Hailstorms can strike quickly and leave behind thousands of dollars in property damage — but do you know how hail actually develops, and what you should watch out for when it comes to protecting your home?

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🌩️ How Does Hail Form?

Hailstones form high in the atmosphere during strong thunderstorms. Rising air currents, called updrafts, lift water droplets high into the storm cloud where temperatures are below freezing. As these droplets freeze, the updraft can push them back up multiple times, adding layer upon layer of ice before the stones become too heavy and fall to the ground.

The size of the hailstones depends largely on the barometric pressure and the strength of the updraft. The longer a hailstone gets pushed around in the storm, the larger it grows.

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📏 How Hail Affects Your Property

When a hailstorm hits, it often leaves a clear, defined swath that can be miles long but very localized — meaning one part of a house can be damaged while another side remains untouched. This is because hailstorms have well-defined perimeters and hail can fall unevenly.

Insurance policies typically provide coverage for accidental direct physical damage, which includes damage from hail. Commonly affected areas include:

• Roofs
• Gutters and downspouts
• Windows and siding
• Mailboxes, fences, decks, and AC units

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🏠 Roofing Materials and Hail Damage

Not all roofing materials hold up the same way under a hailstorm. Asphalt shingles, for example, are especially prone to granule loss, cracking, and puncturing from hail impact. Even more robust, impact-resistant roofs (sometimes called 40–50 year shingles) are thicker but can still sustain damage — and they generally come at a higher cost to install or replace.

Beyond visible dents or cracks, hail can also weaken the structural integrity of roofing materials and other exterior elements, leaving your home more vulnerable to future weather damage.

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📝 How Insurance Adjusters Handle Hail Claims

From an insurance adjuster’s perspective, hail is actually one of the easiest perils to assess. That’s because all homes within the storm’s radius usually experience the same type of damage. This consistency helps streamline the process of evaluating and pricing claims, making it easier for homeowners to get repairs underway quickly.

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🛑 Beware of Door-to-Door Contractors

It’s very common for contractors to knock on homeowners’ doors after a hailstorm, offering a free inspection for roof damage. While it’s smart to check your roof’s condition if you suspect hail damage, it’s even more important to do it safely and wisely.

Always choose a local, reputable roofer or contractor — one who is properly insured and well-reviewed. This helps protect you from poor workmanship or fraudulent repairs.

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✅ The Bottom Line

Hailstorms can cause unexpected damage to your home, but understanding how hail forms and how it impacts your property can help you prepare.

If you think your home may have hail damage, inspect it promptly and work with trusted local professionals — and always keep your homeowners insurance up to date to ensure you’re protected from this common weather risk.

Have questions about how hail damage is covered under your policy? Contact our office today — we’re here to help you safeguard your home and belongings from whatever Mother Nature sends your way.