hail tends to damage, what you can safely check from the ground, and how to handle the insurance claim and the roofers who show up after a storm. Every price is a national range from a cited source.
What does hail damage roof repair cost?
Fixr puts hail damage roof repair at $700 to $4,000 nationally (Fixr). Replacing damaged sections of an asphalt roof averages around $700, and the cost climbs with pricier materials and wider damage (Fixr). Metal roofs can reach the top of the range, because dented panels may need to be replaced whole (Fixr).
Hail repairs usually mean removing and replacing sections of roofing, not patching single spots, which is part of why they cost more than many other repairs (Fixr).
What pushes the price up:
- How much of the roof was hit. A few damaged shingles on one slope is a small job. Damage on every slope is not.
- Your roofing material. Asphalt is the cheapest to repair, while slate, tile and metal cost more (Fixr).
- Hidden damage. Hail can crack flashing or leave small cracks that later leak, which an untrained eye may miss (Fixr).
- Demand after the storm. After a big hailstorm, many homes need roofers at once. Book an inspection soon, but don't let a busy season rush you into signing.
How does your roofing material change the cost?
Fixr doesn't break hail repairs down by material, but its general roof repair ranges by material give a sense of the spread:
- Asphalt shingles: $150 to $1,500 (Fixr).
- Wood shakes: $350 to $1,500 (Fixr).
- Metal: $500 to $2,000 (Fixr).
- Clay or concrete tile: $500 to $2,500 (Fixr).
- Slate: $700 to $3,000 (Fixr).
Tile and slate are brittle, so hail can crack them, and the roofer has to work carefully to avoid breaking more pieces during the repair (Fixr).
What if the storm also brought high winds?
Hailstorms often come with strong wind, which can lift or tear off shingles. Fixr puts wind damage repairs at $250 to $6,500 on its roof repair page (Fixr), and at $2,000 to $8,000 on its storm damage page (Fixr). The two pages use different assumptions, so treat both as rough guides. If you see missing shingles as well as dents, mention both to the roofer and your insurer.
What does it cost if hail damage means a new roof?
When hail damages most of the roof, replacement may make more sense than repair. Fixr notes that an insurance company may recommend replacement if 50% or more of the shingles have significant damage, the shingles are warped, or the damage caused several leaks (Fixr).
For severe storm damage that calls for a new roof, Fixr's storm guide gives a range of $20,000 to $30,000 (Fixr). For comparison, a typical roof replacement averages about $10,000, with most between $7,500 and $14,000 (Fixr). Our roof replacement cost guide breaks down what drives that price.
What else does hail damage besides the roof?
Hail rarely hits only the roof. Fixr puts hail damage repairs across a whole home at $3,000 to $12,000, depending on hail size and what was hit (Fixr). Other common repairs after a hailstorm:
- Gutters: $175 to $550 to repair damaged sections (Fixr).
- Siding: $300 to $1,000 to repair hail dents and cracks (Fixr).
- Broken windows: $175 to $700 on average (Fixr).
- Skylights: hail can crack skylights badly enough that they need replacing (Fixr).
When you file a claim, list everything the hail hit, not just the roof. The adjuster can then assess the whole loss at once.
How big does hail have to be to damage a roof?
There's no single size that guarantees roof damage. It depends on the hail, the wind and your roof's age and material. The National Severe Storms Laboratory says hail the size of a quarter, about 1 inch across, or larger is considered severe (NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory). Strong winds can drive hail sideways, which can tear up siding and break windows (NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory).
Size comparisons the lab uses:
- Penny: 3/4 inch.
- Quarter: 1 inch.
- Ping-pong ball: 1 1/2 inches.
- Golf ball: 1 3/4 inches.
- Tennis ball: 2 1/2 inches.
- Baseball: 2 3/4 inches.
That list is from the National Severe Storms Laboratory. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety also studies how large amounts of small hail affect roofing, not just big stones (IBHS).
Hail can happen anywhere strong thunderstorms form (IBHS). The area where Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming meet averages seven to nine hail days a year (NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory). Citing NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, the Insurance Information Institute reports 5,432 hail events in 2025, with Texas and Kansas having the most (Triple-I).
What can you safely check after a hailstorm?
