What to Do After a Hail Storm in the Twin Cities: A Step-by-Step Guide for Minnesota Homeowners
Why the First 72 Hours After a Hail Storm Matter in Minnesota
Minnesota averages more than 60 reportable hail days per year, with peak season running from May through August. The Twin Cities metro alone sees multiple hail-producing events each season — and every time one moves through, what you do in the hours and days after determines whether your insurance claim goes smoothly or becomes a months-long fight.
Most homeowners wait too long, talk to the wrong people first, or sign something before they understand what they're signing. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, in the right order, from the moment the storm passes to the day your roof is repaired or replaced.
Minnesota law is on your side. Under Minnesota Statute § 65A.01, all homeowner's insurance policies issued in the state are required to include coverage for hail and windstorm damage — even if you haven't purchased a separate storm rider. If hail damaged your roof, your standard policy covers it.
Step-by-Step: What to Do After a Hail Storm in the Twin Cities
- Wait for the storm to fully pass Don't go outside during or immediately after the storm. Hail is often followed by lightning, high winds, and slippery surfaces. Once conditions are clear, start your assessment from the ground only.
- Check for immediate safety hazards Look for downed power lines, gas smells, or structural damage before anything else. If you have active water intrusion inside, arrange temporary tarping — most Minnesota policies require homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent secondary damage.
- Do a ground-level property inspection and document everything Walk your full perimeter and take date-stamped photos and video of everything you observe: dented gutters, torn window screens, pockmarks on wood decking, granules in downspouts, dents on your AC unit and any vehicles parked outside. Do this within hours, not days — evidence degrades.
- Look up the storm in NOAA Storm Events Go to the NOAA Storm Events Database and find the record for your storm date and zip code. Print or save it. This is your official documentation that a hail event occurred at your location — useful if your insurer questions the claim.
- Schedule a free professional inspection before calling your insurer Call a licensed Minnesota roofing contractor for a free inspection. Do this before filing a claim — knowing whether damage is actually claim-worthy prevents you from filing a claim unnecessarily, which affects your insurance record.
- Review your insurance policy While you wait for the inspection, pull out your policy. Note your deductible type — many Minnesota policies now carry a separate wind and hail deductible calculated as a percentage of your home's insured value, often 1% to 2%. On a $400,000 home that's $4,000 to $8,000 out of pocket before coverage kicks in. Also check whether your policy is Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV) — it makes a significant difference in what you receive.
- If damage is confirmed, file your claim You — not your contractor — file the claim. Have your policy number, the storm date, your NOAA record, and your contractor's inspection report ready. Most Minnesota policies require reporting within one year of the storm, but waiting gives your insurer grounds to question whether damage is storm-related.
- Have your contractor present during the adjuster inspection This is the single most important step homeowners skip. Insurance adjusters are professionals, but they move quickly and frequently miss granule loss, flashing damage, and soft-metal impacts that an experienced contractor would catch. Having your roofer on the roof with the adjuster changes what gets documented.
- Review the scope of loss before signing anything Compare the adjuster's report against your contractor's inspection documentation. Supplemental claims are common and legitimate — if damage was missed, your contractor can document and submit a supplement. Never sign a settlement release without reviewing it against the full damage report.
- Select a contractor, pay your deductible, and schedule the work Choose a licensed, local Minnesota contractor. Pay your deductible — it is your legal responsibility and cannot be waived or paid by the contractor under Minnesota Statute § 325E.66. Anyone who offers to cover your deductible is exposing you to insurance fraud liability.
How to Identify Hail Damage on Your Property From the Ground
Hail damage to asphalt shingles is almost always invisible from the ground. What you can reliably see from the ground are the secondary indicators on other surfaces — and they're accurate enough to tell you whether a professional inspection is warranted.
What to look for
- Gutters and downspouts: Dents on aluminum gutters are one of the clearest indicators hail was large enough to cause damage. Look inside downspouts for dark, sand-like granule accumulation — this is granule loss from your shingles washing down after impact.
- Window screens: Torn or punctured screens confirm hail reached your property at a size large enough to cause impact damage.
- Wood surfaces: Deck boards, wood fencing, and exposed wood siding show pockmarks or spatter patterns from hail strikes. These are easy to photograph and useful as evidence.
- Exterior AC unit: Bent or dented condenser fins are a reliable indicator that your roof took similar impact — both are exposed metal surfaces.
- Vehicles: Dimpling or dings on cars parked outside during the storm are strong supporting evidence. Photograph them with date stamps.
- Siding: Circular dents or cracking on vinyl siding are visible signs. LP SmartSide and steel siding show different impact patterns — a contractor can identify these during inspection.
