What to Do After a Hail Storm in Minnesota (72-Hour Homeowner’s Checklist)
13min Read
Posted 3.02.2026
The hail stops, the sun comes back out, and your yard is covered in ice chunks the size of marbles. The next 72 hours determine whether your roof claim goes smoothly — or whether you end up fighting your insurance company six months later. This is the exact checklist our inspectors walk Minnesota homeowners through after a hail event, ordered by priority and timing. Follow it and you’ll have maximum claim leverage, documented damage, and a code-compliant scope of work before your adjuster ever gets on the roof.
Why the first 72 hours matter so much
Three things happen in the first 72 hours after a Minnesota hail event: (1) insurance carriers start pre-positioning adjusters and setting claim reserves for your zip code; (2) legitimate local roofers’ inspection schedules book solid; and (3) out-of-state storm-chasers arrive and start door-knocking. Homeowners who move fast and methodically capture the full scope of damage; homeowners who wait often see granular loss normalize in photos or find that evidence of “sudden and accidental” damage becomes harder to prove weeks later.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Minnesota ranks in the top 10 states for annual hail activity, with the Twin Cities metro averaging 5–8 severe hail days per season. The August 2022 and June 2023 events produced hail over 2″ in parts of the metro — size class that reliably totals asphalt roofs.
The 9-step post-hail action plan
| When | Step | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Hour 0 – 2 | Note storm time, take ground photos | You |
| Hour 2 – 24 | Screenshot radar + hail reports | You |
| Day 1 – 3 | Free roof inspection from local MN roofer | Licensed contractor |
| Day 1 – 7 | Photograph collateral (gutters, AC, car) | You + roofer |
| Day 3 – 14 | File the claim if damage is confirmed | You |
| Day 7 – 30 | Meet adjuster on roof with contractor | Adjuster + roofer |
| Day 14 – 45 | Review scope, supplement if needed | Roofer |
| Day 21 – 60 | Sign contract + schedule install | You |
| Day 30 – 120 | Install, final invoice, depreciation released | Roofer |
Step 1 — Nail down the storm date and hail size
Document exactly when the storm hit (date + approximate time), and record the largest hailstone size you saw. Insurance carriers require a specific event date. Screenshot radar from the NWS Twin Cities office at weather.gov/mpx, then cross-reference with NOAA Storm Events once the event is logged (usually 2–4 weeks after). Third-party hail-tracking services (HailTrace, InterActive Hail Maps) confirm hail path and size for your zip code.
If you collected hail, set one or two stones on a ruler and photograph them before they melt. Size matters — 1″ hail is borderline damage territory for asphalt shingles; 1.5″+ reliably creates test-square hits that adjusters recognize.
Step 2 — Photograph collateral damage from the ground
Do not climb the roof. Photograph everything at ground level that would corroborate hail impact:
- Dented gutters and downspouts (especially on the impact side of the house)
- Bent, torn, or dented window screens
- Dented AC condenser fins
- Dented patio furniture, grills, mailboxes
- Broken skylights or solar tubes
- Pockmarked vinyl siding
- Cracked or chipped paint on garage doors and trim
- Damaged landscape lights, house numbers, or decorative items
These “soft metal” and fragile indicators are how adjusters verify that the hail at your address was large enough and forceful enough to damage shingles. Photograph each from 2 angles — close-up and a wider shot showing the item in context.
Step 3 — Get a free roof inspection from a licensed MN roofer
This is the single biggest mistake homeowners make — they call the insurance company first. Better sequence: call a HAAG-certified or GAF Master Elite local contractor, get a pre-claim inspection (usually within 48–72 hours), and then decide whether to file. If your roof doesn’t have claim-worthy damage, you’ve avoided a CLUE-report claim that didn’t pay out. If it does, you have documented evidence ready before the adjuster arrives.
See our guide to finding a qualified Minnesota roofer for the vetting checklist.
What hail damage actually looks like on a MN roof
| Feature | Hail damage (covered) | Wear-and-tear (not covered) |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | Random, scattered across slopes | Linear, along edges, weathered uniformly |
| Bruising | Soft spot under thumb pressure, black matte where granules removed | Brittle all over, fiberglass showing |
| Shape | Circular, 0.25″–1″+ in diameter | Lines, cracks, curling edges |
| Age indicators | Sharp edges on hit, fresh asphalt mat exposed | Oxidized, yellowed, crumbly |
| Collateral | Matching damage on gutters, AC, windows | No related collateral |
Step 4 — Check your policy BEFORE filing
Pull out your declarations page (in the policy packet your agent sent). Look for:
- Wind/Hail Deductible: Typically 1%–5% of dwelling coverage. On $400K dwelling = $4K–$20K.
