Hail Damage: How to Identify It, What It Costs, and What to Do First

Hail damage is the silent budget item of severe-storm season. A 15-minute storm can leave a roof, a car, a garden, and a siding job all at the same level of urgency. Below is the hail size scale, where to look for damage on each part of the property, what to do in the first 24 hours after the storm, and how to file the insurance claim without losing money.

The Hail Size Scale

National Weather Service uses everyday objects for size reference because hail does not come in tidy diameters. The threshold for severe-storm warning is 1 inch.

Pea: 0.25 inch. Cosmetic damage only.

Marble or mothball: 0.5 inch.

Penny or dime: 0.75 inch.

Nickel: 0.88 inch.

Quarter: 1 inch. Severe threshold. Begins to damage vehicles and roofs.

Golf ball: 1.75 inches. Reliable roof and car damage.

Tennis ball: 2.5 inches. Major damage. Cracks windshields, dents metal roofs deeply.

Baseball: 2.75 inches. “Significant severe” per NWS. Holes in vinyl siding, roof penetration possible.

Softball: 4 inches. Catastrophic.

Grapefruit: 4.5 inches and up. Rare. The Vivian, SD record holder fell on July 23, 2010, at 8 inches across and 1.94 pounds.

Where Hail Damage Hides

Most hail damage is not obvious from the ground. Inspect each part separately.

Roof. Asphalt shingles show “bruising” (soft spots where granules have been pounded loose) and circular dent patterns. Run a piece of chalk lightly over a metal roof; chalk catches in dents. Look for granule accumulation in gutters, a sign that shingles have been hit.

Car. Dents on hood, roof, and trunk are obvious. Less obvious: cracked or pitted windshield (use a flashlight at night, look for star fractures), damaged side mirrors, and dimpled aluminum panels. Mark each dent with a circle of washable marker before estimates.

Siding. Vinyl shows hairline cracks, holes, and chipped areas, especially on the windward side. Aluminum dents.

HVAC condenser. The fins on the outdoor unit can be flattened by hail. Bent fins reduce cooling efficiency by 10 to 30 percent. About 50 percent of damaged condensers can be repaired by combing the fins back; the rest need replacement coils.

Garden. Shredded leaves, broken stems, fruit drop. Tomatoes and peppers may survive light hail; severe hail flattens cucurbits and corn. Drip irrigation lines often crack after a major storm.

Skylights and windows. Cracked glass is obvious; tiny fractures around the edges of skylights are not. Run a finger gently around the seal.

The First 24 Hours After a Hail Storm

1. Photograph everything before cleanup. Date-stamped photos and video. Include wide shots and close-ups. Capture hailstones with a ruler or coin for scale.

2. Save a hailstone. Bag and freezer. The size of what fell is part of the claim.

3. Look up at the roof from the ground only. Roof inspection is for a licensed roofer or insurance adjuster. Storm-damaged roofs are not safe to walk on.

4. Cover damaged windows or skylights. Plywood and a tarp prevent secondary water damage.

5. File the claim within the deadline. Most states require filing within 1 year of the storm date. Texas allows 2 years. Insurers can deny late claims even if the damage is obvious.

Hail Alley: Where the Records Live

The most hail-prone region on Earth runs through northeast Colorado, southeast Wyoming, and the southwest Nebraska panhandle. The combination of high terrain, unstable atmosphere, and low freezing levels produces 7 to 9 hail days per year in some counties. Texas leads the country in raw hail-event count (about 667 a year), Kansas follows at about 250, and Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota fill out the top five.

For more on the broader severe-weather risks across these states, see our 10 worst weather states piece and the Tornado Alley explainer.

Annual Hail Costs and Trends

Per the Insurance Information Institute, US hail damage runs $8 to $14 billion in an average year. The 2024 to 2025 severe-convective-weather season set records, with 2024 alone driving more than $50 billion in insured severe-thunderstorm losses (hail plus wind plus tornado). Roof and vehicle damage drives the biggest share. Average vehicle hail repair runs $2,500 to $8,000. Average roof replacement after hail damage runs $5,000 to $20,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size hail causes damage?

1-inch (quarter-sized) hail is the National Weather Service severe threshold and is large enough to begin damaging vehicles and roofs. Below 1 inch, damage is mostly cosmetic. Above 1.75 inches (golf ball), damage to roofs and vehicles is reliable.

How do I tell if my roof has hail damage?

Look for circular bruise patterns on shingles, granule accumulation in gutters and downspouts, and dimples on metal roof panels. The chalk test (rubbing chalk over a metal roof) can highlight dents. A licensed roofer should perform the actual inspection; storm-damaged roofs are not safe for amateurs.

What was the largest hailstone ever recorded in the US?

The Vivian, South Dakota hailstone of July 23, 2010. It measured 8 inches in diameter, weighed 1.94 pounds, and held the US record for both diameter and weight.

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?

Most states require filing within 1 year of the storm. Texas allows 2 years. Check your specific policy; missing the deadline is the most common reason for denial. File early, even if you are still gathering estimates.

Where is Hail Alley?

Northeast Colorado, southeast Wyoming, and the southwest Nebraska panhandle. The most hail-prone region on Earth, with 7 to 9 hail days per year in some counties.

Will hail damage raise my insurance premium?

Often yes. A single hail claim typically raises a homeowner’s premium 2 to 10 percent for 3 to 5 years. The increase varies by insurer and state. In hail-prone states, many insurers now offer hail-specific deductibles separate from the all-perils deductible.