Quick answer: After hail, photograph any damage and note the storm date, get a documented roof inspection, and report the claim to your insurer yourself within your policy's deadline. Your adjuster decides what's covered. In Texas, you must pay your own deductible, and roofers are prohibited from waiving it or negotiating your claim. If you replace your roof, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can qualify you for an insurance discount.
This guide is general information for homeowners, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy wording controls your coverage. For questions about your specific policy, talk to your agent or the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439.
How often does it hail in Cibolo?
Cibolo sits in one of the most active hail regions in the country. Storm reports compiled from NOAA Storm Prediction Center data since 2004 show most hail near Cibolo falls between March and June, with April and May producing the largest stones. Notable local events include 1.5-inch hail reported in Cibolo on March 21, 2022, and 1.5-inch hail near Cibolo and Schertz on May 2, 2025. Strong straight-line winds are also common; Randolph Air Force Base recorded a 67 mph gust during the April 2024 storms.
Not every hailstorm damages roofs. Pea-sized hail rarely does. Hail around one inch in diameter (quarter-sized) and larger can damage asphalt shingles, especially older ones, and larger hail can dent metal and crack tiles. Wind speed, hail density and the age of your roof all change the outcome, which is why neighbors on the same street can get different results.
How to identify hail damage
What you can check safely from the ground
- Dents or spatter marks on gutters, downspouts and metal roof vents
- Dents on AC condenser fins, mailboxes and patio furniture
- Torn window screens and chipped paint on siding and fences
- Shingle granules piled at downspout outlets
- Pieces of shingle in the yard or on the driveway
These "collateral" signs tell you hail of a meaningful size fell at your address. They don't prove your roof is damaged, but they are worth photographing with the date.
What a roofer looks for on the roof
- Bruises: round, dark spots where granules were knocked off, often feeling soft like a bruised apple.
- Mat fractures: cracks in the fiberglass mat under the surface that let water in over time.
- Random pattern: real hail damage is scattered across a slope, not in neat rows or only in one spot.
- Directional pattern: slopes facing the storm usually take more hits than sheltered slopes.
- Soft metal marks: dents in ridge vents, pipe jacks and flashing that confirm hail size on the roof.
Hail damage is easily confused with normal wear such as blistering, manufacturing defects, foot traffic scuffs or old granule loss. An honest inspection tells you which is which. That matters because filing a claim for damage that isn't there can still count against you with some insurers.
The first 48 hours after a storm
- Stay safe. Don't climb onto the roof. Watch for downed power lines and damaged trees.
- Document. Take photos and video of hail on the ground if it's still there, next to a coin or ruler for scale, plus any visible damage. Write down the date and approximate time.
- Stop active leaks. Call a roofer for an emergency tarp. Your policy likely requires reasonable steps to prevent further damage. Keep the invoice.
- Don't sign anything under pressure. Door-knockers often ask you to sign an "inspection agreement" or "contingency agreement" that can commit you to a contractor. Read it carefully or wait.
- Get a documented inspection from a local roofer you've chosen.
- Check your policy for the claim-reporting deadline and your wind and hail deductible. Many Texas policies require damage to be reported within a set window after the storm, often one year.
How a Texas roof claim works, step by step
- You report the claimContact your insurer by phone, app or website. Give the date of loss and a description. You'll receive a claim number.
- The insurer acknowledges and investigatesTexas insurers generally must acknowledge a claim and begin their investigation within set timeframes under the Texas Insurance Code's prompt payment rules.
- The adjuster inspectsAn adjuster, either employed by the insurer or an independent firm, inspects the roof. You can ask your roofer to be present to point out the damage they documented.
- You receive a decision and estimateIf approved, the insurer sends a "scope of loss" listing what's covered and the dollar amounts. Read it line by line and compare it with your roofer's report.
- First paymentOn replacement-cost policies, the first check is often the actual cash value minus your deductible. If you have a mortgage, the check may be made out to both you and your lender.
- The work is completedYour roofer pulls the permit and completes the job according to the approved scope and local code.
- Final paymentYou submit the final invoice and proof of completion to recover held-back depreciation, if your policy allows it.
What if the scope looks wrong?
If you think something was missed, you can ask your insurer to re-inspect, send additional photos or documentation, and ask questions in writing. Your roofer can provide factual documentation of what's on the roof. For disputes about the amount of loss, many policies include an appraisal process. You can also hire a licensed public adjuster or an attorney to represent you. What you can't do is have your roofing contractor negotiate for you. That's prohibited under Texas law.
