Does Insurance Cover Hail Damage in Wisconsin?
If your roof is 10 years old or older and we’ve had hail in the last year, this is one of the most important questions you can ask:
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage in Wisconsin?
For many homeowners in West Allis, Milwaukee, and throughout Southeastern Wisconsin, the answer is yes — if there is documented storm-related damage.
But insurance does not replace roofs because they are old.
They replace roofs because they are damaged.
Here’s what that means for you.
What Qualifies as Hail Damage?
In Wisconsin, standard homeowners insurance policies typically cover sudden and accidental storm damage, including hail.
Common signs of legitimate hail damage include:
Bruised or fractured shingles
Circular impact marks
Granule loss exposing asphalt
Dented vents and flashing
Dented gutters or downspouts
Soft metal damage on roof components
Hail damage often cannot be seen from the ground — especially on darker shingles or steeper roofs.
That’s why professional inspection and documentation matter.
At Lion Guard Roofing, we provide detailed photo documentation so homeowners can clearly see what we see — no exaggeration, no scare tactics.
Does Roof Age Affect Insurance Approval?
Yes — but not in the way most people think.
Insurance does not automatically replace a roof just because it’s 10+ years old.
However, older roofs are:
More brittle
More vulnerable to hail impact
More likely to show functional damage after a storm
If your roof is over 10 years old and your area experienced measurable hail in Milwaukee County or surrounding communities, it is absolutely worth having it inspected.
Age + storm impact together are often what lead to approval.
What Insurance Adjusters Look For
When an insurance adjuster inspects your roof, they are looking for:
Functional damage (not just cosmetic marks)
Consistent impact patterns across slopes
Soft metal dents that confirm hail activity
Loss of waterproofing integrity
They are not approving claims based on:
Normal aging
Minor surface wear
Sun fading
Cosmetic scuffs
Understanding what adjusters look for helps homeowners make informed decisions before filing a claim.
Should You File a Claim Right Away?
Not always.
This is where we do things differently.
At Lion Guard Roofing, we do not recommend filing a claim unless:
There is documented storm-related damage
The damage affects roof performance
Filing makes financial sense for the homeowner
Sometimes filing a claim:
Isn’t necessary
Isn’t likely to be approved
May not benefit you long term
Our goal is not to push claims.
Our goal is to provide honest assessments.
If your roof does not qualify, we will tell you.
What Happens If Insurance Approves the Claim?
If your claim is approved, insurance typically covers:
Full roof replacement
Removal and disposal
Code-required upgrades
Necessary underlayment and flashing
Homeowners are responsible for their deductible.
We guide West Allis and Milwaukee homeowners through the process to ensure the scope of work matches the insurance approval and that everything is handled correctly.
What If It Doesn’t Qualify?
Then you still gain something valuable: clarity.
In some cases, we may recommend:
Monitoring the roof for future storms
We believe long-term trust is more important than short-term sales.
When Should You Schedule a Roof Inspection?
You should consider a professional inspection if:
Your roof is 10+ years old
Your neighborhood experienced hail in the last 12–18 months
You notice granules in your gutters
Neighbors are having roofs replaced due to storm claims
Hail damage does not improve over time.
The sooner it’s evaluated, the better.
Serving West Allis & Southeastern Wisconsin
Lion Guard Roofing provides professional roof inspections and replacements throughout:
Surrounding Southeastern Wisconsin communities
Check out our Roofing Cost Calculator!
If you’re unsure whether your roof qualifies for insurance replacement, we’re happy to provide a straightforward, pressure-free evaluation.
