Still Haven’t Filed That Spring Hail Damage Claim? Here’s Why You’re Running Out of Time

If your home took a hit during one of the spring hail storms that rolled through the St. Louis metro this year, and you haven’t filed an insurance claim yet, this post is for you.

We’ve been having the same conversation with homeowners all summer. “I meant to call my insurance company in April. Then May got busy. Then we went on vacation. Now it’s July and I’m wondering if I missed my chance.”

The honest answer: you might be close to missing it, but you’re probably not too late yet. Here’s what the deadlines actually are, why filing now (today, this week) matters more than most homeowners realize, and what you should do before you call your insurer.

The Filing Deadline Most Homeowners Don’t Know

Most homeowner insurance policies in Missouri require claims to be filed within 12 months of the date of loss. Some policies give as little as 6 months. A few give longer. You need to check your specific policy.

But here’s the thing — even though you may have up to a year, waiting that long is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The closer you get to the filing deadline, the harder your claim becomes to win. Here’s why.

Evidence degrades. Hail damage looks different in July than it looked in April. Granules continue to wash off in summer rain. Soft metals get exposed to more weather. Other damage accumulates from subsequent storms. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove which damage came from which event.

Insurance adjusters get backed up. After a major storm event, insurance companies receive thousands of claims. Adjusters work through them in waves. Filing late means you’re competing for adjuster attention with newer claims, and your case can get pushed down the priority list.

Other storms confuse the issue. St. Louis often sees multiple hail or wind events between spring and late summer. Each one creates documentation complications. If you file in July for an April storm but had a smaller event in June, the insurance company may attribute damage to the wrong event — or argue that pre-existing damage isn’t covered.

Documentation fades. Weather reports, NOAA storm data, and your own memory of “what hail looked like that day” all become less reliable over time. Recent claims have stronger documentation.

The window for a clean, strong claim closes well before the policy deadline.

What “Spring Hail Damage” Actually Looks Like in July

If you’re not sure whether you have damage worth filing, here’s what to look for now.

On your roof:

• Circular bruised impacts on shingles, often roughly the size of a coin
• Granule loss around impact points (you’ll see darker spots where the protective granules washed off)
• Cracked, broken, or chipped shingles
• Asphalt shingles with pitting or “bald” spots
• Damage to ridge caps and ridge vents

On soft metals:

• Dents in metal vents, vent pipes, and flashing
• Dimpled gutters and downspouts
• Damage to roof-mounted equipment (satellite dishes, antennas, HVAC condensers if visible from the roof)

On siding:

• Round or oval dents in aluminum or vinyl siding
• Cracks in vinyl panels, especially on the south or west-facing sides
• Damage to window frames, screens, or window wraps

On other surfaces:

• Damaged outdoor furniture (often the first place hail damage shows)
• Dents on cars, grills, or metal sheds
• Damaged gutters or fascia

If you’re seeing any of this and there was a documented storm in your area between March and June, you likely have a viable claim. Don’t try to diagnose roof damage from the ground — get an actual inspection.

What to Do Before You Call Your Insurance Company

Order of operations matters. Don’t call your insurance company first. Here’s the sequence that gives you the strongest claim.

Step 1: Get a free inspection from a reputable local contractor.

This needs to happen first. A contractor with experience in insurance claims will get on the roof, document damage with photos, identify everything that could legitimately be part of a claim, and give you a written report. This takes 30–45 minutes and costs you nothing.

You want to know what you actually have before you file. Filing on suspicion without confirmed damage just generates a denied claim — which goes on your record.

Step 2: Verify the storm date with NOAA or local weather data.

The storm needs to be documentable. NOAA’s Storm Events Database tracks hail events by date and location. Local news archives, social media weather photos, and dashcam footage all help. A contractor familiar with claims work can help you identify which specific storm date applies to your damage.

Step 3: Pull your insurance policy and review the relevant sections.

Look specifically for: deductible amount (and whether you have a separate wind/hail deductible), claim filing window, whether your policy is RCV (Replacement Cost Value) or ACV (Actual Cash Value), and any specific documentation requirements.

If you have an ACV policy and your roof is older, the payout may be significantly smaller than full replacement cost. This affects whether the claim is worth filing.

Step 4: Document your own evidence.

Take photos. Note the date and what storm you believe caused the damage. If you have receipts for prior roof maintenance or inspections showing the roof was in good condition before the event, gather those. The more documentation you bring in, the smoother the process.

Step 5: Now call your insurance company.

