Insurance Glossary

What Is Hail Damage to Roofs?

Last Updated: January 2025 | Category: Insurance Glossary

← Back to Roof Insurance Glossary

Hail Damage Definition

Hail damage is impact damage to roofing materials caused by hailstones striking the roof surface. Hail creates dents, bruises, cracks, and granule loss on asphalt shingles, compromising the roof’s protective function and reducing its expected lifespan. Even hail that appears minor can cause functional damage requiring replacement.

In simple terms: Hail damage is what happens when ice balls fall from the sky and beat up your roof—sometimes visibly, sometimes not.

Table of Contents

How Hail Damages Roofs

Hailstones create damage through high-velocity impact. When hail falls from storm clouds—often from heights of 20,000+ feet—it strikes roofing materials with significant force.

The Physics of Hail Impact

Damage severity depends on several factors:

  • Hail size: Larger hailstones (1+ inch diameter) cause more damage than smaller ones
  • Terminal velocity: Hail accelerates as it falls; larger stones fall faster
  • Wind speed: Strong winds increase impact force by adding horizontal velocity
  • Impact angle: Wind-driven hail hits at angles, creating directional damage patterns
  • Roof material: Asphalt shingles, metal, tile, and wood shake respond differently to impact
  • Roof age: Older, more brittle shingles sustain more damage than newer ones
  • Temperature: Cold shingles are more brittle; warm shingles absorb impact better

What Happens During Impact

When a hailstone strikes an asphalt shingle:

  1. Surface displacement: The impact creates a crater or indentation
  2. Granule loss: Protective granules are knocked loose, exposing the asphalt layer
  3. Mat compression: The fiberglass mat underneath compresses or bruises
  4. Potential cracking: Severe impacts can crack or fracture the shingle
  5. Accelerated aging: UV exposure on exposed asphalt accelerates deterioration

This damage may not cause immediate leaks, but it compromises the roof’s protective function and shortens its lifespan significantly.

Types of Hail Damage on Asphalt Shingle Roofs

1. Impact Craters (Dents)

Appearance: Circular depressions or indentations in the shingle surface

Characteristics:

  • Random distribution across affected roof facets
  • Crater diameter roughly matches hailstone size
  • May or may not show granule loss in crater center
  • Edges of crater may show compression of shingle mat

Significance: Clear evidence of hail impact. Craters indicate the force and size of hailstones.

2. Granule Loss

Appearance: Areas where protective mineral granules have been knocked off, exposing the black asphalt layer beneath

Characteristics:

  • Black spots or circles where asphalt shows through
  • Concentrated in impact areas
  • Different from normal aging granule loss (which is uniform)
  • May appear shiny where asphalt is freshly exposed

Significance: Granule loss exposes asphalt to UV rays, dramatically accelerating aging. Even if not leaking now, these areas will deteriorate rapidly.

3. Shingle Bruising

Appearance: Areas where the shingle mat has been compressed or damaged without breaking through the surface

Characteristics:

  • May feel soft or spongy when pressed
  • Surface may look intact but underlying mat is damaged
  • Can be difficult to see from ground level
  • Often requires close inspection to detect

Significance: Insurance adjusters sometimes miss bruising, calling it “insufficient damage.” Professional documentation proves bruising exists and affects roof function.

4. Fractured or Cracked Shingles

Appearance: Visible cracks or breaks in shingles running from impact points

Characteristics:

  • Cracks may radiate from impact craters
  • More common on older, more brittle shingles
  • Can extend through entire shingle thickness
  • May allow water infiltration immediately

Significance: Severe damage requiring immediate attention. Clear evidence for insurance claims.

5. Mat Exposure

Appearance: Impact has torn through the asphalt layer, exposing the fiberglass mat beneath

Characteristics:

  • White or light-colored fiberglass visible
  • Complete penetration of protective layers
  • Immediate vulnerability to water infiltration
  • Typically from large hail (2+ inches)

Significance: Severe damage. Insurance companies rarely dispute mat exposure as it’s undeniably functional damage.