- RCV or ACV: Replacement Cost Value is better than Actual Cash Value.
- Roof Schedule / Roof Depreciation Endorsement: Some 2024–2026 MN policies now cap roof payouts at a depreciated value based on age. Read the endorsements.
- Ordinance or Law: Covers MN code-required upgrades (ice & water shield, drip edge, etc.). 10%–25% of dwelling limit.
- Matching clause: Does the carrier pay to match undamaged slopes to replacement shingles?
Step 5 — File the claim (and what NOT to say)
Call the claims line or use the app. Have the storm date, policy number, and ground-level damage photos ready. Keep your description factual:
- Say: “There was a hail storm on [date] at approximately [time] in [zip]. I’ve observed dented gutters, damaged screens, and a local licensed roofer has identified shingle damage on multiple slopes.”
- Don’t say: “I think my roof is old anyway” / “Not sure if it’s hail or just old” / “My neighbor told me to file.”
For a deeper walkthrough of the claim process see How to file a roof insurance claim in Minnesota.
Step 6 — The adjuster meeting (be there + bring your roofer)
The adjuster will chalk test squares on 2–4 slopes. Most carriers use 8+ hits per 10′ x 10′ test square on 2+ slopes as the threshold for a full replacement. Your contractor should be on the roof pointing out missed hits, photographing chalk marks, and noting every impact on soft metals. A missed slope or misclassified “cosmetic” damage now is a 3-month fight later.
What to ignore, what to watch for
| Behavior | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Door-knocker in unmarked truck | Out-of-state storm chaser | Decline politely, get business card, do NOT sign |
| “We’ll waive your deductible” | Illegal under MN 325E.66 | Walk away — this is fraud |
| “Sign this before adjuster comes” | Contingency agreement trap | Never sign pre-adjuster contracts |
| “Free inspection, no obligation” | OK — this is standard | Verify MN license before inspection |
| Neighbor just replaced roof | Confirms event severity | Ask which contractor + experience |
| Adjuster says “just cosmetic” | Carrier pushback | Request supplement + reinspection |
Step 7 — Protect the house until the roof is replaced
If shingles are missing or you see active leaking, get a temporary tarp installed. Most MN carriers pay for emergency tarping under “mitigation of damages” — save receipts. Do NOT let an unknown crew tarp your roof without confirming they’re a licensed MN contractor. Storm-chasers sometimes offer “free tarps” as a foot in the door to sign work contracts.
Step 8 — Review the scope of loss line-by-line
Once the adjuster writes the estimate (usually Xactimate-based), review it with your contractor. MN scope items frequently missed or underpriced:
- Ice & water shield to MN code (eave + 24″ past heated wall line)
- Drip edge on eaves AND rakes (MN code)
- Step flashing replacement (not reuse)
- Ridge vent + matched intake detail
- Kickout flashing at roof-to-wall transitions
- Pipe boot replacement (all)
- Gutter replacement if dented
- Satellite dish detach & reset
- Ordinance or Law upgrades (if your policy includes it)
If any are missing, your contractor submits a supplement request with line-item documentation.
Step 9 — Install, inspect, and release depreciation
Schedule the install (typical MN lead time in storm season is 4–10 weeks). After work is complete, your contractor sends the final invoice + certificate of completion to your insurance carrier, and the carrier releases recoverable depreciation. Your only out-of-pocket on an RCV policy is the wind/hail deductible. For the full timeline, see how long does roof replacement take.
The 25% rule — why partial claims often become full replacements
Minnesota Building Code R908.3 requires a full tear-off when more than 25% of a roof section needs repair in a 12-month period. Translation: if the adjuster approves repairs to more than a quarter of any slope, the code requires the full slope (and often the full roof) to be replaced. Most MN hail claims that start as “partial” end up as “full replacement” once the 25% rule is applied. Read our full explainer on the 25% rule in Minnesota roofing.
Common hail-claim mistakes — and how to avoid them
- Waiting 6+ months to file. Memory fades, collateral evidence gets cleaned up or replaced, and carriers get more skeptical. File within 30–60 days.
