Hail claims are won and lost on documentation. The storm passes in minutes, but the arguments about what it did can last months. Here is how to build a record that holds up.
Right after the storm
- Note the date and time. Write down when hail started and stopped and how large the stones looked.
- Photograph hailstones next to a coin, ruler or tape measure, if it is safe to go out.
- Photograph soft metals: gutters, downspouts, window wraps, roof vents, mailboxes, grills and air conditioner fins. These show hail size and direction.
- Photograph vehicles, fences and outdoor furniture that were hit. They help tie damage to this storm.
On the roof (or from a ladder)
Only climb if it is safe, or hire a roofer to document it. Photograph each slope from a distance, then close up with chalk circles around hits and a scale in the frame. Note the shingle brand if you can find it, its age and any discontinued products. On steel roofs, photograph dents with a straightedge and raking light so depth shows.
Siding, windows and outbuildings
Walk each side of the house and every outbuilding. Hail driven by wind often damages one or two elevations far more than the others. Photograph cracked vinyl, chipped paint, dented steel and broken window seals. On farms, document every steel building separately.
Keep a running file
- A folder of photos, labeled by date and location.
- Copies of every letter and email with the carrier.
- Contractor estimates and invoices for temporary repairs.
- Your declarations page and policy.
Why storm history matters here
South Dakota roofs often see more than one hailstorm over their lives. Carriers may argue that some damage came from an earlier storm. Clear dates, collateral damage and photos taken right after the event help separate this storm’s damage from older wear.
Use the roof squares and slope factor calculator to check the carrier’s quantities once you have their estimate.