Back to Blog Insurance Hail Damage to Your Roof in San Antonio: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Mark WhiteJuly 1, 20269 min read San Antonio sits in one of the most active hail corridors in the United States. We average 3 to 5 significant hail events per year, with major storms capable of producing golf ball-sized hail or larger. After 25 years of repairing hail damage across San Antonio, I've seen the process go smoothly hundreds of times, and I've seen it go sideways when homeowners make avoidable mistakes.
This is the step-by-step guide I wish every San Antonio homeowner had before the next storm hits.
Step 1: Document Before You Touch Anything
After the storm passes and it's safe to go outside, document everything. Walk your property and take photos and video of: hail stones on the ground (put a coin or ruler next to them for scale), dents on AC units, gutter installation, downspouts, fence caps, and mailbox, damage to cars, patio furniture, and window screens, and any visible roof damage you can see from the ground.
Do NOT get on your roof. It's dangerous even in perfect conditions, and wet post-storm conditions make it worse. Leave the free roof inspection to a professional.
Check the date and time of the storm. You'll need this for your records. NOAA's Storm Events Database and local news coverage can confirm hail size in your zip code.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance Company (Within 24-48 Hours)
File your claim promptly. Most Texas policies don't have a hard deadline for filing, but waiting weeks or months gives your insurer an argument that the damage happened after the reported storm, or that you failed to mitigate further damage.
When you call, have ready: your policy number, date and approximate time of the storm, description of visible damage, and photos you took in Step 1.
Your insurer will assign an adjuster. In San Antonio after a major storm, expect 1 to 3 weeks before the adjuster can come out. They're busy. Use this time for Step 3.
Step 3: Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Before the insurance adjuster arrives, get your own independent inspection from a local roofing contractor. This is free from any reputable company (Legacy included). The roofer will document every impact point, check for functional damage vs cosmetic damage, and prepare a detailed report.
Why this matters: insurance adjusters are generalists who inspect everything from plumbing to foundations. A dedicated roofer spots damage patterns that adjusters miss. Having a professional report ready when the adjuster arrives strengthens your claim significantly.
Critical: ask the roofer to be present during the adjuster's inspection. Having your roofer on the roof pointing out specific damage, using industry terminology, and showing their documentation changes the outcome more often than you'd expect.
Step 4: Understanding the Adjuster's Report
After the adjuster inspects, you'll receive a report and a determination. There are four possible outcomes:
Full approval: The insurer agrees there's covered damage and issues payment. You'll receive a check minus your deductible, and if you have a mortgage, the check may be made out to both you and your lender (your lender will have a claims process to release funds).
Partial approval: They acknowledge some damage but not all of it. This is where your roofer's independent report is valuable for negotiating the scope.
Cosmetic damage only: If your policy has a cosmetic damage exclusion, the insurer may acknowledge hail hit your roof but classify it as cosmetic (doesn't affect function). This is increasingly common in Texas policies written after 2019.
Denial: The insurer says there's no covered damage. This isn't necessarily the end. See our guide on fighting denied claims.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
Not sure about the condition of your roof? We will send a certified inspector to your home at no cost. Same day or next business day availability.
Book Your Free Inspection →Step 5: Choose Your Contractor Carefully
This is where the most money gets lost. After every major hail storm in San Antonio, hundreds of out-of-town contractors flood the market. They knock on doors, leave flyers, and set up temporary offices in strip mall parking lots. They're gone within 60 to 90 days.
Here's how to protect yourself:
- Verify they're licensed and insured in your municipality. Texas does not have a statewide roofing license, so licensing is handled at the city level. Ask for their certificate of insurance and verify it's current.
- Check for a physical San Antonio address (not a P.O. box, not a hotel). Google Street View it.
- Look for at least 5 years of local history. Check Google reviews, BBB rating, and ask for local references.
- Never sign a contract the same day a storm chaser knocks on your door. Take their info, research them, and compare with local contractors.
- Never pay more than 10% upfront or your insurance deductible. Legitimate contractors don't need large upfront payments.
- Get the warranty in writing. Ask what happens if they go out of business (storm chasers won't have an answer for this).
How to Spot Hail Damage on Different Materials
architectural shingles: Look for circular dents or bruises where the granules have been knocked off, exposing the black mat underneath. Run your hand across the shingle. Hail impacts feel like a soft spot on a bruised apple.
metal roofing: Dents are visible but rarely affect function. Standing seam metal can take significant hail without compromising water integrity. The dents are cosmetic unless they've cracked a seam or fastener point.
clay tile roofing: Cracked or broken tiles are obvious. But hairline fractures from hail can be invisible from the ground and still allow water penetration. Always get a professional inspection for tile after hail.
Flat roofs (TPO/modified bitumen): Hail can puncture the membrane. Damage isn't always visible from the surface. Water testing or infrared scans may be needed to find compromised areas.
The Timeline: What to Expect After Filing
Here's a realistic timeline for San Antonio hail claims: Days 1 to 2, file your claim and get a free inspection from a local roofer. Weeks 1 to 3, the insurance adjuster inspects. Weeks 2 to 4, you receive the adjuster's report and determination. Weeks 3 to 6, if approved, choose your contractor and schedule the work. Weeks 4 to 8, roof replacement is completed (weather permitting). After completion, the insurance company may send a final inspection, then releases any held funds.
Major storms that affect thousands of homes can stretch this timeline significantly. After the April 2016 San Antonio hail storm, some claims took 3 to 4 months to process due to volume.
FAQ: Hail Damage in San Antonio
Q: Does filing a hail claim raise my insurance rates? Filing one weather-related claim typically does not raise your rates. Texas law prohibits insurers from non-renewing solely because of one weather claim. However, multiple claims within a few years can affect your rates or renewability.
Q: What if I find damage months after a storm? You can still file, but it's harder to prove which storm caused the damage. File as soon as you discover it and reference the most recent storm event for your area.
Q: My neighbor got a new roof from insurance but I didn't get approved. Why? Every roof is different. Age, material, slope, orientation to the storm, and even tree coverage affect how much hail damage a roof sustains. Also, some policies have different exclusions. Compare your denial reason with your actual policy language.
Q: Should I make temporary repairs? Yes, if there's active leaking. Your policy requires you to mitigate further damage. Put a tarp over the damaged area and keep the receipt. Your insurer should reimburse reasonable temporary repair costs. But don't make permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects.
Need a post-storm inspection? Legacy Home Improvements offers free hail damage inspections across San Antonio. Call (210) 272-7272.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
Have Questions? Call Us Directly
Talk to a real person, not a call center. Mark and the Legacy team answer roofing questions all day, every day.
Call (210) 272-7272 → MW Mark White
Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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