Does Hail Damage Mean You Need a New Roof? A Missouri Homeowner’s Guide

After a hailstorm in Missouri, the first question most homeowners ask is whether the roof needs replacing. Here is how to tell, what size hail does real damage, and what to expect from an inspection.

Does hail damage mean I need a new roof?

Not always. It depends on hail size, roof age and how many slopes were hit. A few scattered hits can often be repaired. When hail cracks shingles, bruises the mat or strips granules across several slopes, insurers usually treat it as a replacement. An on-roof inspection with photos is the only way to know.

What size hail damages a shingle roof?

Hail about one inch across, the size of a quarter, and larger can damage asphalt shingles. Bigger stones do more damage, and older, brittle shingles crack more easily than new ones. Missouri sees hail well past that size. Here are a few recent storms from National Weather Service and NOAA records:

Area	Date	Largest hail reported	Local details
Springfield	April 28, 2026	4 inches, measured by NWS at its Springfield office	Springfield roof details
Columbia	March 31, 2023	Up to 2 inches, from two storms in about 25 minutes	Columbia roof details
Lake of the Ozarks (Camden County)	Recent years	Over 3 inches	Camdenton roof details

How can I tell if my roof has hail damage?

Start on the ground with the soft metals. Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents and AC fins show how big the hail was at your house. Granules collecting at the bottom of downspouts are another clue. On the roof itself, hail hits look like dark spots where granules are missing, or soft spots that feel bruised.

Please don’t climb a wet or steep roof yourself. A roofer can safely check each slope and photograph every hit.

What happens during a hail damage roof inspection?

A hail damage roof inspection is an on-roof check of every slope. We mark and photograph hail hits, check vents, flashing and skylights, look at gutters and siding, and note the roof’s age. You get the photos and video, plus a plain answer about whether it looks like a repair or a replacement.

Many insurance adjusters mark a 10-by-10-foot test square on each slope and count the hits inside it. Our photos show the same thing, so you can see what the adjuster will see. Read more about how we help after a storm on our storm restoration page.

Should I file an insurance claim for hail damage?

Get an inspection first, then decide. If the roof has real hail damage, a claim can cover most of the cost minus your deductible. If the damage is minor, a claim may not be worth it. Your policy type matters too: our guide to ACV vs RCV insurance explains the difference.

Can a new roof hold up better against hail?

Yes. Impact-rated shingles are tested under UL 2218, and Class 4 is the highest rating. They resist cracking better than standard shingles, and some Missouri insurers offer a discount for them. Ask your insurance agent whether yours does before you choose a shingle.

How do I get a free hail damage inspection?

Call or request a free roof inspection. We have local offices in Springfield, Columbia and Eldon, and we cover the towns around each one. There is no cost and no pressure, and you keep the photos either way.

Sources

• NOAA Storm Events Database (hail reports by county and date)
• NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports
• National Weather Service, Springfield, MO office
• UL 2218: Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials
• Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (homeowners insurance help)