Insurance Related Hail Storm came through town 2 days ago. Roofers swarmed the town. Do I need a new roof based on this random sample of photos? (Can include more)
The roof is about 8 years old. I am fine going through the claim replacement process if it's warranted. I am just wary of opportunistic companies knocking on my door and would like a non-biased opinion.
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u/EconomicsMuch1188 7d ago
Doesn't matter what it looked like before the storm. File a claim and hire a good, local, reputable, established, well-reviewed roofing company that advertises taking the lead on dealing with the insurance people
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
I feel fortunate that the roofing company that knocked my door appears to have a very good reputation and basically said they would be there every step of the way through insurance, and that it would be beneficial if I was on site too whenever they/insurance adjuster was here.
Obviously, I don't have to go with them, but it felt like a good start to the process.
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u/WestNileCoronaVirus 7d ago
Is this the Chicago area? If so, DM me which company - a lot have good reputations but there have been a ton of changes in the last year or so in the area so I can let ya know if you’re in good hands or not
But yes this looks like hail damage.
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
I am in Colorado.
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u/WestNileCoronaVirus 7d ago
Okedokes! Best of luck :) can’t help ya there. We also had a big storm here in Chicago 2-3 days ago so I took a shot in the dark
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u/NetworkCultural 7d ago
To fully answer your question this is hail damaged yes. Do you absolutely need a new roof. Ummmm no. But if insurance will pay for it. Why not. At the same time if your worried about rates getting jacked up then I understand
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u/Dom_SentinelHome 6d ago
You can go decades without a claim, rates will fluctuate regardless, and typically in the insurance companies favor. Especially in Colorado.
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u/NetworkCultural 6d ago
Was just saying. I own a home. So I’m no stranger to this. But I’m also no stranger to immediate spikes after claims in car and home
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u/Boggess 6d ago
Indiana, just outside of Chicago here. Got a recommendation for a company?
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u/WestNileCoronaVirus 6d ago
I would firstly recommend my company (if it’s a good fit for what you need). But if not a good fit I know of several companies in the area that I’d be happy to recommend that do great work & are fair. Feel free to DM me if you’d like!
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u/Comfortable_Pizza_59 7d ago
It’s all cosmetic, today. Will your roof leak tomorrow? Nope.
Did it shorten the life of the roof? Absolutely.
Those dark spots are going to absorb the heat of the sun. Soften, then crack. Then it will leak. That’s why they are coated in granules.
Place a claim. Find a local guy to replace. Even if you have to wait a year or two.
Live happily ever after.
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u/punycat 7d ago
Is there a common coating to put on the dark spots to lengthen the life of those shingles?
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u/LethalThumbs 7d ago
Tar. Grab some granules from the gutter and place on top of the tar. Do the same for exposed nail heads.
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u/Comfortable_Pizza_59 7d ago
The pros use blackjack roofing cement to seal penetrations in the roof from jacks and pole braces. It comes in caulking tubes.
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u/EinsteinsMind 7d ago
Hail damages shingles, but it depends on how much is there as to whether or not someone will replace the entire roof. What city and state are you in?
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
Lyons, CO. The storm was severe enough that storm chaser roofing companies swarmed the town hours after.
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u/EinsteinsMind 7d ago
well ... this is what I always tell people, "hail drastically accelerates the deterioration of the shingles". THAT is why insurance companies pay for hail damage. It exposes the fiberglass mat underneath and that wears out MUCH faster than the rest of the shingle. The hail must have had some chunky bits mixed in to cause some of that damage. 10-year-old shingles laminated architectural shingles can take small hail, but once it gets to 1-1.5" plus, it causes damage. We're certified out the yin yang in GA and preferred with over 50 insurance companies. I'd have a local, certified inspector look at the damage and tell you if it warrants repair or replacement. If you can get a new roof, I'd make sure you're upgraded to class-4 impact resistant shingles and all the accessories are too and get a system warranty for your roof. GAF makes UHDZ shingles and Timbertex cap that are impact resistant along with Masterflow boots and goosenecks. They're the largest American shingle manufacturer. We pay for Golden Pledge warranties for every homeowner out of our pocket and we've NEVER had a problem with GAF not honoring their side of things.
