Published August 28, 2026
Adjusters are not guessing. Wind and hail leave different signatures, and the cause of loss they write down determines coverage, deductible, and sometimes whether the claim is paid at all.
What hail damage looks like
- Random, circular bruises with no directional pattern on horizontal-facing surfaces
- Granule loss in a circle, with a soft spot underneath that gives when pressed
- A fresh, black mat exposed at the impact point
- Dented soft metals — this is the confirming evidence. Gutters, downspouts, roof vents, window wraps, fascia, and AC condenser fins all bruise before shingles do.
- Damage on the impact-facing slopes, matched to the storm's direction
What wind damage looks like
- Creased shingles, a horizontal line where the tab folded back and returned
- Missing tabs, usually clustered along rakes, ridges, and the windward edge
- Lifted seal strips — a shingle that lifts by hand has lost its bond
- Directional pattern, worst on the exposed elevation
- Debris impact marks rather than uniform circles
Why the distinction matters
Many Minnesota policies now carry a separate wind/hail deductible written as a percentage of dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% wind/hail deductible is $8,000 versus a $1,000 all-peril deductible. Knowing which one applies before you file is important.
Cosmetic-damage exclusions and roof surface schedules that pay actual cash value on older roofs also come into play — both hinge on the cause and date of loss.
What gets claims denied
- No date of loss. "Sometime last summer" does not work. Match your claim to a documented NOAA or local storm event with a date.
- Wear mistaken for damage. Blistering, curling from age, and foot traffic scuffs read as maintenance, not storm.
- Waiting too long. Policies require prompt notice, and evidence degrades.
- Prior unrepaired damage on file from an earlier claim.
Document it right
- Photograph everything within days, with timestamps: roof slopes, all four elevations, gutters, downspouts, vents, the AC unit, and any interior water staining.
- Look up the storm date and save the report.
- Circle hits in chalk before the adjuster arrives so nothing gets missed.
- Have your contractor on the roof at the same time as the adjuster.
- Keep every email and get verbal decisions confirmed in writing.
If the adjuster's report undercounts, that is what the supplement process exists for — it is routine, not adversarial.
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Frequently asked questions
How do adjusters tell wind damage from hail damage?
Hail leaves random circular bruises with granule loss and dents soft metals like gutters and AC fins. Wind leaves creased or missing shingles in a directional pattern along rakes and ridges.
Why does it matter whether damage is wind or hail?
Many Minnesota policies carry a separate percentage-based wind/hail deductible, which on a $400,000 home can be thousands more than a flat all-peril deductible.
What gets a storm damage claim denied?
No documented date of loss, age-related wear mistaken for storm damage, late reporting, and prior unrepaired damage already on file.