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The hail-damage roof claim playbook

By the 66221 Living Editorial Desk · Updated October 21, 2026 · 10-minute read

Kansas sees hundreds of hail reports in a typical year, and Johnson County gets its share. A clean, well-documented claim can replace a roof for the cost of your deductible. A messy one can drag on for months — or leave you paying for damage the policy should have covered.

1. Know your policy before the storm

Three terms decide how much you'll actually receive:

• Wind/hail deductible. Many Kansas policies now use a percentage deductible for wind and hail — often 1% or 2% of your dwelling coverage. On $650,000 of coverage, 1% means $6,500 out of pocket. That's very different from a flat $1,000.
• Replacement cost value (RCV) vs actual cash value (ACV). RCV policies pay what it costs to replace the roof today. ACV policies subtract depreciation for age, so an older roof may pay out far less. Some policies switch roofs to ACV once they pass a certain age.
• Cosmetic damage exclusions. Some carriers exclude dents on metal roofing or soft metals that don't affect function. Know whether yours does.

Also find your claim filing window. Policies typically require notice "promptly" and set an outer limit for filing after the date of loss. Missing it can sink an otherwise valid claim.

2. Document within 72 hours

Hail evidence fades. Rain washes away granule trails, homeowners clean gutters, and neighbours' repairs blur the picture. Within three days:

• Note the date and approximate time of the storm. Save weather alerts or local news reports.
• Photograph hailstones beside a coin or ruler if you can do so safely.
• From the ground, photograph dents in gutters, downspouts, window wraps, roof vents, mailboxes and the A/C condenser fins — "collateral damage" that supports the roof claim.
• Photograph granules collecting at downspout outlets.
• Check ceilings and the attic for new stains. Tarp active leaks and keep receipts.

3. Choose an inspector, not a salesman

After a major storm, door-knockers can outnumber residents on some streets. Some are legitimate local companies; many are not. Before anyone climbs your roof:

• Confirm a local business address and Overland Park contractor licensing; ask for proof of liability and workers' comp insurance.
• Read the paperwork. An "inspection agreement" can be a binding contract that assigns your claim or commits you to that contractor.
• Refuse any offer to "waive" or "cover" your deductible. In Kansas, as in most states, that's insurance fraud — and it exposes you, not just the contractor.
• Ask for a written report with photos of each slope showing test squares and marked hits.

A good roofer will tell you when damage is not enough to justify a claim. Filing for minor damage can count against you at renewal.

4. The adjuster visit

Request an adjuster appointment as soon as your contractor's report confirms damage. Have your contractor attend if possible — adjusters and roofers speak the same language, and disagreements get resolved on the roof rather than by email weeks later.

Typical adjusters inspect each slope with test squares (often 10×10 feet) and count functional hail hits — bruises that fracture the mat or displace granules. Ask what threshold they use and ask for the inspection photos.

5. How the money actually flows

On an RCV policy you usually receive payment in stages:

1. First check (ACV): replacement cost minus depreciation minus your deductible. If you have a mortgage, the check may be made out to you and your lender jointly.
2. Work completed: your contractor replaces the roof per the approved scope.
3. Second check (recoverable depreciation): released after you submit the final invoice, typically within a set period after the loss.

Code upgrades — such as ice-and-water shield or drip edge required under current building codes — may be covered by "ordinance or law" coverage. Ask the contractor to list required code items separately so the adjuster can evaluate them.

Upgrading to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles usually costs more than standard architectural shingles, but some carriers offer premium credits for them. Get the discount in writing before you pay for the upgrade.

6. When you disagree

• Request a re-inspection with a different adjuster and submit your contractor's evidence.
• Invoke appraisal if your policy has an appraisal clause; each side picks an appraiser and an umpire resolves differences on amount.
• Contact the Kansas Insurance Department consumer assistance line if you believe a claim is being mishandled.
• Consider a licensed public adjuster for large or complex losses — they work for a percentage of the settlement.

Video: how hail size relates to real roof damage.

Quick checklist

• ☐ Policy deductible type and claim deadline confirmed
• ☐ Storm date and photos saved in one folder
• ☐ Licensed local roofer's written report with photos
• ☐ Claim filed and claim number recorded
• ☐ Adjuster inspection attended, photos requested
• ☐ Scope of loss reviewed line by line
• ☐ Final invoice submitted for recoverable depreciation

This guide is general information, not insurance or legal advice. Policy terms vary; your policy controls.