With inspection report in hand, storm date confirmed, and documentation ready, you’re in a strong position to file. Be factual, not emotional. State that you believe you have storm damage from a specific date and would like to file a claim.

What to Watch Out For — Especially in Summer

A few warnings specific to mid-summer claims filing.

Storm chasers are still circulating. Some out-of-state companies that flooded the area after spring storms are still working leads through the summer. If anyone shows up unsolicited at your door offering to “help with your claim,” send them away. Legitimate contractors don’t door-knock for claims work this many months after the event.

Watch the “we’ll absorb your deductible” pitch. This is insurance fraud under Missouri law. Any contractor offering to waive, absorb, or work around your deductible is signaling that they’re willing to break the rules — and they’ll cut corners on your project too.

Don’t sign anything you don’t understand. Some contractors push “assignment of benefits” or “directional assignment” paperwork that gives them control of your claim. This is rarely in your best interest. The simpler approach is to use the contractor as a resource and keep the claim relationship between you and your insurance company.

Beware quick “matching” offers. A reputable contractor doesn’t promise to “match” any other estimate. They quote based on the actual scope of work. If someone is willing to undercut by 20% to get the job, something is off.

What the Process Looks Like From Here

If you file this week, here’s a realistic timeline for resolution:

• Week 1–2: Claim filed, claim number issued, adjuster assigned
• Week 2–4: Adjuster visits, conducts inspection, takes photos
• Week 3–6: Insurance estimate (scope of loss) prepared and sent to you
• Week 4–8: Contractor reviews estimate, identifies any missing items, files supplements if needed
• Week 6–10: Estimate finalized, work scheduled
• Week 8–12: Roof replacement completed
• Week 10–14: Final inspection, depreciation recovery (if applicable on RCV policy), case closed

That timeline assumes a straightforward claim. Complex cases or those with multiple supplements can take longer. Filing now gives you a realistic shot at a new roof installed before fall storms arrive in October.

What If Your Claim Gets Denied?

Initial claim denials happen. Common reasons include:

• Adjuster didn’t find sufficient damage (sometimes legitimate, sometimes not)
• Storm date couldn’t be verified
• Damage attributed to wear and tear rather than the event
• Policy exclusions or limitations applied

Denial is not the end. You have options:

Request a re-inspection. Bring your contractor’s documentation. Often a second look with better evidence reverses the decision.

File a supplemental claim. If specific items were missed or undervalued, supplements add them to the scope.

Hire a public adjuster. Public adjusters work for you, not the insurance company. They’re licensed by the state and take a percentage of the settlement (usually 10–15%) but can dramatically improve outcomes on complex denials.

Consult an attorney. For major disputes, attorneys who specialize in property insurance claims can intervene. This is usually only worth it for significant denials on real damage.

File a complaint with the Missouri Department of Insurance. The state regulates insurance practices and can investigate bad-faith handling.

Most reasonable denials get reversed or partially reversed when challenged with proper documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

My roof is 18 years old — will insurance still cover it?

If the damage is from a covered event, yes. Roof age affects the payout structure on ACV policies (older roofs depreciate more), but on RCV policies, you generally get full replacement cost regardless of age. The damage just has to be from the covered event, not from age.

Can I file a claim even if the damage seems minor?

You should at least get an inspection. What looks minor from the ground can be significant on closer inspection. And small damage compounds over time — what’s minor in July becomes a leak in November.

Will my insurance rates go up?

A single weather-related claim typically doesn’t cause a major premium increase. Multiple claims in a short window or weather claims combined with liability claims can. There’s no guarantee — every carrier handles it differently.

How do I know if my contractor is being honest about damage?

Reputable contractors document everything with photos. If you ask for the inspection photos and they hesitate, that’s a red flag. Legitimate inspections produce real documentation. Also: get a second opinion if anything feels off. Two independent contractors should reach similar conclusions about real damage.

What if I had the roof inspected after the storm and was told it was fine?

Reinspect now. Hail damage sometimes evolves — granule loss accelerates over time, fractures open up, secondary damage appears. A second look from a different contractor with current eyes is worth it.

Don’t Let the Window Close

If you’ve been putting off filing, this is the time to act. A free 30-minute inspection tells you whether you have a claim worth filing and gives you everything you need to file successfully.

Covenant Contracting offers free storm damage inspections across the St. Louis metro — Fenton, Wildwood, Ballwin, Chesterfield, St. Peters, Grover, Valley Park, and surrounding areas. We work with insurance claims constantly and know how to document them properly. No pressure, no hard sell — just an honest assessment and the documentation you need. You can see past work in our project gallery.

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