Is Hail Damage Covered by Home Insurance?

June 24, 2025

Hail can create dents and cracks in your home’s siding or cause holes in roof shingles. It can damage roof vents and flashing. It can crack windows, too. Is hail damage covered by your home insurance?

Most standard home insurance policies in Canada cover hail damage to your home's structure (roof, siding, windows) and contents, including water damage from openings created by hail.

If a hailstorm damages your home, your home insurance should help cover the cost of repair or replacement, as long as hail damage is listed in your policy.

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What’s usually covered by hail damage:

• Damage to the exterior of your home: This includes damage to your roof (shingles, vents, flashing), siding, windows, and doors caused directly by hail impact.
• May cover damage to sheds, decks, fences, and other structures on your property, but check your policy.
• Damage to personal property inside your home: If hail creates an opening in your roof or walls and allows water to enter and damage your belongings, this damage is usually covered by your home insurance policy.
• Additional living expenses: If hail damage makes your home uninhabitable, your policy may cover temporary housing costs, meals, and other necessary expenses while your home is being repaired. This coverage has limits and it’s important to check your policy.
• Wear and tear. Some policies limit coverage if your roof is too old or not properly maintained.
• Cosmetic damage, some insurers won’t pay to fix dents or dings.
• Vehicles, hail damage to your car is not covered by home insurance. You’ll need comprehensive car insurance for that.
• Mobile homes: May have restricted coverage; confirm with your provider.
• Plants and landscaping are usually excluded.

What might not be covered by your home insurance:

Exclusions and limitations:

Note that hail-prone areas may have separate, higher deductibles (e.g., 1-5% of dwelling coverage)

If your home is damaged by hail:

Ensure your safety

Check for any immediate hazards like downed power lines or unstable structures before inspecting the damage caused by hail.

Document the damage

Take clear photos and videos of all the hail damage to your home and any affected personal property. Note the date and time of the hailstorm.

Contact your insurance provider immediately

Report the hail damage to your insurance company or broker as soon as possible. They will guide you through the claims process.

Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage

This might include covering broken windows or putting a tarp over a damaged roof section. Keep records of any expenses related to these temporary repairs, as they might be reimbursable.

Do not make permanent repairs before the insurance adjuster inspects the damage

The adjuster needs to see the damage to assess your claim properly.

Get estimates from reputable contractors

For significant repairs, it's a good idea to get multiple quotes from qualified contractors. Your insurance company may also have a list of preferred contractors.

Do you know what Canadian city gets the most hail?

Calgary is at the heart of Hailstorm Alley. Hailstorm Alley stretches from High River to Calgary, through Red Deer to Lacombe and then westward to Rocky Mountain House. It’s also called Hail Alley, which is described as the region between Edmonton and High River. This area is known for destructive hailstorms and it’s Canada’s No. 1 area for hail.

In British Columbia, the highest hail frequencies, over 7.4 hail days per warm season, are found near the Columbia Mountains in southeastern B.C. This region is largely mountainous and rural, rather than urban.

How to stay safe in a hailstorm

Get shelter in a safe, secure building. Stay away from windows, glass doors or skylights. Bring your children and pets inside immediately. Provide shelter for any livestock.

If you are driving, find a place to safely pull off the road. Protect yourself from shattered glass by facing away from all car windows.

If you are outdoors with no immediate shelter, crouch down, face away from the wind and protect your head and neck with your hands.

What other extreme weather is usually covered by home insurance in Canada?

Windstorms: Damage from high winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes involving roof, siding, or window repairs.

Lightning: Fires or electrical damage due to lightning strikes

Wildfires: Direct fire damage to structures and personal property.

Ice storms: Most standard home insurance policies cover damage caused by ice storms, including roof damage from ice dams and burst pipes, provided the damage is sudden and accidental and not due to neglect or lack of maintenance.

Tornadoes: Yes, most standard home insurance policies cover tornado damage.

To sum it all up

Hailstorms can be violent, causing damages to homes, cars, businesses, and crops. Understanding how your insurance covers hail damage can give you peace of mind. Make sure to read your home insurance policy to understand hail coverage. Hailstorms can be common in Canada from May to October.

5 FAQs

Does car insurance cover hail damage to vehicles?

Hail damage is not automatically included in all auto insurance policies. You need comprehensive insurance for your vehicle to be protected against hail damage. This type of insurance is optional.

What are the common limitations on hail coverage in home policies

If your roof was old or not properly maintained before the hail damage, coverage may be limited or denied. Some insurance companies may only pay a depreciated amount or refuse to replace the entire roof if it was already in poor condition.

Does hail coverage under home insurance include damaged plants and trees?

Home insurance policies usually exclude coverage for damage to outdoor plants, trees, or landscaping caused by hail.

Are there extra costs or endorsements needed for high-risk hail areas?

In areas that are considered high-risk for hail, standard home insurance policies may exclude or limit coverage for windstorm and hail damage. That means homeowners would need to buy additional insurance coverage through an endorsement or a separate policy.

How do policy limits affect payouts for property damaged by hail?

The policy limit is the maximum amount your insurer will pay for a covered loss. If the cost to repair or replace property damaged by hail, you will be responsible for paying the difference.