Hail Damage & Insurance Claims

Calgary sits in what the City calls hail alley, the part of Canada that sees the most hail. The June 13, 2020 storm caused almost $1.2 billion in insured damage across Calgary, Airdrie and Rocky View County, and the August 5, 2024 storm about $2.8 to 3 billion, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Roofs take the worst of it: bruised and cracked shingles, lost granules, dented vents and flashings, and split eavestroughs.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says standard home insurance policies cover hail and wind damage. Photograph the damage, report it to your insurer promptly, and expect a proof-of-loss form. The City's advice is to contact your insurer before you do any repair work. Your insurer or its adjuster decides what is covered; a roofer's inspection report helps you check that the adjuster saw everything.

After every big storm, contractors knock on doors. The IBC advises confirming who a contractor is, who they work for, and whether your insurer referred them before you authorize any work. In Alberta, a business that takes a deposit before the job is finished must hold a prepaid contracting licence from Service Alberta, door-to-door salespeople must carry ID with that licence number, and a contract signed at your door can be cancelled for any reason within 10 days of receiving your copy.

If you are replacing the roof anyway, ask about impact-resistant Class 4 shingles. The City of Calgary says they reduce the chance of damage 15 times and pay for themselves in about five years on average, and the IBC says many insurers offer premium savings for hail-resistant materials. The City's Resilient Roofing rebate is closed.