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Michigan is no stranger to hail. Just in this past year, from June 2025 to June 2026, HailTrace reported over 69 hail events in Michigan. Sometimes the damage hail leaves in its wake is easy to see. Busted windows, dented gutters, broken tree limbs — it’s hard to miss.
But damage to your roof isn’t always so obvious.
Hail can damage shingles without leaving signs you can spot from the ground. A roof can look perfectly normal from the driveway, even though the hail that peppered it actually left bruised shingles, fewer protective granules, or damaged flashing. Left untreated, that damage can shorten your roof’s lifespan and eventually lead to leaks.
A professional inspection helps iron out whether your roof needs repairs, whether the damage is substantial enough to support an insurance claim, and what steps make the most sense moving forward.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on Different Roofing Materials
Hail damage can show up differently on each roofing material. During post-storm roofing inspections, we often see the following kinds of damage:
| Roof Component | Common Signs of Hail Damage |
| Asphalt shingles | Bruises or soft spots, missing granules, cracked or torn shingles, exposed asphalt |
| Metal roofing and flashing | Dents, dings, bends, or punctures on roofing or around chimneys, vents, and valleys |
| Wood shakes | Cracked, split, or dented wood shakes |
| Roof vents | Cracked vent covers, dented metal vents, broken plastic components |
| Gutters and downspouts | Dents, chipped paint, or loose sections |
| Skylights | Cracked glass, damaged seals, dents in surrounding flashing |
| Roof valleys and ridges | Concentrated granule loss or damaged shingles |
Signs You Should Schedule a Roof Inspection
You don’t have to inspect your roof after every rainstorm, but hail is a different story. Even if everything looks normal from the ground, a quick inspection can catch damage before it turns into a leak or a more expensive repair.
Here are a few situations when it’s smart to schedule one:
- Hail fell in your neighborhood. You don’t have to see damage yourself before calling a roofer. If you know a doozy of a hailstorm whistled through, an inspection can confirm whether your roof escaped the storm or took a hit.
- The gutters or downspouts have fresh dents. Metal usually tells the story before shingles do. Dents in gutters, flashing, or roof vents often indicate the roof was exposed to the same hail.
- Several neighbors are getting their roofs inspected. Hail doesn’t always hit every roof in a neighborhood, but if crews are showing up to fix your neighbors’ roofs, your roof is worth a look, too.
- You find granules in the gutters. Those sand-like granules protect asphalt shingles from the elements. It’s normal for older roofs to lose some here and there, but a noticeable buildup after a hailstorm deserves attention.
- A water stain appears days or weeks later. Roof leaks don’t always announce themselves the morning after a storm. Sometimes, moisture takes a while to work its way through your roofing system before it becomes visible inside the house.
- Your roof is already a decade or two old. Older shingles generally don’t bounce back from hail the way newer ones do, which makes them more susceptible to damage during severe weather.
If any of those situations sound familiar, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional roofing inspection.
What Happens During a Professional Roof Inspection
If you’ve never scheduled a roof inspection after a hailstorm, you might not know what to expect. Here’s what our process looks like:
We Examine the Whole Property
Before we climb onto the roof, we look for signs that help tell the story of the storm. Dents in gutters, downspouts, flashing, and other metal surfaces often provide clues about the size and intensity of the hail. Those details help us know what to look for once we’re on the roof.
We Look Beyond Missing Shingles
Missing shingles are pretty obvious, but they’re only one piece of the puzzle. We also look for bruising, granule loss, cracks, and other signs that hail damaged the shingles without tearing them away. Areas around chimneys, vents, valleys, and skylights receive extra attention because they’re common places for water to find its way inside.
We Inspect the Entire Roofing System
Your roof is more than sheets of metal or overlapping shingles. Flashing, pipe boots, and ridge caps, among other parts, work hard to keep your home dry. During the inspection, we look closely at these areas for damage that could allow water to sneak in.
We Show You What We Find
Roofing terms like granule loss and shingle bruising don’t mean much if you can’t see the damage for yourself. We document any storm-related damage we find with photos and explain how it may affect your roof’s performance. If repairs are needed or an insurance claim makes sense, you’ll have clear documentation to support the next steps.
We Explain Your Options
Not every inspection ends with a recommendation for a new roof. If yours is in good shape, we’ll tell you. If we find damage that needs repairing or documenting for an insurance claim, we’ll explain why and discuss your options. We’re here to give you the information you need to make the decision that’s right for your home.
Should You File an Insurance Claim for Roof Hail Damage?
A lot of homeowners wonder whether or not they should file an insurance claim after hail damage. Unfortunately, the answer to this question varies from one situation to the next.
That’s why we recommend starting with an inspection instead of your insurance company. If your roof is in good shape, you can move on and not worry about the what ifs. If we find storm damage, we’ll explain what we found, document it with photos, and help you understand whether it’s something you should discuss with your insurance carrier.
How Much Does a Hail Damage Roof Inspection Cost?
A hailstorm can leave you with a lot of questions. Fortunately, the cost of finding out whether your roof was damaged usually isn’t one of them.
Schoenherr Roofing offers complimentary hail damage inspections. We’ll inspect your roof for signs of damage and let you know what, if anything, it means for your home. If your roof is in good shape, we’ll tell you. If it needs repairs, we’ll walk you through your options so you can decide what makes the most sense.
Can Hail Damage Be Repaired, or Will the Roof Need Replacement?