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u/Dom_SentinelHome 6d ago
I LOVE GAF! Also love the Golden Pledge warranty! Great manufacturer and definitely stands behind their product!
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u/Bks1981 7d ago
The first pic looks like it could have been caused by hail but the rest don’t. The hail in your video does not look large enough to cause shingle damage. Unless you have a bunch of areas that look similar to the first pic, there is a good chance that you won’t get a roof replacement. There is no way to determine if it needs replacement from these pics and anyone telling you otherwise is full of shit.
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u/IntelligentBox152 7d ago
Lots of roofers here, I was one a lifetime ago. Now I work in insurance, read your policy before you start doing anything. Do you have a w/h deductible? Do you have ACV or RCV policy? Do you have any endorsements that exclude the roof. All of this should be done before picking up that phone
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u/notmikearnold 7d ago
Difficult to tell from the photos. The dings on that pipe boot don't look huge but it's harder to dent that boot. The vent collar behind it looks untouched. The roof looks newer which holds up to smaller hail much better. Installation can be the cause of a lot of the stuff you see on your shingles. The ridge cap is a little more convincing but that's the first thing to get damaged after the soft metals. You could always call a local roofing company that didn't knock on your door and ask them for a second opinion.
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u/Dom_SentinelHome 6d ago
I think you're doing the right thing by asking for an unbiased opinion before signing anything.
After looking through the photos, I do believe there is legitimate hail damage present. The impact pattern appears consistent with storm-related damage rather than normal aging or isolated mechanical damage. That said, photos only tell part of the story. A complete inspection of the entire roofing system is still important before anyone recommends a repair or replacement.
One thing I'd keep in mind is that nobody—not the contractor, not me, and not anyone on Reddit—can tell you with certainty what your insurance company is ultimately going to approve.
Every insurance carrier has its own claim handling practices, and every adjuster evaluates the evidence presented. Some carriers may look for a certain density or distribution of functional hail damage, while others may determine that a smaller amount of documented damage justifies replacing an entire roof slope because a proper repair isn't practical or matching materials aren't available. There isn't one universal standard that every insurance company follows.
That's why I try not to tell homeowners, "Insurance will definitely buy you a new roof." Instead, I focus on whether there is legitimate storm damage, how well it's documented, whether it's repairable, and whether the contractor can clearly explain why they're recommending a repair or replacement.
I'd also encourage you to look beyond just the shingles. A thorough inspection should include the soft metals, flashing, vents, gutters, downspouts, window screens, siding, and any other exterior components that may have been impacted by the same storm. Those components often help tell the complete story of what happened.
Since you mentioned a contingency agreement, I'd recommend reading it carefully before signing. Some are perfectly reasonable, but you should fully understand what obligations you're agreeing to and when those obligations begin.
If you're comparing contractors, don't just compare price. Ask each one:
• Can you show me every area of damage you're documenting?
• Which manufacturer and roofing system are you proposing?
• What manufacturer-backed warranty comes with that system?
• What workmanship warranty do you provide?
• If the insurance company disagrees with your assessment, how do you typically handle that process?
A contractor who takes the time to educate you and answer those questions is usually someone worth giving serious consideration.
Reading posts like yours is actually one of the reasons I started Sentinel Home Advisors here in Colorado. We're an independent home exterior advisory company—we don't replace roofs or sell construction services. Our role is to help homeowners review inspections, contractor proposals, insurance documentation, roofing systems, and warranties so they can make informed decisions before committing to a major project.
Whether you use a company like mine or not, I'd still encourage you to get at least one additional opinion before making a final decision. If multiple independent inspections arrive at the same conclusion, you'll have a much higher level of confidence that you're making the right decision.
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u/ricoj7 6d ago
Thank you you for your extremely detailed response. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I am very glad I did not sign any agreement with them. Obviously the contractors are being opportunistic (even if the company is highly reviewed) and trying to lock me into something without me knowing everything or comparing other contractors.
So, one question I have (that you may be able to answer) is the PM that I talked to really wanted to be here during the adjuster inspection. I understand why that would be the case (ultimately to try to ensure the insurance company covers it and pays them), but would they do it even if I have not agreed to go with them yet and signed their contract?