- Climbing your own roof to inspect. Creates pre-existing damage ambiguity. And it’s dangerous.
- Signing a contingency contract with a storm-chaser. Locks you into a vendor before you know the scope.
- Letting the adjuster inspect alone. You want your contractor present as a second set of eyes.
- Accepting the first scope without review. Supplements are normal — 2–3 rounds is common.
- Not knowing your wind/hail deductible. Budget shock at the worst time.
- Choosing the cheapest bid. Usually means missing ice-and-water shield, drip edge, or proper nail pattern.
What to do in the next 24 hours
Screenshot the radar, photograph gutters + AC + screens, and call a licensed local MN roofer for a free inspection. Those three steps cost nothing, take under an hour, and preserve your claim rights regardless of whether damage turns out to be claim-worthy.
If you’re in Shoreview, Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the greater Twin Cities metro, Owl Roofing offers same- or next-day free roof inspections after a storm, Minnesota-licensed and insured damage documentation, and on-site meetings with your insurance adjuster. We only get paid from the insurance proceeds after the job is complete.
What Owl Roofing Customers Actually Say
Real, verified Google reviews from real customers Owl Roofing maintains a 5.0 Google rating with 30+ five-star reviews.
Noah is the real deal. After our insurance denied our roof claim and the first roofer walked away, Noah showed up the next day and said he thought he could get us a new roof. He delivered. He got us a roof covered by insurance after it had already been declined. We came up with a nickname for him: “The Roof Whisperer.”
— Tyler Moberg, verified Google review
I am an Independent Insurance Agency owner and have worked with Noah on several roof projects. The homeowners have been extremely satisfied with the quality of work and craftsmanship Noah and his crews have provided. From filing the claim to replacing the roof and cleaning up the job site, Noah and his crew are the best!
— Fred Zappa, Independent Insurance Agency Owner
We used Owl Roofing for a repair on our roof in Brooklyn Park, and I was blown away by how good they were. Every member of the team communicated well about the process. Their price transparency was super helpful. They got the work done very fast, and the team was professional and very kind.
— Matt Brown, Brooklyn Park (verified Google review)
Noah and his team are outstanding! His clear communication, professionalism, and workmanship are top-notch. I recommend Owl Roofing to all my clients, friends, and family.
— Christine Westlund, verified Google review
It didn’t feel like dealing with a big company — it felt like working with people who actually care about the homes and community in the North Oaks and Shoreview area. Great people, great communication, and really solid work.
— Cody Warren, verified Google review
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a hail damage claim in Minnesota?
Most Minnesota policies require notice “promptly” and have a 1-year outside limit from the date of loss, but some carriers are now shortening that window. Best practice is to file within 30–60 days of the storm to preserve maximum leverage and evidence.
What size hail damages an asphalt shingle roof?
Hail 1″ in diameter or larger can bruise asphalt shingles and remove granules. Hail 1.5″+ reliably creates the test-square hits adjusters recognize for a full replacement. Class 4 impact-rated shingles perform better but still show damage from 2″+ hail.
Should I wait to see if my roof leaks before filing?
No. Asphalt shingles damaged by hail may not leak immediately — the damage to granules and the asphalt mat accelerates UV degradation and can lead to failure 2–5 years later. Waiting creates the “wear and tear” denial argument for your carrier.
Can I do a free roof inspection myself after a hailstorm?
Only from the ground. Climbing the roof is dangerous and creates “pre-existing damage” ambiguity. Use binoculars from the ground or drone photos. A licensed MN roofer will do a full inspection for free.
Will my insurance cover a full roof replacement for hail damage?
If the adjuster finds 8+ hits per 10′ x 10′ test square on 2+ slopes (or damage to more than 25% of a slope triggering MN code), most MN RCV policies cover a full replacement less the wind/hail deductible. Class 4 shingles installed under a full system warranty typically earn an insurance discount for future coverage.
What if a door-knocker tells me my roof is damaged?
Politely take their card and call a local, licensed MN contractor for a second opinion. Never sign a contract or contingency agreement with a door-knocker before you’ve had the roof inspected by a vetted local roofer and filed the claim.
Does filing a hail claim raise my premium?
A single weather-related (non-liability) claim typically does not raise your individual rate. However, your carrier may raise rates across your zip code following a major storm event, and multiple claims within 3–5 years can trigger non-renewal.