Hail damage exists on a spectrum. One roof might only need a small repair, while another has enough damage to justify a full replacement. The right solution depends on the condition of the roof, the extent of the damage, and the remaining life of the roofing system.
When assessing your roof, we look at:
- The Extent of the Damage: A handful of damaged shingles is very different from widespread bruising across multiple slopes of the roof. During the inspection, we’ll look at how much of the roof was affected and whether the damage has compromised its ability to shed water and protect your home.
- The Age of the Roof: The age of your roof plays a role, too. Newer roofs with isolated damage are often good candidates for repairs. If the roof is already nearing the end of its expected lifespan, a replacement may make more sense than investing repairs that only address part of the problem.
- Matching Existing Shingles: Even when a repair is technically possible, matching older shingles isn’t always easy. Years of sun exposure can change a shingle’s color, and some products are eventually discontinued. We’ll discuss those considerations with you so you understand what the finished repair is likely to look like.
- What Makes the Most Sense for Your Home: Every roof is different, which is why we don’t recommend the same solution for every homeowner. Once we’ve completed the inspection, we’ll explain what we found, answer your questions, and recommend the option we believe offers the best long-term protection for your home.
Why Waiting Can Make Roof Damage Worse
Time isn’t always on your side after a hailstorm. Even if your roof isn’t leaking today, storm damage can become more difficult and expensive to address if it goes unchecked.
A delayed inspection can lead to:
- Water Intrusion: Hail can damage shingles and flashing, creating pathways for moisture to reach the roof decking and your home’s interior.
- More Wear from Michigan Weather: Rain, wind, UV exposure, and freeze-thaw cycles can make existing damage worse over time.
- More Extensive Repairs: A repair that’s relatively straightforward today may become a larger project if moisture reaches other parts of the roofing system.
- Insurance Challenges: Waiting too long to document storm damage can make the claims process more complicated, especially if additional storms move through the area.
Scheduling an inspection soon after a hailstorm gives you a clear picture of your roof’s condition, even if everything turns out to be in good shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hail damage and insurance claims often come with a lot of questions, especially after a major storm. Here are answers to a few of the ones we hear most often.
Will insurance pay for roof hail damage?
In many cases, yes. Most homeowners’ insurance policies cover hail damage, but the amount of coverage depends on your policy, deductible, and the extent of the damage. A professional roof inspection can help determine whether your roof sustained storm damage before you contact your insurance company.
What if I don’t see any damage after a hailstorm?
That’s common. Hail damage isn’t always visible from the ground, and some types of damage don’t become apparent until weeks or months later. If your home was in the path of a hailstorm, a professional inspection is the best way to confirm whether your roof was affected.
Should you get your roof inspected after hail?
If hail fell at your home, scheduling an inspection is a smart idea, even if you don’t see obvious damage. Hail can bruise shingles, loosen protective granules, or damage flashing without causing an immediate leak. An inspection can identify those issues early and give you peace of mind if your roof came through the storm without damage.
How long do I have to file a hail damage insurance claim?
The deadline for filing a claim depends on your insurance policy and carrier. Some policies require claims to be reported within a certain period after the storm, so it’s best to review your policy or contact your insurance company as soon as possible if you suspect your roof was damaged.
Is it worth repairing hail damage to a roof?
It usually is. Hail damage doesn’t fix itself. A damaged shingle today has to stand up to the next thunderstorm, the next snowstorm, and another Michigan winter. Repairing the damage sooner rather than later can help your roof continue doing its job for years to come.
Can a roof have hail damage without leaking?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s fairly common. Hail damage often affects the protective surface of the shingles before it causes water to enter your home. That’s one reason a roofing inspection is needed to find potential leaks before they have the chance to create a water stain on your ceiling.
Does hail damage mean I need a new roof?
Not always. Some hail damage can be addressed with targeted repairs, especially if only a small area of the roof was affected. However, widespread damage, significant granule loss, or damage across multiple sections of the roof may require a full replacement. A professional inspection can help determine the best solution for your home.
Schedule a Hail Damage Roof Inspection With Schoenherr Roofing
The storm may be over, but your questions don’t have to linger.
We’ll inspect your roof, explain what we found, and recommend the next steps based on its condition. Whether your roof needs a simple repair, a replacement, or nothing at all, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of where things stand.
If your home was recently affected by hail, schedule a complimentary roof inspection with Schoenherr Roofing.
Sources & References
- Angi – “How Much Does a Roof Inspection Cost?”
Provides average roof inspection costs in Michigan, including typical price ranges and the factors that influence pricing. Used to compare general roof inspection costs with complimentary storm damage inspections.
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-roof-inspection-cost.htm - Crosby Henry Insurance Agency – “Michigan Wind and Hail Deductibles: What Homeowners Need to Know Before Filing a Claim”
Explains how wind and hail deductibles work under Michigan homeowners insurance policies, including situations where separate deductibles apply and considerations homeowners should understand before filing a storm damage claim.
https://www.crosbyhenry.com/blogs/michigan-wind-and-hail-deductibles–what-homeowners-need-to-know-before-filing-a-claim - HailTrace – “Michigan Hail Maps”
Provides historical hail reports and interactive storm maps for Michigan. Used to reference the frequency of hail events across the state and reinforce the importance of inspecting roofs after severe weather.
https://hailtrace.com/hail-maps/state/michigan