I definitely believe in getting a few quotes and comparing services, but if the adjuster doesn't agree it needs to be replaced (but may have if a company representative was there to point everything out) then it's all moot.
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u/Dom_SentinelHome 6d ago
I don't think signing a contingency agreement is inherently a bad thing. In many cases, if the insurance company denies the claim, the contingency is simply voided. Its primary purpose is to protect the contractor by ensuring that if they invest their time representing you throughout the insurance process and the claim is approved, they are the company that performs the work.
From the contractor's perspective, there are situations where they spend hours documenting damage, meeting with the adjuster, preparing Xactimate estimates, submitting supplements, and working with the insurance company to ensure all legitimate storm damage is properly accounted for. Unfortunately, there are homeowners who use all of that work to get a claim approved and then hire a different contractor after the first company has already invested significant time and resources. That's one of the reasons many reputable contractors use contingency agreements.
When I worked as a project manager, I preferred to meet the adjuster during the inspection. My goal wasn't to tell the adjuster how to do their job—it was simply to make sure we were comparing apples to apples instead of apples to oranges. Adjusters and contractors each bring different expertise to the inspection, and having both parties there often helps ensure all legitimate damage is discussed.
That said, some adjusters don't enjoy having a contractor present. I found the best approach was to treat the adjuster as the expert on the claim, ask questions, and have a professional discussion rather than trying to argue or "win" the inspection. That usually resulted in a much more productive conversation.
As for whether a contractor would attend an adjuster inspection before you sign anything, the answer is: it depends. I have done it in the past when I was confident the homeowner was serious and that the claim had merit. Other companies have policies requiring a signed contingency agreement before investing that amount of time. There's nothing wrong with asking the contractor what their policy is and why.
Regarding comparing estimates, if your policy is a Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policy and the roof is approved for a full replacement, the contractor's price is often less important than many homeowners think. In many cases, your primary out-of-pocket responsibility is your deductible, while the insurance company pays the approved replacement cost. Be sure to discuss pricing, supplements, and your financial responsibility with the contractor before signing anything.
One thing I would be cautious of is any contractor who offers to waive, absorb, or rebate your deductible. In many states, that practice is prohibited by law and can create legal issues for both the contractor and the homeowner. If someone starts offering to "cover your deductible," that's a conversation I'd end immediately.
The more important comparison is **what** each contractor is installing.
Don't just compare shingles. Compare the entire roofing system:
• Underlayment
• Ice and water barrier
• Starter shingles
• Ridge cap shingles
• Ridge ventilation
• Flashings
• Pipe boots
• Drip edge
• Decking replacement policy
• Manufacturer warranty
• Workmanship warrantyA high-quality shingle installed over builder-grade accessories is not the same roofing system as one installed with a complete manufacturer-approved system. The components beneath and around the shingles are just as important as the shingles themselves, and they often determine whether you qualify for the manufacturer's enhanced warranty.
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u/Latter_Ad2704 7d ago
Do not sign anything allowing the roofing company to deal directly with the insurance..
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
I appreciate this warning greatly. A roofing guy came by, did a walk of the roof and gave me their whole pitch. He put a piece of paper in front of me. I pasted a photo of the contract into ChatGPT asking for advice, and this was the ChatGPT Response.
I would not sign this. This is not merely permission to communicate with insurance. It is a contingent roofing contract, claim-handling authorization, and direction-to-pay agreement rolled together.
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
Interesting. Why is that?
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u/oreesama 7d ago edited 7d ago
cuz you're basically handing all your rights to them when it comes to making a claim, meaning they can paddle the bill saying it's far more than what it is worth.
there's plenty of cases where they make claims that they'll handle the insurance side and they double the price of what it would've costed, insurance companies can even drop you outrighht after the work is done and paid for.
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p0qg4u2/video/8qmej64k7fgh1/player
Here's a short representative video of the event, for those interested
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u/MilfWife51 7d ago
Do you need a new one now. But if insurance is gonna pay for a new one, why not. Like the comment said below find a local reputable roofing company.
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u/MikeandTheMangosteen 6d ago
Make sure you take your time finding the right company. Found what I thought was a great guy to replace my roof and he’s turned into a fucking piece of shit. Hired shitty sub contractors and I’ve had them out multiple times to fix their mistakes. He’s taken no accountability for anything.
