Step 1: Stay Safe First

Before you grab a ladder or head up to your roof, make sure the storm has completely passed. Hail can be followed by lightning, strong winds, or flash flooding — all of which pose serious safety risks. Once the weather is clear, do a quick walk-around of your property from the ground. Look for obvious signs of impact on your roof, siding, windows, gutters, and any outdoor structures like sheds or fences.

Document everything you can see from a safe distance. Take photos and short videos on your phone. Capture wide shots of your property and close-ups of individual damage points. This initial documentation is valuable — even before a professional inspection takes place.

Step 2: Check for Interior Damage

Hail damage often starts on the roof but doesn’t stay there. After a significant hailstorm, go through your home and look for signs of water intrusion: stains on ceilings, damp walls near windows, or water pooling in your attic. Roof damage can allow moisture to seep in quickly, so catching interior leaks early prevents secondary damage that can be costly and complicated to claim later.

If you find active leaks, place buckets to catch the water and take photos before you clean anything up. Do not discard damaged materials — your insurance company will want to see them.

Step 3: Notify Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible after a hailstorm. Most homeowner policies require you to report damage in a timely manner — delays can sometimes be used by insurance companies to complicate or reduce your claim. When you call, keep the conversation factual. Describe what happened, when it happened, and what visible damage you’ve observed. Do not guess at repair costs or accept any preliminary settlement offers at this stage.

Ask your insurer for a claim number and the name of the adjuster who will be handling your case. Write this information down.

Step 4: Do Not Sign Anything Right Away

After filing your claim, an insurance adjuster — employed by the insurance company — will schedule an inspection. Remember: this adjuster works for the insurer, not for you. Their job is to assess damage in accordance with the insurance company’s interests. They may miss items, use lower repair estimates, or exclude certain types of damage from their report.

Do not sign any settlement agreement until you’ve had an independent professional review the damage and the estimate.

Step 5: Consider Hiring a Public Adjuster

A public adjuster is a licensed professional who works exclusively on your behalf — not the insurance company’s. At Red Line Adjusting, we inspect your property thoroughly, document all visible and hidden hail damage, review your policy for applicable coverage, and negotiate directly with the insurance company to help you receive a fair settlement.

Hail damage, in particular, is frequently undervalued by insurance adjusters. Granule loss on shingles, impact craters on gutters, and compromised flashing are easy to miss unless you know what to look for. Our team does this every day across Illinois, and we know what fair compensation looks like.

What Does Hail Damage Actually Look Like?

One of the most common misconceptions about hail damage is that you’d easily see it. In reality, many types of hail damage are subtle and require a trained eye:

• Granule loss on asphalt shingles (looks like bare patches or sand in gutters)
• Circular dents or cracks on shingles
• Dented aluminum gutters, downspouts, or fascia
• Cracked or broken skylights and window screens
• Damage to HVAC units, vents, and roof flashing

These details matter — because they all affect how much your insurance claim is worth.

Illinois Hail Season: When to Be Extra Vigilant

In Illinois, hailstorms are most common between April and September, with peak activity in May and June. The Chicagoland area, DuPage County, and surrounding communities like Naperville, Joliet, and Elgin regularly experience severe hailstorms. If you haven’t had your roof inspected recently, it may be worth scheduling a free property review — especially after any storm with reported hail activity.

Final Thoughts

Hail damage is serious, and the insurance claim process can be overwhelming if you’re going through it alone. The good news is that you don’t have to. Whether you’ve already filed a claim or are just starting the process, a public adjuster can help make sure you’re treated fairly every step of the way.

📞 Need help with your insurance claim? Contact Red Line Adjusting for a FREE consultation: (331) 684-0470 | redlineadjusting.com