What a storm damage inspection should cover
Inspected slope by slope
Every slope, plus the vents, flashing and gutters, should be checked for hail strikes and wind-lifted tabs, because storm damage is rarely confined to the side you can see from the street.
A plain answer on what you have
Storm damage, ordinary wear, or nothing to worry about. Knowing which one it is comes before any decision about a claim.
Repair or replacement, quoted in writing
Whether the damage needs a repair or a new roof, ask for the scope and the price in writing before any work is scheduled.
Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
Lucas Construction is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, based in Wentzville.
Hail and wind in St. Charles County
Spring fronts come across the county fast, and a ten-minute hail cell can bruise every south- and west-facing slope from Wentzville to St. Charles. Wind does its damage more quietly: it breaks the seal strip under the shingle tabs so the roof looks fine from the street and leaks in the next heavy rain.
If the damage is limited to a few tabs, it is usually a roof repair; if hail has bruised every slope, it is usually a roof replacement. Either way, ask for the scope in writing first.
How a storm claim usually goes
- After the storm, note what you can see and whether water is coming in
- An inspection of every slope, plus vents, flashing and gutters
- A plain-English read on whether it is storm damage, ordinary wear, or nothing to worry about
- If you file a claim, your insurer decides what the policy covers
- A written scope and price for the repair or replacement before any work is scheduled
Common questions
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
On asphalt shingles, hail leaves dark, soft spots where the granules have been knocked loose, sometimes with a fracture in the mat underneath. Soft metals show it first: dented vents, gutters and downspouts are a good sign the shingles took hits too. It is hard to judge from the ground, which is why the roof itself is inspected.
Does homeowners insurance cover roof replacement?
It depends on your policy. Most homeowners policies cover sudden damage from a covered event such as hail or wind, and do not cover wear and tear or a roof that has simply reached the end of its life. Some policies pay the depreciated value of an older roof rather than the full replacement cost. Your policy and your insurer decide what is covered and what your deductible is.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
Knowing what is actually on the roof first means you know what you would be claiming. If there is no real damage, you have not opened a claim for nothing. Either way, it is your decision and your policy.
How do I know if it is a repair or a replacement?
Scattered damage to a few tabs or one slope is usually a repair. Hail that has bruised every exposed slope, or a roof near the end of its life, usually points to replacement. Either way, ask for the scope and price in writing; our roof repair and roof replacement pages explain both.
Is the whole roof at the end of its life?
A storm claim sometimes turns into a replacement. See what a roof replacement involves.