Hailstorms can strike without warning, and even a brief storm can leave behind roof damage that shortens the life of your home’s roofing system.
Many homeowners struggle to understand how much hail damage to replace a roof and when it makes sense to contact insurance.
Because hail damage isn’t always obvious from the ground, knowing what qualifies for repairs or a full hail roof replacement is essential.
We connected with an Atlanta roofing contractor to become more familiar with what insurers look for and how damage is evaluated.
What Kind of Hail Causes Enough Damage for Replacement?
Insurance companies typically look at the size of the hail, not just the number of hits.
Hail needs to be around 1 inch or larger to cause significant bruising or cracking to asphalt shingles. Smaller hail can still wear down the roof over time, but it usually doesn’t justify a replacement on its own.
When hail reaches the size of a quarter or more, it can compromise the shingle’s protective granules, create soft spots, and expose the roof to leaks.
This level of impact is what often leads to hail damage, roof repairs or full replacement approvals.
How Many Hail Hits Are Required?
Homeowners often ask, How many hail hits to replace a roof? There isn’t a universal number. Instead, adjusters look for consistent, measurable damage across multiple sections of the roof.
If several shingles show bruising, granule loss, dents, or cracks, the structural integrity of the roof has likely been compromised.
Even if only part of the roof is damaged, insurance may approve replacing larger sections to maintain uniform performance and roofing materials.
What Hail Damage Looks Like
Obvious damage includes:
Dents or dimples on shingles
Soft bruised areas where granules are missing
Cracked shingles
Exposed fibreglass mats
Impact marks on vents, gutters, and flashing
Many times, roof damage isn’t visible from a distance. If you find dents on gutters, downspouts, window screens, painted trim, or outdoor equipment, it’s a strong sign your roof may have taken a hit as well.
How Much Hail Damage for Insurance to Replace a Roof?
Insurance companies look for damage that affects the roof’s ability to protect your home. When the adjuster confirms widespread or functional damage caused by hail, they may approve a hail damage roof repair or a complete roof replacement.
Insurance approvals depend on:
Roof age
Type of roofing material
Severity of impacts
Your specific policy (ACV vs. RCV)
Whether the adjuster verifies storm-related damage
With an RCV policy, you receive the amount needed to restore the roof to its previous condition. With an ACV policy, only the depreciated value is covered, meaning you pay more out of pocket.
When Roof Repair Isn’t Enough
Some hailstorms create damage so severe that simple patching won’t restore the roof. A full hail roof replacement is typically recommended when:
Multiple shingles show bruising or cracking
Roof layers have been penetrated
There is water infiltration
Damage affects large sections of the surface
In these cases, repairing only a few areas may leave the roof vulnerable to future leaks.
Why You Should Act Quickly After a Hailstorm
Insurance companies often give homeowners about one year from the date of the storm to file a claim.
Waiting too long can cause issues with approval, especially since insurers use hail maps to verify storm dates. Filing promptly ensures the damage is documented while it’s fresh.
Final Thoughts
The amount of hail damage needed to replace a roof depends on the size of the hail, the extent of impacts, and the findings of your insurance adjuster.
When hail is large enough to dent shingles, remove granules, or cause cracking, the structural reliability of the roof is compromised, and a replacement may be necessary to protect your home.
