Hail Damage 101: How to Navigate a Window Insurance Claim in North Texas

If you have lived in North Texas for more than a year, you know the drill. The sky turns a bruised shade of green, the sirens wail across Collin and Dallas counties, and suddenly, it sounds like someone is throwing rocks at your roof.

When the storm passes, most homeowners immediately check their roof and their car. But there is a silent victim of DFW hail storms that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late: Your Windows.

As a local expert, I’ve seen countless homeowners miss out on thousands of dollars in legitimate insurance coverage because they didn't know what to look for.

This guide will walk you through identifying hail damage, dealing with adjusters, and ensuring your home is restored correctly.

Step 1: How to Spot "Hidden" Hail Damage

Obvious damage is... well, obvious. If a baseball-sized hailstone went through your living room glass, you know you have a claim.

But in North Texas, "functional damage" is more common and harder to spot. If you ignore it, you risk seal failures and rotting frames down the road.

The 3-Point Inspection Checklist:

1. Check the Screens First: This is the #1 indicator. If your window screens have tears, punctures, or distinct stretch marks, the glass behind them took a beating. Most insurance adjusters use screen damage as a proxy for window damage.

2. Inspect the Glazing Bead: Look at the plastic or vinyl strips that hold the glass to the frame (usually on the exterior). Hail often chips, cracks, or dents these "glazing beads." If these are compromised, water will get in.

3. Look for Seal Failure (Fog): Did your windows suddenly look foggy or milky a few weeks after the storm? The impact of hail can break the hermetic seal of the glass unit without shattering the outer pane. This is often covered by insurance, but you have to connect it to the storm date.

Step 2: The "Storm Chaser" Warning

Before you call your insurance company, you need to know who not to call.

After a major storm in Frisco, McKinney, or Plano, "storm chasers" flood the area. These are out-of-town contractors who knock on doors, promise the moon, collect your insurance check, do sub-par work, and vanish.

Expert Tip: Google the company. If they don’t have a local area code (214, 972, 817, 469) and a physical address in DFW that has existed for more than a year, do not hire them. You need a warranty that is enforceable in Texas, not a PO Box in another state.

Step 3: Filing the Claim (The Right Way)

Dealing with insurance can be intimidating, but you pay your premiums for a reason. Here is the most effective workflow:

1. Call a Local Window Expert Before the Adjuster

This is the secret weapon. Most homeowners call the insurance company first. Instead, call a reputable local window replacement company for a free assessment.

Why? You want an advocate in your corner. If the window pro confirms damage, they can meet the insurance adjuster at your house. It is much harder for an adjuster to deny a claim when a knowledgeable contractor is standing right there pointing out the fracture points.

2. Understand "Matching"

This is a common friction point. If hail destroys two windows on the front of your house, the insurance company is obligated to replace those two windows. They are generally not obligated to replace the other 15 undamaged windows just so they match.

The Solution: Work with a company that can source windows that closely match your existing aesthetic, or use this opportunity to upgrade the entire elevation for consistency.

3. Review the "Scope of Loss"

The adjuster will provide a document called the Scope of Loss. This details what they will pay for. Ensure it includes not just the glass, but the screens, the labor, and any necessary code upgrades required by your specific city (e.g., tempered glass requirements in bathrooms or near doors).

Summary: Don't Wait

Hail damage has a statute of limitations. If you wait a year to file because the damage "didn't look that bad," your claim could be denied.

If your home has been hit by a recent storm, don't guess. Get a professional set of eyes on it.

Need a professional assessment of your windows after the storm? Call 214-380-9628 or Click Here To Schedule A Free Estimate