Hail damage typically appears as round dents, bruises, or granule loss on shingles, gutters, and metal vents — caused by hailstones striking from above. Wind damage usually shows up as lifted, creased, torn, or completely missing shingles — caused by strong gusts pulling materials away from the roof. Both are typically covered by homeowner's insurance as weather perils, and both often occur together during the same storm.
Knowing the difference matters because the type of damage affects what your insurance claim looks like, which components need to be replaced, and how urgent the repair is. Mr. Roofer provides free inspections across Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky to identify exactly what kind of storm damage your roof has sustained.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on a Roof
Hail damage is caused by frozen precipitation striking the roof surface from above. The size and severity depend on the hailstone size — anything larger than a quarter (about 1 inch) is generally enough to damage asphalt shingles.
Common signs of hail damage include:
- Round dents or dimples on shingles where granules have been knocked off
- Granule loss exposing the black asphalt mat underneath
- Bruised shingles that feel soft or spongy when pressed
- Cracks or splits in the shingle surface from impact
- Dents in metal components — gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing
- Dings on siding, window frames, A/C condenser fins, and other ground-level surfaces
Hail damage is often invisible from the ground, which is why a professional inspection is critical after any hailstorm. Read more about how we identify hail damage during a free inspection.
What Wind Damage Looks Like on a Roof
Wind damage happens when strong gusts get under shingles and lift, crease, or tear them away from the roof. Most asphalt shingles are rated for sustained winds of 60 to 130 mph, but gusts and uplift can damage even properly installed shingles.
Common signs of wind damage include:
- Missing shingles — bare patches where shingles have been torn off entirely
- Lifted or curled shingles that no longer lay flat
- Creased shingles with horizontal fold lines from being bent backward
- Broken seal strips between shingle layers (visible from above)
- Damaged ridge caps along the peaks of the roof
- Loose or detached flashing around chimneys, vents, and walls
- Debris damage from fallen tree limbs or other objects driven by the wind
Unlike hail damage, wind damage is often visible from the ground — especially missing or lifted shingles.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Damage Type | Cause | What It Looks Like | Most Affected | Visible from Ground? | |---|---|---|---|---| | Hail Damage | Hailstones striking from above | Round dents, bruises, granule loss | Shingles, gutters, vents, A/C fins | Often no | | Wind Damage | Strong gusts lifting and tearing materials | Missing, lifted, creased, or torn shingles | Shingles, ridge caps, flashing, fascia | Often yes | | Combined Storm Damage | Both hail and wind together | Mix of dents, bruises, missing pieces, and debris damage | Entire roofing system | Partially | | Wear & Tear | Age and weather over time | Uniform curling, cracking, moss growth | Aging shingles, sealants | Yes |
Will Insurance Cover It?
Both hail damage and wind damage are typically covered by standard homeowner's insurance policies as weather-related perils. Coverage usually includes:
- The full cost of repair or replacement, minus your deductible
- Damaged components beyond the roof (gutters, siding, vents)
- Interior water damage caused by the roof failure
What's generally not covered:
- Normal wear and tear from age
- Cosmetic-only damage with no functional impact
- Damage from lack of maintenance
- Pre-existing damage before the storm event
Coverage varies by carrier and policy. Mr. Roofer's free claims assistance includes documenting the cause of damage so your insurance company can correctly classify the claim. Read our full guide on how to file a roof insurance claim.
What to Do After a Storm
Whether you suspect hail damage, wind damage, or both, the steps are the same:
- . Stay safe — never climb on the roof yourself. Inspect from the ground only.
- . Document what you can see — take photos of any obvious damage, and note the storm date.
- . Schedule a free inspection — Mr. Roofer safely assesses the roof and identifies all damage, including the kind that's invisible from the ground.
- . Review the damage report — we provide a written report with photographs that supports your insurance claim.
- . File the claim with our help — we walk you through the process and meet your adjuster on-site.
Read our complete guide on what to do after storm damage hits your roof.
How Mr. Roofer Identifies the Difference
Our trained inspectors look at every component of your roofing system and document the cause of each piece of damage. This matters because:
- Some damage is clearly hail (round dents with displaced granules)
- Some damage is clearly wind (lifted, creased, or missing shingles)
- Some damage looks like wear and tear but is actually storm-caused
- Some claims are denied because old damage gets confused with new damage
Properly classifying damage from the start strengthens your insurance claim and ensures you get full coverage.
Cities We Serve for Storm Damage Inspections
Mr. Roofer provides free storm damage inspections across the Tri-State area, including Charleston, Huntington, Portsmouth, South Point, Hurricane, Ironton, and 70+ more cities.
Get Your Free Inspection
If a storm has rolled through and you want to know whether your roof has hail damage, wind damage, or both, the first step is a free inspection. We'll tell you exactly what we find and whether it's worth filing an insurance claim.
Schedule your free inspection online or call (740) 263-4357.
Industry Statistics and Sources
- Wind and hail damage account for approximately 34 percent of all homeowner insurance claims in the United States (Insurance Information Institute)
- Hailstones 1 inch in diameter or larger are typically capable of damaging asphalt shingle roofs (NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory)
- Severe convective storms (hail, wind, tornadoes) caused over $50 billion in insured losses in the United States in 2023 (Insurance Information Institute)
