How long do you have to claim hail damage on your roof?

Discovery does not restart the clock

If hail hit your roof last spring and you notice it this winter, the date of loss is still last spring, and deadlines that run from the date of loss, such as the suit limitation, have been ticking all along. Report as soon as you find the damage, and be ready to explain why you did not see it sooner; roof bruising is rarely visible from the ground.

Find the numbers in your policy

• Duties after loss: the notice requirement, usually prompt notice.
• Suit against us: the time to file a lawsuit, often two years in Georgia policies.
• Loss settlement: the time to repair or replace, or to tell the insurer you intend to claim replacement cost.
• Endorsements: some wind and hail endorsements add their own reporting windows.

If anything is unclear, ask your agent to confirm the deadlines in writing.

Older hail damage is a harder claim

Old bruises weather until they resemble general wear, and if more than one storm has passed, the adjuster may ask which one you mean. Expect closer scrutiny and possibly an engineer. Dated photos, weather data for the storm date and collateral dents that match the hail size help most. See date of loss and engineer inspections.

Selling or refinancing?

A buyer's inspector who finds hail damage can stall a sale. Finishing the claim first is usually easier than negotiating around it.