You can gather a lot of evidence without climbing a ladder. Please stay off the roof. Walking on a damaged roof is a fall risk and can add damage or hurt your insurance claim (This Old House).
First, stay safe. Keep away from downed power lines and anything touching them, and call 911 if you see one. If a tree or large branch came through the roof, keep everyone out of the rooms beneath it.
Then look for "collateral" damage on things at ground level. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety says dents or spatter marks on items like air conditioning units, gutters, downspouts, flashing and patio furniture help confirm that hail hit your home (IBHS). Safe checks:
- Outdoor AC unit. Look for dents in the metal fins and cover.
- Gutters and downspouts. Look for dents, and for piles of shingle granules at the bottom of downspouts.
- Siding and window frames. Look for chips, cracks and dents.
- The yard and driveway. Look for pieces of shingle (Fixr).
- The roof, from the ground. Use binoculars to look for missing, cracked or broken shingles (This Old House).
- Inside. Check ceilings and, if it's safe to reach, the attic for new water stains (Fixr).
Take dated photos and video of everything you find. That record helps both the roofer and your insurer (Texas Department of Insurance).
What isn't hail damage?
Not every mark is from hail. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety lists common look-alikes (IBHS):
- granule loss along shingle edges, which is normal weathering;
- even wear or discoloration across the roof;
- manufacturer defects;
- marks from installation, tools or foot traffic; and
- granules washed off by heavy rain.
This matters because insurance pays for storm damage, not normal aging. A roofer who points to hail damage should be able to show you a pattern that fits hail.
When should you get the roof inspected after hail?
Soon after the storm, even if nothing is leaking. Fixr stresses that a thorough inspection matters after hail, because some damage, like harmed flashing or small cracks, isn't obvious to an untrained eye and can lead to leaks later (Fixr). The Texas Department of Insurance advises filing a claim as soon as you can (Texas Department of Insurance).
Waiting has a cost. Unrepaired hail damage leaves the roof more open to bigger problems (Fixr), and the longer you wait, the harder it can be to show which storm caused the damage. Note the storm date and keep your photos together in one place.
What will a roofer check for hail damage?
A roofer will inspect the roof up close, safely, with the right gear. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, hail damage on shingles usually shows up as (IBHS):
- a random pattern of impact marks;
- bruises, which are soft spots you can feel when pressing on the shingle;
- cracks or breaks where hail struck; and
- damage to ridge caps, which are especially exposed on asphalt roofs.
They should also check flashing, vents, skylights and gutters, and look in the attic for leaks. A storm damage assessment costs around $350 on average, according to Fixr (Fixr). Ask for photos of every damaged area, marked by roof slope. You'll want them for your claim.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage?
Usually, if your policy includes wind and hail coverage. The Texas Department of Insurance says your insurer should pay for hail damage if you have that coverage (Texas Department of Insurance). How much you get depends on your deductible, your coverage limits and what the insurer's inspector finds (Fixr).
Steps that help:
- Call your insurance agent first to report suspected damage and learn the next steps (IBHS).
- File as soon as you can (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Prevent more damage. Have holes covered to keep rain out, and save receipts, since your policy may pay for temporary repairs (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Don't throw out damaged items until your insurer says you can (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Be there for the adjuster so they see everything (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Keep a list of everyone you talk to at your insurance company (Texas Department of Insurance).
Know your policy terms, too. Your wind and hail deductible may be different from your regular one, and older roofs may be covered at actual cash value, which pays less than replacement cost (Texas Department of Insurance). With replacement cost coverage, you may get a first partial check, and the rest after repairs begin (Texas Department of Insurance).
If the roofer's estimate and the insurer's differ, Fixr notes that you're likely to be covered only up to the insurer's figure (Fixr). Ask your insurer how to dispute an estimate if you think something was missed.
How do you avoid storm-chaser scams?
After a big hailstorm, people may knock on your door offering free inspections or quick repairs. Some are fine, but take your time. Advice from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the Texas Department of Insurance:
- Be careful with unsolicited offers to inspect or repair your roof (IBHS).
- Choose a company with a local address and get multiple estimates (IBHS).
- Say no to high-pressure sales tactics (IBHS).
