Hail Damage Roof Inspection Checklist for Missouri Homeowners

Northwest Missouri sits in one of the most active hail corridors in the United States. The St. Joseph area regularly sees hailstorms from late spring through early fall, and a single storm can deposit hail large enough to cause significant roof damage across hundreds of homes in a single afternoon.

The problem: most hail damage isn’t visible from the street. Homeowners drive home, see no missing shingles, and assume everything is fine — while their insurance claim window ticks down and small damage compounds into larger problems.

Here’s what you should actually do after a significant hailstorm.

Safety first: don’t get on your roof. After a storm, wet roofing is extremely slippery and potentially compromised. Do your ground-level checks from the yard. Let a professional conduct the roof-level inspection.

Ground-Level Inspection Checklist

From the ground, walk around your home and look for these signs that hail was large enough to cause damage:

• Dents or bruising on aluminum gutters and downspouts
• Dents on window screens, AC unit fins, or metal trim
• Marks on wood trim or fascia where paint has chipped
• Granule accumulation (gritty, sand-like material) in gutters and at downspout bases
• Missing, cracked, or displaced shingles visible from the ground
• Damaged ridge cap (the shingles along the peak of the roof)

If you find dents on your gutters or AC unit, the hail was large enough to damage your roof — even if the damage isn’t visible from below.

What a Roof-Level Inspection Looks For

This is what your roofing contractor will check. You shouldn’t attempt this yourself — here’s what we’re looking for so you understand what the inspection involves:

• Circular bruising or soft spots on shingles (press lightly — damaged asphalt will feel soft)
• Granule loss in circular or random patterns across the shingle field
• Cracked or split shingles from direct impact
• Dented or punctured lead flashings around vents and pipe boots
• Bent or damaged metal step flashing at wall intersections
• Hail hits on exposed metal — ridge vents, valley metal, drip edge

After You Identify Damage: 5 Steps to Take

1. Document everything — date, time, weather service data

Note the date and time of the storm. The National Weather Service and weather apps will have hail reports you can reference. Download these for your insurance file. Take photos of all visible damage immediately.

2. Call a local roofing contractor for a free inspection

Call AND Roofing or another trusted local contractor for a professional inspection before you call your insurance company. Understanding the scope of damage helps you navigate the claim accurately. This inspection is always free — no obligation.

3. File your claim within a reasonable timeframe

Missouri allows up to one year from the date of loss to file a storm claim under most policies. Don’t delay unnecessarily, but don’t rush to file before you have a documented scope of damage either. A few days won’t matter — your contractor’s documentation will.

4. Be present for the adjuster inspection — or have your contractor there

When the insurance adjuster comes, having your roofing contractor present makes a significant difference. AND Roofing regularly attends adjuster inspections and points out all covered damage that adjusters might miss. Request this service before the adjuster visit.

5. Review the approved scope before signing anything

Once the claim is approved, review the scope with your contractor line by line. Make sure all damaged components are included: shingles, gutters, downspouts, flashings, and any other covered items. If the scope is incomplete, request a supplement.

Watch Out for Storm Chasers

After major hail events, out-of-state contractors flood the St. Joseph area. They knock on doors, pressure homeowners to sign assignment-of-benefits agreements, and often disappear before the work is done or disputes arise. AND Roofing is based in St. Joseph and has been here before the storm — and will be here after.

Get a Free Storm Inspection from AND Roofing

AND Roofing documents damage thoroughly, attends adjuster meetings on your behalf, and gives you an honest assessment of what your roof needs — with no pressure and no obligation. Schedule a free inspection or call 816-724-1766.

Related reading: 7 Signs You Need a New Roof · Metal vs. Asphalt Shingles in the Midwest