Published August 28, 2026
Minnesota averages a serious severe-weather stretch from late spring through August, with hail and straight-line wind doing the most property damage. Most of what determines your outcome is decided before the storm.
1. Photograph your house now
This is the single highest-value hour you will spend. Walk the property and take dated photos of: every roof slope you can safely capture, all four elevations, gutters and downspouts, windows and wraps, the AC condenser, deck, fence, and any outbuildings. Store them in the cloud.
When an adjuster later argues that damage is pre-existing, dated "before" photos end the conversation.
2. Deal with the trees
Storm tree failures are predictable. Look for dead limbs over the house, driveway, or power drop, branches within 10 feet of the roof, co-dominant stems with included bark, previous storm cracks, and any lean that has changed. Removing a hazard limb in May costs a fraction of the emergency call plus roof repair in July.
3. Clear and secure the drainage
Gutters full of last fall's leaves overflow during a downpour and push water at the foundation. Confirm downspouts extend 4-6 feet out and that grade slopes away.
4. Check the roof's weak points
Pipe boots crack from UV long before shingles fail, and they are a top leak source. Also check ridge vents, loose or lifted shingles, and any flashing that came through winter looking tired. A few hundred dollars of preventive repair beats an interior water claim.
5. Read your policy for three things
- Your wind/hail deductible — is it flat dollar or a percentage of dwelling coverage?
- Whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value (older roofs often get scheduled down to ACV)
- Any cosmetic damage exclusion
Knowing these before a storm prevents an unpleasant surprise after one.
6. Secure the loose stuff
Patio furniture, trampolines, umbrellas, and grills become projectiles in a 70 mph gust — and they damage your house and your neighbor's. Have a plan you can execute in ten minutes.
7. Line up your contractor before you need one
The worst time to choose a roofer is the week after a hailstorm, when out-of-state trucks are canvassing the neighborhood. Know who you are calling, verify their Minnesota license number and insurance now, and save the number.
After a storm
Document first, tarp second, call your carrier third. Get your contractor on site for the adjuster meeting, keep every communication in writing, and never sign anything that makes a contract contingent on claim approval before you have read it fully.
Want an exact number for your project?
Free on-site estimate across the Twin Cities metro — no pressure, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I prepare my Minnesota home for hail season?
Photograph the entire property with dates, remove hazard tree limbs, clear gutters and extend downspouts, repair cracked pipe boots and loose shingles, and confirm your wind/hail deductible and roof coverage basis.
Why should I take photos of my house before a storm?
Dated before photos are the fastest way to defeat an adjuster argument that damage was pre-existing, which is one of the most common reasons storm claims get reduced.
What should I do immediately after a storm?
Document damage with dated photos, arrange emergency tarping to prevent further loss, then notify your carrier. Have your contractor present for the adjuster inspection.