10 signs of storm damage on your roof — and what to document

The ten signs

1. 1
   Circular dents with missing granules on asphalt shingles

   Hail impact on asphalt shingles leaves a characteristic circular or oval dent with the granule coating knocked away, exposing the dark black mat beneath. Look for a pattern of these impacts, especially on slopes facing the direction the storm came from. Even small hail (3/4 inch or less) can cause functional damage that qualifies for an insurance claim if the mat is exposed.

2. 2
   Missing, creased, or folded shingles after a wind event

   Wind damage lifts shingles at the leading edge and either tears them off entirely or creases them so the sealant strip is broken. Creased shingles may still be in place but they will never re-seal and will admit water on the next heavy rain. Finding whole shingles in the yard after a 50 mph gust means the adhesive bond was already compromised by age or a prior storm event.

3. 3
   Granule accumulation in gutters after a storm

   A heavy rain event following a hailstorm will flush the dislodged granules into the gutters. A thick layer of granules — particularly if it is concentrated and followed a specific storm rather than appearing gradually — is a measurable indicator of hail damage. Photograph the gutter contents and bag a sample before cleaning; it is documentation for your claim.

4. 4
   Dented gutters, downspouts, or AC condenser fins

   If hailstones hit your roof, they hit every other metal surface on the property at the same time. Dented or pockmarked aluminum gutters, dented downspout elbows, and dimpled AC condenser fins are corroborating evidence of a hail event with enough energy to cause roof damage. Photograph all of it before any repairs. Adjusters know to look for this; it strengthens your claim.

5. 5
   Bruised or soft spots on asphalt shingles

   On architectural shingles, hail impact can create a “bruise” — a soft, mat-like depression where the aggregate beneath the surface has been fractured without breaking through the top layer. You may not see it from the ground. A roofer will find it by walking the roof and gently pressing. Bruising weakens the shingle’s resistance to future impacts and accelerates granule loss at those points.

6. 6
   Split or cracked ridge cap shingles

   Ridge cap shingles take the full force of hail from two angles and bear the most direct wind exposure on the roof. Cracked, split, or lifted ridge caps after a storm event are a reliable indicator that the field shingles below took similar punishment. They are often the first place a roofer looks during a storm-damage inspection.

7. 7
   Damaged or lifted flashing at penetrations

   Wind-driven rain and hail force flashing away from chimneys, skylights, pipe boots, and HVAC curbs. Lifted, bent, or punctured flashing after a storm creates a water-entry point even if the shingles themselves held. Damage to flashing is a covered scope item on a storm claim and should be documented separately from shingle damage.

8. 8
   Interior water stains or active leaks following a storm

   A new ceiling stain or an active drip that appears after a specific storm event is direct evidence of storm-caused damage. Photograph the stain immediately with a timestamp, note the date and description of the weather event, and do not patch the interior before the adjuster sees it. Patching hides the evidence the adjuster needs to connect the stain to the claim.

9. 9
   Impact damage on soft metals: vents, pipe boots, valley metal

   Lead pipe boots, aluminum ridge vents, and valley flashing dent visibly under hail. These surfaces are more sensitive than asphalt and can show impact at hail sizes that leave only marginal bruising on shingles. If your soft metals have clear pockmarks, your shingles almost certainly have functional damage too, even if it is not obvious from ground level.

10. 10
    Neighbors on the same block have storm-damage claims approved

    Roofs in the same subdivision, built around the same time with the same exposure, take the same hits from the same storm. If multiple neighbors on your street have had hail or wind claims approved and their roofs replaced, yours took the same weather event. This is particularly relevant in hail-belt states like Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Nebraska. Get an independent inspection even if you cannot see obvious damage from the ground.

After you spot the damage

Seeing one or more of these signs is the beginning, not the end. Document everything with dated photos before making any temporary repairs. Get a written inspection and estimate from a licensed local roofer. Then call your carrier and open the claim. For the full step-by-step process including timing deadlines by state and what to do if the claim is denied, see our roof insurance claim process guide. For details on what the insurer will actually pay, see our ACV vs. RCV guide.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I file an insurance claim for storm damage even if the roof is old?
  Yes, if a covered storm event caused the damage. Insurance covers sudden, accidental losses from hail, wind, and named storms — not wear and tear. Even a 20-year-old roof can have a valid hail-damage claim if the event caused the specific damage. The adjuster will note age and depreciation, but the claim is based on cause, not age alone. Document the date, the storm event, and the specific damage pattern before you call.
• How do I tell storm damage from normal wear?
  Storm damage tends to be directional and concentrated — hail strikes cluster on slopes facing the storm, granule displacement radiates from impact points, and metal surfaces show pockmarks. Wear is uniform across the whole roof. The presence of dented gutters, AC condenser fins, and cracked vinyl siding alongside roof damage is strong evidence of a weather event. When in doubt, get an inspection from a licensed roofer who documents findings with dated photos.
• What if my insurer says the damage is wear and tear, not storm damage?
  This is a common dispute. You have escalation options: request a reinspection with a second staff adjuster, invoke the appraisal clause in your policy (a low-cost binding process), hire a licensed public adjuster who works on your behalf, or consult a first-party insurance attorney. For the full escalation playbook, see our roof insurance claim process guide.