- Don't pay in full up front, and hold the final payment until the work is done (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Be wary of offers to waive your deductible. In Texas, it's illegal to waive a homeowners deductible, and your insurer may ask for proof you paid it (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Make sure the roofer pulls any required permits (IBHS).
Should you repair or replace after hail?
If the damage is limited to a few areas and the roof is fairly young, a repair is often enough. If 50% or more of the shingles are badly damaged, the shingles are warped, the hail left several leaks, or the roof structure was compromised, Fixr says replacement may be the better option (Fixr). If the roof was already near the end of its life, it's also worth pricing a new one.
Hail damage can shorten a roof's life even when it isn't leaking yet (IBHS). Our roof repair cost guide lists what common fixes cost if the damage is minor. If water is already coming in, see our roof leak repair cost guide.
Should you upgrade to impact-resistant shingles?
If you're replacing the roof in a hail-prone area, it's worth asking. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety suggests choosing shingles rated "Good" or "Excellent" in its shingle ratings, which are tested to the UL 2218 or FM 4473 standards for hail resistance (IBHS). The institute buys shingles from retail stores and tests them with realistic hail impacts, checking for dents, cracks and granule loss (IBHS).
Your insurer might offer a discount for roofing that is less likely to be damaged by hail (Texas Department of Insurance). Ask your agent before you choose a shingle, and ask the roofer to quote both a standard and an impact-resistant option.
What questions should you ask a roofer after hail?
- Can you show me photos of the hail damage on each slope, and how you told it apart from normal wear?
- Did you find damage to flashing, vents, gutters or skylights?
- Is this a repair, or does enough of the roof need replacing to make a new roof the better value?
- Will you document the damage so I can show my insurance company?
- Is your estimate itemized so I can compare it with the adjuster's?
- What happens to the price if you find damaged decking?
- Is your work guaranteed, and for how long?
- Do you have a local address, and do you carry liability and workers' compensation insurance? (IBHS)
What should you do next?
Stay safe, stay off the roof, and take photos of everything the hail hit. Call your insurance agent, then get a roofer to inspect before more rain finds the damage.
To see the likely damage and typical costs for your situation, try Check my roof. It takes a couple of minutes and lists questions to ask, and from there you can talk with a local roofing company.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if hail damaged my roof without climbing up?
Look for dents or spatter marks on things at ground level, like your AC unit, gutters, downspouts and patio furniture. Check the yard for shingle pieces and the bottom of downspouts for piles of granules. Then have a roofer inspect the roof itself.
Can hail damage a roof even if nothing is leaking?
Yes. Hail can bruise or crack shingles and loosen granules without causing an immediate leak. That damage can shorten the roof's life and lead to leaks later, which is why an inspection after a big storm is worth it.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety suggests calling your insurance agent first to report suspected hail damage and learn the next steps. A roofer's inspection and photos can then support your claim.
Is it normal for granules to come off shingles?
Some granule loss is normal, especially along shingle edges and on a new roof, and heavy rain can wash some off. Hail damage usually shows a random pattern of impact marks, bruises or cracks. A roofer can tell the difference up close.
What should I do if a roofer knocks on my door after a storm?
Take your time. Be careful with unsolicited offers, get more than one written estimate, avoid anyone who pressures you, and don't pay in full up front. Never sign a contract with blank spaces.
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it?
In hail-prone areas they can be. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety rates how asphalt shingles hold up to hail, and some insurers offer discounts for hail-resistant roofing. Ask your agent and your roofer before you choose.
Sources
- Fixr: Storm damage recovery and hail damage repair cost
- Fixr: How much does it cost to repair a roof?
- Fixr: Roof replacement cost
- Fixr: Roof inspection cost
- IBHS: Is it hail damage?
- IBHS: Hail research
- IBHS: Hail impact-resistant shingle ratings
- IBHS: Tips for hiring a roofing contractor
- NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory: Hail basics
- Triple-I: Facts and statistics, hail
- Texas Department of Insurance: Hail damage to your home or car
- Texas Department of Insurance: Insurance and your roof
- This Old House: Emergency roof leak repair
Cost ranges are estimates from public sources, not quotes. Your pro will give you exact pricing.
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