Guide
Hail damage or wind damage? How to tell the difference
Hail leaves round bruises and spots of missing granules, plus dents in soft metal. Wind leaves creased, lifted or missing shingles, mostly along edges and ridges. The difference matters because some policies treat wind and hail with separate deductibles.
What hail looks like
- Round dark spots where granules got knocked off, scattered across a slope.
- Bruises that feel soft when pressed, like a bruise on an apple.
- Dents in soft metals: roof vents, gutters, downspouts, and the tops of window wraps.
- Damage heavier on the slopes that faced the storm.
What wind looks like
- Shingles creased across the middle where they folded back.
- Lifted tabs with a broken seal line along the bottom edge.
- Missing shingles, usually at the edges, corners and ridge.
- Shingles in the yard after the storm.
Why it matters for a claim
Some policies carry a separate deductible for wind or hail, often a percentage of the home's coverage amount instead of a flat dollar figure. Check your declarations page so you know which number applies before the adjuster visit.
What to photograph from the ground
- Each side of the roof, with the date on the photo.
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, mailbox and car hood.
- Shingles or pieces that landed in the yard.
- Anything wet inside the house.
Stay off the roof. A drone inspection gets close photos of every slope without anyone climbing up.
It happens here
Knox County saw hail up to 1.5 inches on September 4, 2025 (WBIR), and an EF-2 tornado on August 7, 2023 (National Weather Service, Morristown). Read how a roof claim works in Knox County and drone inspections, explained.
Related questions
Can a drone find hail damage?
A drone gets close enough to photograph hail hits on slopes you can't see from the ground: dark spots where granules got knocked off, and dents in metal vents and flashing. Our software flags spots worth a closer look, and a person checks every one. Some hits still need to be confirmed by hand, so we use a ladder when the photos aren't conclusive.
After a storm, should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?
We'd get a free inspection first. It tells you whether there's damage worth a claim before anything goes on your record. If there is, you file the claim with your insurer (it's your claim) and we'll document the damage, write the scope, and meet the adjuster on the roof with you. If there isn't, you've lost nothing but an hour.
Who pays the deductible?
You do. Your deductible is your share of the claim, and we never waive it, cover it, or rebate it. If a roofer offers to "take care of your deductible," that's a reason to walk away, because it puts your claim at risk. Some policies carry a separate deductible for wind or hail; check your declarations page so the number isn't a surprise.
This is general information. It is not legal advice. Last reviewed October 26, 2026.
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