Do not get on your roof yourself. Post-storm roofs can be slippery and structurally compromised in ways not visible from outside. Falls are the leading cause of post-storm injuries among homeowners. A licensed contractor has the equipment and training to inspect safely.
Understanding Your Minnesota Homeowner's Insurance Policy After a Hail Storm
Before you file — or decide not to — there are three things you need to know about your policy.
Your deductible type
Standard homeowner's policies carry a flat deductible (often $1,000 or $2,500) for most claims. But many Minnesota policies now carry a separate wind and hail deductible that's calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage — typically 1% to 2%, though some go higher. On a home insured for $400,000, a 2% wind and hail deductible means $8,000 out of pocket before coverage applies. Check your declarations page for a separate "wind/hail" line.
Replacement Cost Value vs. Actual Cash Value
Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies pay what it costs to replace your roof today, regardless of age. Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies pay the depreciated value — on a 15-year-old roof, that could be 40% to 60% less than replacement cost. Some carriers now issue "roof schedules" that automatically depreciate older roofs based on age and material. Know which you have before you file.
The one-year filing window
Most Minnesota homeowner's insurance policies require hail damage claims to be filed within one year of the storm date. Some policies have shorter windows. The longer you wait, the more your insurer can argue that damage is from general wear rather than the specific storm event. Getting a professional inspection done promptly — even if you're not sure whether to file — protects your options.
Minnesota law protects you. Under Minnesota Statute § 65A.01, your standard homeowner's policy is required to cover hail damage. Under Minnesota Statute § 325E.66, contractors cannot legally waive your deductible, file your claim on your behalf, or ask you to sign over your insurance benefits (Assignment of Benefits). Anyone offering these things is a red flag.
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Schedule a Free Inspection Call (612) 800-6580How to Protect Yourself From Storm Chasers After a Twin Cities Hail Event
Within hours of any significant hail storm in the Twin Cities, out-of-state contractors begin working neighborhoods door by door. Some are legitimate. Many are not. Here's what to watch for.
Red flags to know
- Offers to waive or cover your deductible: This is illegal under Minnesota Statute § 325E.66, and accepting it exposes you to insurance fraud liability — not just the contractor.
- Pressure to sign a contract at the door: Minnesota's 3-day right of rescission applies to door-to-door sales, but preventing the situation is better than unwinding it. Never sign the day of the knock.
- Requests to "handle your insurance claim": A roofing contractor cannot legally file your claim, negotiate with your insurer, or act as a public adjuster in Minnesota without a separate public adjuster license (MN Statute 72B). Anyone offering to do this is operating outside the law.
- No verifiable Minnesota license: Ask for the contractor's BC license number and verify it at doli.state.mn.us. If they can't provide it immediately, that's your answer.
- Out-of-state plates, no local office: Storm chasers follow damage events across states. A contractor who won't be in Minnesota when you need a warranty call isn't the right choice.
What to say at the door: "Thanks for stopping by. I'm already in contact with a local contractor I've vetted. I'm not signing anything today. Can I get your company name and Minnesota license number?" Note it down and verify it. If they pressure or linger, close the door.
What Happens During a Professional Hail Damage Inspection
A thorough hail damage inspection from a licensed Minnesota roofing contractor covers the full exterior, not just the shingles. Here's what Honest Exteriors documents on every inspection:
Roof surface
- Granule loss and exposed fiberglass mat on asphalt shingles
- Soft impact spots (bruising) on shingle surfaces
- Cracked, split, or punctured shingles
- Damage to ridge caps and hip shingles
- Flashing condition around chimneys, vents, and skylights
- Test squares per HAAG methodology — the industry standard for hail damage documentation
Soft metals and exterior
- Gutter denting and granule accumulation
- Damage to vents, exhaust caps, and pipe boots
- Impact marks on siding, window frames, and trim
- AC condenser fin damage
Everything is photographed and provided to you in a written report. That report is yours — use it however you need, including as documentation if you decide to file an insurance claim. A typical inspection takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on roof size and complexity.
About Honest Exteriors
Honest Exteriors is a GAF Certified and Owens Corning Preferred roofing contractor based in Eden Prairie, MN. We serve the west Twin Cities metro — Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Chanhassen, Chaska, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Bloomington, Edina, Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and surrounding communities. Every inspection is free, every estimate is written, and there's no pressure to proceed. We've been in this market long before any storm and we'll be here long after the chasers move on to the next event.
For more on specific recent storm events, see our guide: June 19, 2026 Hail Storm — What West Metro Homeowners Need to Know.
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