RCV, ACV, depreciation and deductibles explained
| Term | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement cost value (RCV) | The cost to replace the roof with new materials of like kind and quality. | $16,000 for a new architectural shingle roof |
| Depreciation | A reduction for the age and wear of the old roof. | $6,000 on a 15-year-old roof |
| Actual cash value (ACV) | RCV minus depreciation. | $16,000 − $6,000 = $10,000 |
| Deductible | The amount you pay, taken from the settlement. Texas wind/hail deductibles are often a percentage of dwelling coverage. | 1% of $300,000 = $3,000 |
| Recoverable depreciation | On RCV policies, the held-back depreciation paid after the work is done. | $6,000 released after completion |
In this example, on an RCV policy you'd receive $7,000 first ($10,000 ACV minus the $3,000 deductible), then $6,000 after completion, for $13,000 total toward a $16,000 roof. You pay the $3,000 deductible. On an ACV-only policy, you'd receive $7,000 and nothing more.
Texas laws that protect homeowners
You must pay your deductible
Texas Business and Commerce Code §27.02, strengthened by House Bill 2102 effective September 1, 2019, makes it an offense for a contractor to waive, rebate, absorb or otherwise offset your insurance deductible, or to advertise that they will. Contracts of $1,000 or more involving insurance proceeds must include a notice that you're responsible for paying the deductible, and insurers can ask you for proof of payment. Violations can be reported to the Texas Attorney General.
Why it matters: a contractor who "eats" your deductible has to make that money back somewhere, usually by inflating the claim or cutting corners on materials and installation.
Your roofer can't be your adjuster
Texas Insurance Code §4102.163 prohibits anyone who provides or may provide contracting services on a property from acting as a public adjuster on that property or advertising to adjust claims. The Texas Department of Insurance treats a website as advertising. So a roofer may document damage, write an estimate and explain findings, but should not negotiate coverage with your insurer or claim to represent you.
Where to get help
The Texas Department of Insurance consumer line (800-252-3439) can answer questions about your policy and the claims process and accepts complaints about insurers.
Spotting storm chasers
After big storms, some contractors travel to affected areas, collect deposits and move on. Watch for these warning signs:
- Offers to pay, waive or "work with" your deductible
- Claims that they "work for your insurance company" or will handle the claim for you
- Pressure to sign on the spot, especially "just so we can inspect"
- No local physical address, or an address that turns out to be a hotel or mailbox store
- Out-of-state license plates and phone numbers with no local track record
- Requests for large upfront payments before materials are delivered
- Reluctance to pull a City of Cibolo permit
A good local roofer will still be answering the same phone number when you need warranty service years later.
Class 4 shingles and the TDI PC068 form
If your roof is being replaced, it's the perfect moment to consider impact-resistant shingles. UL 2218 rates roofing materials from Class 1 to Class 4 based on steel-ball impact testing; Class 4 is the highest rating. Since 1998, Texas has required insurers writing homeowners policies to offer a premium credit for qualifying impact-resistant roofing.
Key points to know:
- The credit isn't automatic. You have to request it and provide documentation.
- Each insurer sets its own discount amount, so ask your agent before you choose materials.
- Your contractor completes TDI Form PC068, the Impact-Resistant Roofing Installation form, identifying the product and its UL 2218 classification. Keep the original and send a copy to your insurer.
- Some insurers pair the credit with a cosmetic damage exclusion. Ask whether yours does.
We install Class 4 shingles and complete PC068 on qualifying installations. See our Class 4 shingle service for details, or our roof replacement cost guide for pricing.
Hail claim FAQs
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Texas?
It depends on your policy. Many Texas homeowners policies require you to report wind or hail damage within a set window after the storm, commonly one year. Check your policy and report as soon as you know about the damage.
Will filing a hail claim raise my insurance rates?
It can, depending on your insurer and claim history. Weather claims are generally treated differently from other claims, but policies vary. Ask your agent, and get an inspection first so you only file when there is real damage.
Can my roofer talk to my insurance adjuster?
Your roofer can be present during the adjuster's inspection and explain what they found on the roof. Under Texas law, a contractor cannot negotiate your claim or act as your public adjuster.
What if my insurance only pays to repair part of the roof?
Insurers sometimes approve a repair of damaged slopes instead of a full replacement. If matching materials aren't available or the damage is more widespread than the scope reflects, you can request a re-inspection and submit additional documentation.
Do I have to use the roofer my insurance company recommends?
No. You can choose your own contractor. Pick one you trust, with a local address, insurance, and a permit-first approach.