How to File a Roof Insurance Claim After a Hail Storm in Minnesota
If your house got hit by hail, you’re probably wondering whether the damage is bad enough to file an insurance claim and how the whole process works. Filing a roof insurance claim isn’t as complicated as it sounds, but there are a few steps that make a real difference in how your claim turns out.
Step 1: Don’t Wait Too Long
Most homeowners insurance policies have a window for filing storm damage claims; typically one to two years from the date of the storm, but some policies are shorter. But you don’t want to wait that long, waiting gives the damage time to get worse. A small crack in a shingle that lets in moisture during a Minnesota winter can turn into a much bigger problem by spring. Document the damage as soon as it’s safe to do so after the storm.
Step 2: Get a Professional Inspection Before You Call Your Insurance Company
This is the step most homeowners skip and it’s the most important one. Before you call your insurer, have a roofing contractor inspect the damage and document it thoroughly. Here’s why it matters: insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Having an independent inspection with photos and a written damage assessment gives you documentation to back up your claim and ensures nothing gets missed.
At Galvin Home Renovations we provide free storm damage inspections for homeowners throughout the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin. We’ll give you an honest assessment of what the storm did and what it’s going to take to fix it.
Step 3: Document Everything Yourself
Take photos of your roof, gutters, siding, and any other exterior damage as soon as possible after the storm. Note the date and time the storm hit. If there are news reports or weather service records of the hail event in your area, save those too. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim.
Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company and File the Claim
Once you have your inspection report and photos in hand, call your insurance company to open a claim. They’ll assign an adjuster who will schedule a visit to assess the damage. Having your contractor’s inspection report ready when the adjuster arrives is helpful, it gives them a baseline to work from and reduces the chance that damage gets overlooked.
Step 5: Meet the Adjuster With Your Contractor Present
If possible, have your roofing contractor present when the insurance adjuster comes out. A good contractor knows what hail damage looks like and can point out things an adjuster might miss. This isn’t about being adversarial with your insurance company, it’s just making sure the full scope of damage gets documented accurately.
Step 6: Review the Settlement Offer Carefully
Once the adjuster completes their assessment, your insurance company will send a settlement offer. Review it carefully against your contractor’s estimate. If there’s a significant gap between what the insurer is offering and what the repair actually costs, you have the right to dispute it. Your contractor can help you understand whether the offer is reasonable.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on a Roof
One reason homeowners often underestimate hail damage is that it’s not always obvious from the ground. On asphalt shingles, hail typically leaves circular impact marks and knocks off the granules that protect the shingle. Those granules end up in your gutters. On metal components like flashing and vents, you’ll see dents. On gutters and downspouts, look for dings and dents along the length of the metal.
If your neighbors are filing claims after a storm, there’s a good chance your roof took similar damage even if you can’t see it clearly. A professional inspection is the only way to know for sure.
How Long Does the Process Take?
From the initial inspection to having a check in hand typically takes four to eight weeks depending on your insurance company and how backed up contractors are after a major storm event. After a widespread hail event in the Twin Cities, demand for roofing contractors spikes fast. Getting your inspection done quickly and your claim filed early puts you ahead of the backlog.
Galvin Home Renovations has helped hundreds of Twin Cities homeowners navigate the insurance claim process after storm damage. We offer free inspections and can work directly with your adjuster to make sure your claim reflects the full scope of the damage. Call us at (612) 518-9876 or request a free estimate online.