How Insurance Adjusters Assess Hail Damage on Roofs
Understanding how insurance adjusters assess hail damage can help homeowners know what to expect after a storm. Roofing professionals and insurance companies use a standardized method to evaluate damage efficiently and consistently.
What Is a “Square” in Roofing?
In roofing terms, a “square” equals 100 square feet, or 10 feet by 10 feet. For example, if a home has 3,000 square feet of roof area, it is considered a 30-square roof. This measurement allows adjusters and contractors to estimate materials, labor, and damage accurately.
What Is a Test Square?
To assess hail damage, adjusters do not count every hail impact across the entire roof. Instead, they draw a 10 ft x 10 ft test square on each roof slope. Within that test square, the adjuster counts visible hail hits that meet the insurance company’s damage criteria. The number of hits is then multiplied by the total number of squares on that slope. This method saves time while still providing a reliable estimate of overall damage.
How Hail Damage Requirements Have Changed
Insurance standards have evolved over time. In 1989, most insurance companies required three hail hits in a test square to total a roof. Around 1995, that requirement increased to six hits, following major events such as Hurricane Andrew in Florida and the Northridge Earthquake in California.
Current Insurance Standards
Today, most insurance companies require eight hail hits per test square to approve a full roof replacement. Allstate currently requires ten hits, making inspections more demanding than ever.
Because these standards vary by carrier, working with an experienced roofing professional is critical. A knowledgeable inspector can identify legitimate damage, document it properly, and help ensure the roof is evaluated fairly.
For accurate hail damage inspections and insurance claim support, trust Mastercraft Roofing LLC.