How to Identify Hail Damage on Your Colorado Springs Roof

What You Can See From the Ground

Check these areas for visible hail damage indicators:

  • Gutters and downspouts: Dents and dings in metal components
  • Roof vents: Damaged turbine vents, plumbing boots, or exhaust caps
  • Fascia and soffits: Impact marks on wood or vinyl
  • Siding: Dents, cracks, or chips in vinyl or wood siding
  • Window screens: Tears or punctures
  • Air conditioning units: Dents on top panels or fins
  • Mailbox and outdoor fixtures: Visible impact damage

Key principle: If you see hail damage on these accessible items, your roof likely has damage too—even if you can’t see it from the ground.

What Requires Roof-Level Inspection

Most hail damage isn’t visible from ground level. Professional roof-level inspection is necessary to identify:

  • Impact craters on shingle surfaces
  • Granule loss patterns
  • Shingle bruising and mat compression
  • Damage density across different roof facets
  • Hail hits on ridge caps and hip shingles
  • Damage to flashing and penetrations

Important: Don’t attempt to inspect your own roof unless you have proper safety equipment and experience. Roof-level inspections are dangerous and best left to professionals.

Damage Patterns That Indicate Hail vs. Other Causes

Hail damage characteristics:

  • Random distribution: Impacts scattered across roof surfaces (not uniform)
  • Multiple roof facets affected: Damage on different slopes (not isolated to one area)
  • Consistent with storm direction: Heavier damage on facets facing storm approach
  • Fresh granule loss: Newly exposed asphalt (shiny black, not weathered gray)
  • Collateral damage present: Gutters, vents, and other components also damaged

NOT hail damage:

  • Uniform granule loss: Even wear across entire roof (normal aging)
  • Localized damage: Only one small area damaged (likely mechanical damage)
  • Linear patterns: Damage in straight lines (foot traffic or equipment)
  • No collateral damage: Only roof affected, nothing else (suspicious for hail)

Hail Damage in Colorado Springs: What Makes It Unique

Colorado Springs sits in “Hail Alley”—a region along the Front Range that experiences some of the most frequent and severe hailstorms in the United States.

Why Colorado Springs Gets Severe Hail

  • Geography: Mountains to the west create conditions for severe thunderstorm development
  • Elevation: Higher altitude means hailstones have less distance to melt during descent
  • Storm season: May through September brings frequent hail-producing storms
  • Palmer Divide effect: Elevated terrain north of Colorado Springs intensifies storms

Typical Colorado Springs Hail Events

Hail size ranges:

  • Pea-sized (1/4 inch): Minimal damage to newer roofs
  • Dime-sized (3/4 inch): Moderate damage potential
  • Quarter-sized (1 inch): Likely roof damage on most shingles
  • Golf ball-sized (1.75 inches): Severe damage, high claim likelihood
  • Tennis ball-sized (2.5+ inches): Catastrophic damage, immediate replacement needed

Colorado Springs experiences all these sizes, with 1-2 inch hail occurring multiple times per year in affected neighborhoods.

Common Colorado Springs Hail Corridors

Certain areas experience more frequent hail events:

  • North Colorado Springs (Briargate, Northgate): Proximity to Palmer Divide increases storm severity
  • East Colorado Springs: Open terrain allows storms to intensify
  • Powers Corridor: Frequent hail events along I-25 east side
  • Monument and Black Forest: Elevated areas see larger hail

However, hail can strike anywhere in El Paso County. Storm tracks vary, and no neighborhood is immune.

What Insurance Covers for Hail Damage

Standard Homeowner Policy Coverage

Most Colorado Springs homeowner insurance policies cover hail damage as a “covered peril.” This means if hail damages your roof, your policy should pay for repairs or replacement.

