Hail damage is covered under a standard home insurance policy. It pays to repair your home's structure and replace your personal belongings, and reimburses you for additional living expenses if you're displaced from your home.
Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
Updated: March 19, 2026
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Key Takeaways
A standard home insurance policy covers hail damage under dwelling coverage, other structures coverage and personal property coverage.
Policies in hail-prone states may carry a separate wind/hail deductible calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, typically 1% to 5%, rather than a flat dollar amount.
Document hail damage immediately after the storm with photos, get an independent contractor estimate before contacting your insurer and file your claim within the window your policy specifies.
Does Home Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
A Hailstorm Cracks Your Roof and Dents Your Siding (Dwelling Coverage)
Dwelling coverage pays to repair or replace your home's roof, siding, gutters and windows after hail damage. The payout depends on whether your policy uses replacement cost value (RCV) or actual cash value (ACV).
Hail Breaks a Window and Ruins Furniture Inside (Personal Property Coverage)
If hail shatters a window and water or debris damages your belongings, personal property coverage pays to repair or replace items like furniture, electronics and clothing. Coverage applies whether the belongings are inside your home or on a covered porch or patio.
Severe Hail Damage Forces You Out of Your Home (Additional Living Expenses Coverage)
If hail damage makes your home temporarily unsafe to live in, additional living expenses (ALE) coverage pays for hotel stays, meals and other costs while repairs are completed. ALE coverage applies only while the home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss.
What Hail Damage Isn't Covered by Home Insurance?
Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover hail damage to your vehicle, cosmetic-only damage excluded by your policy, pre-existing damage or losses caused by neglected maintenance.
Vehicle Damage From Hail
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover hail damage to your car, truck or motorcycle. Comprehensive auto insurance covers vehicle hail damage.
Cosmetic Damage Excluded by Your Policy
Some insurers add a cosmetic damage exclusion that denies claims when hail dents siding or roof materials without affecting their function. The definition of cosmetic versus functional damage varies by insurer.
Pre-Existing Hail Damage
If your roof or siding had unrepaired hail damage before you bought your policy, your insurer won't pay to fix it. The damage must occur during your active policy period.
Damage From Deferred Maintenance
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover a roof that leaks after a hailstorm because it was already deteriorating from age or neglect. Insurers distinguish between storm damage and wear-and-tear.
Flood Damage That Accompanies a Hailstorm
If a hailstorm brings heavy rain that causes flooding inside your home, the flood damage isn't covered by homeowners insurance. You need a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer.
*Covered scenarios apply only if your policy includes the relevant coverage types. Standard homeowners policies vary; check your declarations page.
How Wind and Hail Deductibles Affect Your Payout
In hail-prone states, many homeowners insurance policies include a separate wind/hail deductible that works differently from your standard deductible. Instead of a flat dollar amount, like $1,000, a wind/hail deductible is calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit, typically ranging from 1% to 5%. On a home insured for $300,000, a 2% wind/hail deductible means you pay $6,000 out of pocket before your insurer covers anything.
Hail-prone states like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado commonly include wind/hail deductibles even outside hurricane season. If you live in one of these states, review your declarations page carefully to confirm whether a percentage-based deductible applies and how it is triggered.
How to File a Hail Damage Claim
Filing a hail damage claim follows the same process as any property damage claim, but documentation timing matters more because hail evidence fades quickly.
- 1Document the Damage Immediately After the Storm
Photograph all visible hail damage to your roof, siding, windows, gutters and any affected personal property. Include close-ups and wide shots. Note the date, time and severity of the storm.
- 2Get an Independent Inspection From a Licensed Contractor
Hire a roofing contractor or general contractor to assess the damage before you contact your insurer. An independent estimate gives you a baseline to compare against the adjuster's assessment.
- 3Contact Your Insurance Company to Open a Claim
Call your insurer's claims line or file online. State Farm, Allstate and most major insurers let you start a claim through their app or website. Provide your policy number, storm date and photos.
- 4Meet With the Insurance Adjuster
Your insurer will send a claims adjuster to inspect the damage in person. Walk the property with the adjuster and share your contractor's estimate. Point out every area of damage, including less obvious spots like gutters and window seals.
- 5Review the Settlement Offer and Negotiate if Needed
Compare the adjuster's payout estimate to your contractor's assessment. If the numbers don't match, you can request a re-inspection, hire a public adjuster or file a formal dispute with your insurer.
- 6Complete Repairs and Submit Final Documentation
Once you accept the settlement, hire a licensed contractor to complete repairs. Your insurer may issue a partial payment upfront and release the remaining balance after you submit proof that repairs are finished.
Hail Damage Coverage: Bottom Line
Standard homeowners insurance covers hail damage to your roof, siding, windows and personal belongings under dwelling and personal property coverage. If your policy carries a wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket costs could be far higher than a flat deductible would produce, particularly on high-value homes in hail-prone states like Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado.
To know exactly what you're protected against, review your declarations page and ask your insurer whether a percentage-based wind/hail deductible or cosmetic damage exclusion applies to your policy.
Is Hail Covered in Home Insurance: FAQ
Understand how hail is covered in home insurance through MoneyGeek's frequently asked questions.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to my roof?
Yes, dwelling coverage on a standard HO-3 policy pays to repair or replace your roof after hail damage. The payout depends on whether your policy uses replacement cost value (RCV), which pays current construction costs, or actual cash value (ACV), which deducts for depreciation. An RCV policy on a 15-year-old roof pays for a new roof at today's prices. An ACV policy pays what the roof was worth after 15 years of wear. Check your declarations page to confirm which valuation method your policy uses.
How does a wind/hail deductible work?
A wind/hail deductible is a percentage of your dwelling coverage limit (typically 1% to 5%) instead of a flat dollar amount. On a $300,000 dwelling limit with a 2% wind/hail deductible, you'd pay $6,000 out of pocket before insurance covers the rest.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to my car?
No. Homeowners insurance covers property on your premises, not vehicles. Comprehensive auto insurance covers hail damage to your car.
Will filing a hail damage claim raise my premium?
It can. Filing a claim may trigger a rate increase at your next renewal, and the claim stays on your CLUE report for up to seven years. If repair costs are close to your deductible, paying out of pocket may save you money long term.
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?
Most policies require you to file within 30 to 60 days of discovering the damage, though deadlines vary by insurer and state. Document and report hail damage as soon as possible to avoid disputes over the cause.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.