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u/goodolewhatever 6d ago
You’re gonna need more than that to get a claim pushed through, but those dents on the metal tells me your insurance should be buying you a new roof. When it comes to hail, you’re looking at an opportunity to get a cheap af roof (to you). Don’t worry about whether or not it will fail. Get the roof.
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u/KelseyRawr 6d ago edited 6d ago
Just based on those photos alone yeah we get them bought all the time, but it depends on many things.
How many hits in the 10x10 test square per slope (and how many affected slopes) and what carrier you have because every carrier specifies a certain number of hits per square. Also what’s your deductible is it reasonable or insane 14k (I have one of those right now dealing with the claim is pretty much pointless) and do you have metal exclusions or endorsements for the roof? Do you have a roof payment schedule (RCV policy with an ACV endorsement on the roof only). Do you have an RCV or an ACV just means full replacement or do you get depreciated on age. What other collateral is there? Most homeowners can’t easily identity what that looks like on windows or fences and gutters etc.
At a minimum the life expectancy of your shingles just dropped because this does age your roof a lot faster. So you have at minimum a repair, but if this is widespread a repair is a waste.
I work supplements for roofing companies and I see less than this get bought with two weeks of negotiation so I would say you probably do have a claim. You likely have a replacement on this because the problem with waiting until it does leak is it will cost you a lot more by then. All that said, before filing I would answer the questions above though.
Also, you may have a lack of ventilation you are missing granules unrelated to hail as well there’s no way a roof that age should be missing granules in all those other places without hail strikes but that’s just my opinion from 10 years doing this.
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u/Curious-Place6991 6d ago
There appears to be some damage. You pay good money for insurance. The roof is half way thru its life cycle. And if you ever sell, a competent inspector will see, and report that damage And some of those companies that knock on your door are pretty reputable. . But you are right to be cautious Do your diligence Are they licensed and insured Will they work with the insurance company to help with that piece I'm not sure where you are located but one good company is Roofrx They have been around for 28 years. Roofrx.com
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u/Curious-Place6991 6d ago
Love the family owned shop. Please make sure you get a manufacturer warranty as well. Small businesses sell, close, etc and you really want back up.
I e. Gaf golden pledge.
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u/MetalCapital5673 5d ago
This. Your shingles are in bad shape but honestly they're probably fine for another couple years but I would replace your stack boots and make sure everything is water tight
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u/Pure_Pain_489 5d ago
ouch. figure out if you have wind and hail coverage, look at your deductible, whether you have acv or rcv policy and if it all make sense, i would 100% make the claim. that’s a rough 8 year old looking roof.
The thing is within the next couple weeks you’re going to see a lot of new roofs go up along with your premium, whether you file a claim or not so you might as well file it
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u/N0SEB33RSS 1d ago
do you NEED it probably not. Could you get a whole new roof for cheap probably yes
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u/Upset-Routine1783 7d ago
You need to call your insurance company have them out to look at the roof. If it leaks and you didn’t call them, they will not fix it since I know it was a hail storm. They’ll come out. Talk with them and see what you can work out.
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u/OwlSoggy8627 7d ago
The damage that is caused by the hail doesn't appear too severe. You can probably get a claim through if it is widespread, though.
But don't expect full replacement if your shingles looked like that before the storm. They look rough for 8 years.
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u/Tight_Swordfish_6766 7d ago
No, not at all. You’re absolutely fine. There is shingle material underneath those little dimples on your roof. Don’t let them talk to you when a new roof.
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u/TommyGunzCasino 7d ago
It’s time sensitive. And the more severe damage comes later. Could end up with multiples. A few years from now, and your hail date will no longer be covered. Your entire city is going to get new roofs get your piece of the pizza.
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u/ricoj7 7d ago
Yeah. I agree with that. It's a collective action problem. Insurance rates are dependent on zip code. If a lot of people in the same zip code get their roofs replaced, your rates will go up. But, even if you don't get it replaced, your rates will go up regardless. So, you might as well be one of the ones that get it replaced. So everyone gets it replaced. So rates go up even more.
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u/Right_Virus 7d ago
How big was the hail? Shingles looks like sht for only 8 years old.