Should I inspect the siding myself after a hail or wind storm?

Inspect from the ground only. Walk every elevation of the house and photograph damage from a few feet away, then from a window above. Do not climb a ladder onto wet or debris-covered ground to reach upper courses. A licensed siding contractor will do the full close-up inspection of every wall.

How do I know if hail actually damaged my siding?

Hail damage on vinyl siding shows as cracks, chips, and punched holes — often on the storm-facing elevation and concentrated low where panels are unsupported. On fiber cement and engineered wood it shows as chips, gouges, and cracked boards. On metal it shows as dents and dimples. Ground-level signs include dented gutters, downspouts, AC units, and car hoods. If you see those, the siding took the same hits.

Will my insurance cover hail or wind damage to siding?

If your policy covers wind and hail (most HO-3 policies do), yes — cracked, holed, or blown-off siding from a covered storm is a covered loss, and so is resulting water intrusion into the wall. But your deductible applies, and in some states (TX, OK, CO) you may have a separate wind/hail deductible that is higher than your standard deductible. Check your declarations page for the specific deductible.

After a Hail or Wind Storm: What to Do in the Next 72 Hours

Step-by-step

The 72-hour playbook

1
Hours 0–24: Document and secure
Take dated photos of every exterior surface: each elevation of siding from a few feet away, trim, corner posts, gutters, windows, AC unit, vehicles. Photograph hailstones next to a ruler if they are still on the ground. If a panel has been holed or blown off and water is reaching the wall, cover the opening with plastic sheeting and tape and photograph it. Do not make permanent repairs yet — removing or replacing damaged panels before the adjuster sees them weakens your claim.
2
Hours 24–48: Get a contractor estimate
Call a licensed local siding contractor (not a door-knocker) and get a written inspection and estimate. The contractor should document every damaged area with photos and note the siding material, profile, age, and condition — including whether the existing color and profile can still be matched. This estimate becomes your reference against the adjuster’s scope. Do not sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) or a contingent repair contract at this stage.
3
Hours 48–72: Notify your carrier
Call the claims number on your declarations page and open a claim. Give the date and type of event (hail, wind, measured size if known, NWS storm report number if available). Request the adjuster visit within 14 days. Have your contractor’s estimate ready to share. In Florida, you have 12 months from the date of loss to file notice under F.S. §627.70132 — but filing within 72 hours is dramatically better for your claim outcome.

Hail-belt states

Where this matters most

The states with the highest hail-claim frequency are Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas. If you live in any of these states, this 72-hour playbook is not optional — it is the difference between a clean claim and a fight. Hail and wind crack vinyl, gouge fiber cement, and blow panels off the wall, so do not assume undamaged-looking siding came through clean. See each state’s siding guide for the specific claim-window statute and matching-law context.

For the full claim process beyond the first 72 hours, see our siding insurance claim process guide.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Should I inspect the siding myself after a hail or wind storm?
Inspect from the ground only. Walk every elevation of the house and photograph damage from a few feet away, then from a window above. Do not climb a ladder onto wet or debris-covered ground to reach upper courses. A licensed siding contractor will do the full close-up inspection of every wall.
How do I know if hail actually damaged my siding?
Hail damage on vinyl siding shows as cracks, chips, and punched holes — often on the storm-facing elevation and concentrated low where panels are unsupported. On fiber cement and engineered wood it shows as chips, gouges, and cracked boards. On metal it shows as dents and dimples. Ground-level signs include dented gutters, downspouts, AC units, and car hoods. If you see those, the siding took the same hits.
Will my insurance cover hail or wind damage to siding?
If your policy covers wind and hail (most HO-3 policies do), yes — cracked, holed, or blown-off siding from a covered storm is a covered loss, and so is resulting water intrusion into the wall. But your deductible applies, and in some states (TX, OK, CO) you may have a separate wind/hail deductible that is higher than your standard deductible. Check your declarations page for the specific deductible.

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