Hail damage on a Calgary roof can usually be repaired when it is limited to a few shingles, vents or flashing. When hail has bruised or cracked shingles across whole slopes, the roof normally needs replacing, and that is often what a home insurance claim pays for. The first step is the same either way: call your insurer before any repair work, then have the roof inspected by a roofer who will show you photos of what they find.
Calgary sits in one of the most hail-prone parts of Canada. The hailstorm of August 5, 2024 caused nearly $2.8 billion in insured losses, the second-costliest event in Canada's history according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The 2020 and 2021 storms caused over $1.2 billion and $700 million. This page covers what hail does to a roof, how a repair differs from a replacement, and how to handle the claim.
Will hail damage my roof?
Hail can damage any roof. Whether it does depends on the size of the stones, the wind behind them, and the age and type of your roofing. Pea-sized hail rarely harms a sound roof. Stones the size of a golf ball or larger, driven by wind, can crack shingles, knock the protective granules off, dent metal vents and split older, brittle shingles. Damage is not always visible from the ground, so a roof that looks fine can still be hurt.
What hail damage looks like on asphalt shingles:
- Bruises: dark, round spots where granules have been knocked off. They can feel soft when pressed.
- Cracks and splits: breaks in the shingle, often near the edges.
- Granules in the eavestroughs: a heavy pile of grit at the downspouts after a storm.
- Dents in metal: vents, flashing, eavestroughs and downspouts show hail hits clearly, which is why a roofer often checks them first.
Older shingles lose flexibility and crack more easily. A roof near the end of its life may suffer far more from the same storm than a newer one next door.
Can hail damage on a roof be fixed?
Yes, when the damage is limited. A roofer can replace individual shingles, reseal or replace dented vents and flashing, and patch small areas. Calgary roofing businesses publish small repairs at roughly $150 to $1,000. Repair stops making sense when the damage is spread across a slope, when the shingles are too old to match, or when the granule loss means the shingles will wear out early. Then replacing the slope or the whole roof is the honest answer.
Matching is the usual problem. Shingle colors and styles change over the years, so new shingles on a ten-year-old roof can look patched. If your insurer is paying, ask how they handle a repair that cannot be matched.
Hail also breaks the seal between shingles. A shingle that is still in place but no longer sealed can lift in the next chinook wind and let water in. That is why an inspection after a big storm is worth having even when you see no leak.
Does a roof with hail damage need to be replaced?
Not always. A roof needs replacing when hail has cracked or bruised shingles across most of a slope, when the roof is already old, or when the damage has reached the decking underneath. A few broken shingles on a young roof are a repair. Your insurer's adjuster decides what the policy covers, and the roofer's inspection report with photos is what you give them to make that decision well.
If you do replace, Calgary roofing businesses publish full replacements with architectural shingles at around $8,000 to $20,000 for most homes. Impact-resistant shingles cost more, about $12,000 to $22,000 installed by the same published figures. See the full breakdown in roof replacement cost in Calgary.
Are impact-resistant shingles worth it in Calgary?
They can be. Impact-resistant shingles are tested under UL 2218, the standard insurers and manufacturers use, and Class 4 is the highest rating. They cost more up front, typically a few thousand dollars on a whole roof according to published Calgary prices. Some insurers offer a discount on the home premium for a Class 4 roof. Ask your own insurer what they offer before you choose, because the discount, if any, is what pays the extra back.
An impact-resistant roof is not hail-proof. Very large hail can still damage it. What it changes is how much hail it takes before shingles crack.
What should I do right after a hailstorm?
Call your insurer first, then book an inspection. The City of Calgary advises contacting your home insurance provider before you do any repair work on your property. Stay off the roof, photograph what you can see from the ground, and deal with any water coming inside. Then check any roofer's business licence before you sign anything. In order:
- Stay off the roof. Wet shingles and hidden damage make it dangerous.
- Take photos from the ground: dented eavestroughs, vents, siding, and anything that fell.
- Stop active leaks inside: move belongings, catch water, and note where it comes in.
- Get an inspection with photos of each slope, so you and the adjuster see the same thing.
- Check the business before you sign. The City says contractors need a valid City of Calgary business licence, and you can call 311 to confirm one.
Most repair or replacement work with the same kind of roofing does not need a City permit. Changing material, for example from shingles to clay tile, does.
Questions people ask
Is it worth making an insurance claim for hail damage?
It often is when the damage is wide enough to need a slope or a full roof, because that work costs thousands of dollars. For a few broken shingles, the repair may cost less than your deductible. Get an inspection report and a written repair quote first, then compare it with your deductible and talk to your insurer. They decide what is covered under your policy.
How much does it cost to check a roof for hail damage?
Many Calgary roofing businesses inspect for hail damage free of charge, according to their own published offers, because the inspection leads to the repair quote. An independent inspection, separate from the company doing the work, usually has a fee. Ask before the visit whether there is a charge and whether you get photos and a written report.
Can hail dents be popped out of a roof?
No. Dents in metal roof vents, flashing or eavestroughs are usually replaced rather than popped out, because the metal is stretched and the coating may be cracked. Dents on a metal roof that are only cosmetic may be left, depending on your policy. Shingles cannot be un-bruised: a damaged shingle is replaced.
How soon after hail should I get my roof inspected?
As soon as you can book it, and before the next heavy rain or snow. Hail damage that breaks shingle seals or cracks shingles can let water in weeks later. Insurance policies also set time limits for reporting damage, so check yours. After a big storm, roofers get busy fast, so book early.
Is $30,000 too much for a roof?
For most Calgary homes with asphalt shingles, yes. Published Calgary prices put most architectural shingle replacements at $8,000 to $20,000. A large or complex roof can pass $30,000, and premium materials like standing seam metal can cost $22,000 to $40,000 or more. If a shingle quote is near $30,000, ask what drives it and get a second quote.
Sources
- Insurance Bureau of Canada, August hailstorm in Calgary results in nearly $2.8 billion in insured damage (September 2024)
- City of Calgary, What to do about damage from storms
- Asphalt shingle, Wikipedia (UL 2218 impact classes)
- Published prices of three Calgary roofing businesses, checked October 2026
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