Hail claims are won at the test square. Every time.

Hail claims are unique in restoration insurance because the damage is mostly cosmetic until it isn’t. A shingle with three small hail dings still functions; the same shingle with mat exposure leaks immediately and shortens the roof’s remaining life by 8–10 years. The line between "still works" and "needs replacement" is exactly where Michigan carriers fight hail claims hardest.

Here is the working playbook our team uses with Grand Rapids homeowners after every major hail event.

The Adjuster Day Checklist

Before the adjuster arrives, you should have:

• NOAA / NWS storm report for the date showing hail size and the affected zone (your zip code)
• Ground-level photos of collateral damage — AC condenser fin dents, dented gutters, holes in window screens, splatter marks on deck boards or siding, broken landscape lights
• Pre-claim roof inspection from a licensed Michigan roofer (not a storm-chaser door-knocker) with documented strikes per square
• Photos of the roof from the ground — from each side of the house, showing visible damage
• Original roofing details — shingle brand and color, age of roof, prior insurance claims on this roof if any
• Any code documentation for upgrades that might be required (ice & water shield, drip edge, ventilation)

How the Test Square Decides Your Claim

Adjusters use a standardized test square — a 10’ x 10’ (100 sq ft) area marked with chalk on each slope of the roof. They count visible hail strikes within the square. Strikes are confirmed as hail (round impact, mat exposure with granule displacement) vs. mechanical damage from foot traffic or aging.

Most Michigan carriers use these thresholds:

The thresholds are not in writing in your policy — they are internal carrier guidelines. Different adjusters within the same carrier sometimes apply slightly different thresholds. Having your roofer present and counting independently keeps the adjuster honest.

The Scope Items Adjusters Frequently Miss

Even when the carrier approves the roof, the initial scope often misses several legitimate line items. Submit these as supplemental:

• Drip edge — required by Michigan code on new roofs; must be replaced when shingles are torn off
• Ice & water shield — required at eaves and valleys per code; almost always missed in initial estimates
• Synthetic underlayment upgrade from felt where original used felt
• Ridge vent — if existing ridge vent is older or damaged, replace with new during reroof
• Pipe boots / vent flashing — new for a code-compliant install
• Ventilation upgrades if the existing roof was under-vented
• Detached structures — shed roofs, garage roofs, gazebo roofs in the same hail zone
• Gutters — if hail damage to gutters is documented, replace as part of the claim
• Gutter guards if originally installed
• Permit fees — required by most Michigan municipalities for a full reroof

The Wind/Hail Deductible Trap

Many Michigan policies, especially newer ones, apply a separate wind/hail deductible that is a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, your effective deductible on a hail claim is $8,000 — not the $1,000 you have on every other peril.

Pull your declarations page and check for this. If you have a percentage wind/hail deductible and your roof damage is borderline (3–7 strikes per square), you may not have a viable claim because the deductible exceeds the repair cost. Knowing this in advance saves the cost of the inspection and the time of the adjuster visit.

A "free roof inspection" from a storm-chaser who magically finds enough damage for full replacement on every house in the neighborhood is a fraud-investigation risk. Use a local roofer with a Michigan license.

Frequently Asked Questions