Typical coverage includes:

  • Roof replacement or repair: Full or partial replacement depending on damage extent
  • Underlayment and decking: If damaged by hail or discovered during replacement
  • Flashing and components: Metal work damaged by hail impacts
  • Gutters and downspouts: Often covered as part of dwelling coverage
  • Vents and penetrations: Damaged roof components
  • Code upgrades: If your policy includes code upgrade coverage

Coverage Limitations and Exclusions

What may NOT be covered:

  • Cosmetic damage only: Some policies exclude “cosmetic” damage (though this is often debatable)
  • Pre-existing damage: Damage that existed before the hail event
  • Wear and tear: Normal aging unrelated to hail
  • Delayed claims: Claims filed beyond policy deadlines (typically 1-2 years from storm date)
  • Insufficient damage: Minor impacts that don’t meet replacement threshold

Special Considerations for Older Roofs

Some Colorado Springs homeowner policies have special provisions for older roofs:

  • Age-based limitations: Roofs over 15-20 years may have ACV-only coverage (no recoverable depreciation)
  • Matching limitations: Replacement may not match surrounding shingles if original no longer available
  • Mandatory inspections: Some carriers require roof inspections before renewing policies on older roofs

Always review your declarations page to understand your specific coverage before filing a claim.

How to Document Hail Damage for Insurance Claims

Proper documentation is critical for claim approval. Here’s what insurance companies need to see:

1. Storm Date Verification

Establish when the hail event occurred:

  • Weather service hail reports for your zip code
  • News reports of hailstorms in your area
  • Photos or videos you took during the storm
  • Neighbor reports (many claims in same timeframe supports storm event)

2. Professional Photography

Required photos:

  • Wide shots: Overall roof condition showing affected areas
  • Close-ups of impact craters: With measurement reference (coin, marker, etc.)
  • Granule loss areas: Showing exposed asphalt
  • Multiple roof facets: Demonstrating damage isn’t isolated
  • Collateral damage: Gutters, vents, siding, etc.
  • Directional patterns: Showing damage consistent with storm direction

3. Measurement and Density Documentation

Insurance companies want to know:

  • Number of impacts per test square: Typically measured in 10×10 foot sections
  • Impact crater size: Measured in inches/diameter
  • Percentage of roof affected: How much of total roof shows damage
  • Damage density variation: Different facets may show different damage levels

4. Professional Inspection Report

A comprehensive report should include:

  • Date of inspection and date of storm
  • Inspector credentials and experience
  • Detailed findings by roof facet
  • Photographs with annotations
  • Technical analysis of functional impact
  • Recommendation (repair vs. replacement)

5. Collateral Damage Evidence

Document damage to everything hail struck:

  • Metal gutters and downspouts (denting)
  • Roof vents and caps (impact damage)
  • Vinyl siding (cracks, holes)
  • Wood trim (gouges, chips)
  • HVAC equipment (dented panels)
  • Satellite dishes or antennas (damage)

Collateral damage proves storm severity and supports roof damage claims.

Why Hail Damage Claims Get Denied in Colorado Springs

Denial Reason #1: “Cosmetic Damage Only”

The claim: “The hail damage is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect roof function.”

Why it’s often wrong: Granule loss and shingle bruising—while appearing “cosmetic”—compromise roof lifespan and performance. UV exposure on exposed asphalt accelerates deterioration.

How to challenge: Document functional impact. Show how damage reduces expected lifespan, compromises waterproofing, or violates manufacturer warranties. Reference policy language—many policies don’t actually exclude cosmetic damage.

Denial Reason #2: “Insufficient Damage Density”

The claim: “Not enough hail hits to warrant replacement.”

Carrier thresholds vary:

  • Some carriers require 8-10 hits per 100 square feet
  • Others use subjective “reasonable person” standards
  • Thresholds aren’t always disclosed in policies

How to challenge: Comprehensive documentation showing damage across multiple facets. Professional analysis of cumulative impact on roof performance. Challenge arbitrary thresholds not specified in policy language.

Denial Reason #3: “Pre-Existing Damage”

The claim: “This damage existed before the hailstorm.”

How to challenge:

  • Fresh granule loss (shiny black asphalt, not weathered)
  • Storm date correlation with damage patterns
  • No prior insurance claims or repairs
  • Professional analysis distinguishing hail damage from aging

Denial Reason #4: “Normal Wear and Tear”